deforestation

Question 1

WHat is deforestation?

Answer 1

Deforestation is the clearing of forests and natural vegetation on a large scale for agriculture and urban settlements.

Question 2

Explain the 3 ways deforestation contributes to climate change

Answer 2

trees are major carbon sequesters, by removing trees we are increasing amount of carbon in the atmosphere as it can no longer be stored
decaying and burning of the biomass causes the release of the carbon into the atmosphere
increased albedo of the forest floor decreases evapotranspiration which reduces rainfall

Question 3

Give an example of how deforestation affects the climate

Answer 3

The global loss of forests contribute an extra 4.8 billion tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere and In WA there has been a 20% decrease in rainfall due to large scale farming

Question 4

Describe deforestation in the amazon rainforest

Answer 4

due to clearing of the rainforest through burning techniques. It is estimated that the amazon has emitted 13% more CO2 than it has stored in the past 20 years, this has resulted in more severe droughts and heat waves