Do you know what bush burning entails and how its affect your environment? What are the advantages and disadvantages of bush burning? This are some of the questions that needs to be given clear knowledge and understanding to those who are looking for answers of such.
This article will discuss all you need to know about bush burning and it’s advantages and disadvantages.
In Africa, bush burning is considered to be a means of managing fuel resources for the land. Bush burning is a process that consists of a controlled fire which rids forests, savannas and other vegetation of unwanted tree species and undergrowth. Bush fires are also used as ways to control fires from spreading onto agricultural land.
The advantages and disadvantages of this practice depend on the intention behind it and its effects on the environment.
What Is Bush Burning?
Bush burning can also be called ‘land clearing’, ‘slash and burn’ and ‘cultivation’. This is a process of clearing land to prepare it for agriculture. This may include removing small trees, shrubs, grasses and other low-lying bushes which are known as ‘vegetation’.
Bush burning is a technique of agricultural tillage which involves the cutting down of trees and their branches, lying on the ground. These branches are then set on fire to let them burn with the rest of the tree trunks. The process is repeated with each tree or bush to be removed in preparation for crop planting.
Bush burning offers advantages over other methods like hand-weeding or using herbicides because it is relatively cheap. This is because the materials for burning are already on site and are free. Bush burning is also the quickest method to prepare land for agricultural use. It can be used on a small or large scale, depending on the need and available resources.
However, this practice can cause adverse effects because of smoke pollution and the release of greenhouse gases like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. This may cause respiratory problems or contribute to global warming if it is done in areas with a poor regeneration capacity.
Burning clears the land of all the undesirable vegetation and removes fuel for fires. This reduces fire risk and preserves biodiversity.
The main advantage of using bush burning is that it produces clear land ready for agriculture or livestock grazing. It helps prevent forests from becoming overgrown and prevents the formation of undergrowth which can be a fire risk.
Bush burning also allows farmers to prepare land quicker, with less labour. However, this may not be beneficial to other species of wildlife as these areas will be left bare while they are prepared for agriculture.
However, bush burning increases fires from natural causes. This can lead to increased costs for man and property due to the damage caused by fires.
It also causes smoke pollution from bush burning. This is seen as a negative effect on the local environment and on the health of farm animals and land workers. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that this smoke pollution can even affect health in other nearby towns or cities.
Greenhouse gas emissions are also produced during this process which may lead to global warming if not managed well. Some of these greenhouse gases that are emitted include carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour.
The FAO reports that it is difficult to control the amount of gases being released in burning land, which can be harmful for human health.
The FAO also notes that land management practices including the use of fertilizers and pesticides may increase methane emissions, which can have adverse effects on local vegetation.
Apart from this, smoke can coat the atmosphere in pollutants, making it hazy and smoggy. This reduces visibility for humans and animals and increases respiratory problems for farmers and others.
Water pollution caused by bush burning can also cause problems with livestock if they are not properly protected against it. This can cause waterlogging or even dehydration in animals, which may lead to death if left untreated.
Moving forward, now that we have known what bush burning entails, let’s look into the next topic which is the advantages and disadvantages of bush burning.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Bush Burning
Here, we will be discussing about the advantages and disadvantages of bush burning but firstly, we will be talking about the advantages of bush burning and then its disadvantages.
Advantages Of Bush Burning
Some of the advantages of bush burning are as follows:
1. Burning Of Unwanted Vegetation Helps Remove Fuel For Fires
Fuel for bush fires are usually found in the form of undergrowth and tree trunks. Burning these fuels helps to remove them which reduces fuel for future fires or helps to prevent them from spreading to other areas.
Also, burning the fuel can release the trapped gases that may cause smog and assist in clearing up smoke pollution. This is an advantage because it reduces fire risk and improves air quality by removing the excess fuels.
2. Bush Burns Help With Land Preparation
Bush fires can help to clear debris to prepare land for farming or grazing. This allows farmers to prepare the area quicker and helps them to take care of other plants in the same area by not allowing them to overgrow the area.
This is also beneficial to animals who need open pasture for grazing. This gives them access to land for grazing which is a very critical aspect that many governments impose.
3. Bush Burning Can Be Done In Small Or Large Scales
In smaller areas, burning can be done quickly and easily. This may be done in drier areas because trees cannot grow in these areas as they are too dry. In larger areas, it can take a little longer to burn because of the size of the area or the resources needed to burn it.
However, on a large scale, there is no limit to how large the area can be burned or what resources can be used. This makes it a very useful and commendable method of land preparation.
Related Article: Advantages And Disadvantages Of Early Counting Devices
Disadvantages Of Bush Burning
Some of the disadvantages of bush burning are as follows:
1. Bush Burning Can Be A Health Hazard
Bush burning can cause respiratory problems and may even cause death if it is done improperly. In order to manage the effects of smoke pollution, it is recommended that local people are not exposed to this for more than a few hours at a time.
Also, wearing masks while working or travelling in these areas can help to mitigate the effects of smog and smoke on humans. This also reduces pollution in other areas that may be nearby.
However, it may be difficult to find masks that are suitable for this purpose and are also comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without causing irritation in the eyes or face.
2. Bush Burning Increases Fire Risk
Bush burning can increase the risk of fire due to the heat from the fires. This can cause fires even when it is not a season for fire. The smoke and smog also affect local wildlife, making them more susceptible to diseases that may cause death.
This is also harmful to humans living in nearby areas because it causes respiratory problems such as sinusitis and asthma. These problems may get worse if exposure was high and long-term.
3. Bush Burning Increases Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The amount of greenhouse gases being emitted from the land due to bush burning is not getting any lower even though it may be leading to the death of smog and other pollutants. There has been debates about whether or not it leads to more green house gases than if burnt naturally by nature.
Also, removing trees in these areas can cause a reduction in the amount of oxygen being produced as they are one of the main producers of oxygen. This may lead to lower oxygen levels in affected areas which causes many health problems including death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bush burning can mean many things depending on the area it is taking place at. However, after reading this article, we should know the effects of bush burning and how it may affect our environment.
Bush burning can be used to prepare land for farming or grazing by cutting down unwanted vegetation. However, there are many health problems caused by bush burning if not done properly or in areas that do not need burning.
The advantages and disadvantages of bush burning can be very useful when conducting field research or when doing projects or assignments. You will also have a better understanding on how to manage them and reduce the effects that they can cause through sustainable practices so that we do not end up destroying our environment in the future.
We have now come to the end of this article and we hope that it has been helpful in understanding the topic thoroughly. The topics may be a little overwhelming because of their nature but they are useful in understanding this topic as they give you a better view of what bush fires are.
