Deforestation - Tragedy in Nature

I have been keeping an eye on a certain woodland over the past 15 years and despairing over its slow and progressive destruction.  What was once a lush and healthy forest has slowly dwindled.  Not only has the acreage of this once pristine land shrank substantially, but the remaining trees have thinned out - many becoming sick and losing their color.



Aerial view

 The cause of this ecological disaster has remained a mystery.  Logging outfits have clear-cut the area on a number of occasions.  However, the forest has always grown back without noticeable differences.  Even more curious, this particular tree species typically grows in groves as a single living entity - much like Aspen trees.  In this instance the edges of the forest have born the main brunt of the damage without any impact on the central areas.  Furthermore, this species has also been commonly known to experience massive die-off starting in the central forest, then spreading to the edges.  We see the exact opposite pattern in this case.



Satellite imagery with informational overlay

 Of particular interest is the nature of the ground left behind by the retreating forest.  The land within the remaining forest, as well as the land that has never been wooded, remains chemically similar to its state 15 years ago.  By comparison, the land where the die-off is occurring now seeps oil at a steady rate.  This region has always been oil producing, with seeps sometimes clogging, building pressure, and then exploding in destructive geysers.  But the newly prolific rate at which oil is produced in this particular strip of land remains inexplicable and almost certainly hazardous to the remaining flora.


Oil slicks reflecting light without artificial magnification.



Oil slicks as they appear at 100x magnification.  Oil type has been identified as a "light crude".

Climate scientists have reviewed this data and pointed out that it is yet more definitive proof that mankind's actions are detrimentally impacting the climate at an increasing rate.  Most scientists now agree that this type of deforestation can only result from the reckless expansion of industry.  Of course there is a vocal fringe minority within the scientific community that disagrees with this interpretation.

Said one researcher who wished to remain anonymous, "The volcanic feature located in the equatorial region of this particular landmass is a known producer of methane and hydrogen sulfide in quantities that are far more likely to impact this forest than industrial carbon dioxide pollutants.  People need to have some common sense and stop turning every ecological shift into a doomsday scenario!  It's likely that the massive geologic pressures that produce violent gaseous eruptions to the South, may also be forcing oil out onto the surface in the North."  Mainstream scientists who are familiar with this claim have dismissed it as utter nonsense.

Regardless of cause, there can be little doubt that this once beautiful woodland has seen far better days.  Ten years ago the region's tourist traffic disappeared virtually overnight when this territory was claimed as the sovereign property of another government.  However, many locals believe that even if those restrictions were relaxed, interest in the area would be far less than in its aesthetic heyday. 

It appears that there is little that can be done here other than to watch, hope, and pray.  But for those who are driven to action by these revelations, donations for research into methods for rehabilitating the forest may be sent to ryno.cracker@gmail.com.  Paypal is preferred.