Deforestation is the process of clearing trees, usually on a large scale. This is often done to make way for building or agriculture.
environmental effects of deforestation?
Environmental effects of deforestation include:
Extinction of species
Soil erosion
Leaching
Flooding
Disruption of the carbon cycle
Disruption of the water cycle
soil erosion
Soil erosion is the process by which soil is removed from its original location, e.g. by rainwater or wind.
deforestation impact on water cycle
Deforestation can disrupt the water cycle. The removal of trees reduces water vapour entering the atmosphere by transpiration, reducing cloud formation and therefore reducing rainfall.
deforestation impact on CO2 concentration
Deforestation increases atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. This is because living trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis; removal of these trees therefore reduces the rate at which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere.