Question

What are the effects of deforestation?

Answer 1

Deforestation:
Deforestation can be defined as the large scale removal of trees to clear land for the facilitation of human activities.

Effects of deforestation:
Habitat Degradation:

• Forests are home to 70% of all land animals and plant species.
• One of the most harmful effects of deforestation is the extinction of animal and plant species as a result of habitat loss.

Temperature Increase:

• Deforestation causes an extreme temperature difference between day and night which could be lethal for many residents.
• Reduced forest cover means there is a high percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which ultimately results in global warming.

Increased CO₂ Emissions:

• Forests are considered carbon sinks as they can absorb carbon dioxide and store it over an extended period of time.
• This skill is lost in deforested areas as excess CO₂ in the atmosphere will increase the greenhouse effect, causing the earth's temperature to rise even more.

Atmospheric Water Depletion:

• The trees also help to regulate the water cycle, which helps to control the amount of water in the atmosphere.
• The roots of the trees make the soil porous and through these pores rainwater seeps and recharge groundwater.

Flooding and Soil Erosion:

• Trees aid in the retention of water and topsoil, as well as the provision of rich nutrients to support new forest life.
• Plants and trees hold the soil together so, without plants and animals, the soil gets washed away by strong winds and flowing water.