the effects of deforestation

Question 1

what are the undesirable effects of deforestation?

Answer 1

extinction of species
soil erosion-leads to leaching
flooding
increase of CO2 in the atmosphere
disturbance of water cycle

Question 2

what are the consequences of extinction/loss of biodiversity?

Answer 2

forest habitats have a lot of biodiversity- the deforestation causes the loss of many plant and animal species
many of these species are only found in these areas and so will become extinct

Question 3

what are the consequences of soil erosion?

Answer 3

tree roots help to stabilise the soil, preventing it from being eroded by the rain
trees will usually take up nutrients and minerals from the soil through their roots
without trees, nutrients and minerals will remain unused in the soil so will be washed away into rivers and lakes (leaching)
this loss of soil nutrients is permanent and makes it very difficult for forest trees to regrow, even if the land is not cultivated with crop plants or grass for cattle

Question 4

what are the consequences of flooding?

Answer 4

without trees, the topsoil will be loose and unstable- will be easily washed away by rain, increasing the risk of flash flooding and landslides

Question 5

what are the consequences of increased CO2 in the atmosphere?

Answer 5

trees carry out photosynthesis when they absorb CO2 and release O2
the removal of trees means that less CO2 is being removed from the atmosphere and less oxygen released
sometimes trees are burnt instead of cut down- releases CO2 and contributing to global warming

Question 6

what are the consequences of disturbance of the water cycle?

Answer 6

when a large number of trees are grouped together, the water released by their transpiration leads to the formation of clouds and results in rainfall nearby
if these trees are cut down, the local area may become drier due to less rainfall