Question

Give biological reasons for the following statement:

Cutting of trees should be discouraged.

Answer 1

Reasons for discouraging cutting of trees:

Global warming:

1. Global warming refers to the gradual increase in atmospheric temperature of the earth due to increased concentration of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide.
2. The atmospheric temperature has increased by 2.5°C since the industrial revolution. An increase of 0.6°C was observed in the 20^th century.
3. The effects of global warming include sea levels rising, melting of glaciers, reduction of crop productivity, frequency of floods, and drought.
4. Carbon dioxide has a major role in global warming. Deforestation has reduced carbon dioxide assimilation by plants and therefore cutting trees should be discouraged.

Air pollution:

1. Automobile exhausts release air pollutants like hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, etc.
2. Plants help in reducing air pollution by metabolizing nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxides.
3. Therefore, we should discourage cutting down trees.