The Effects of Deforestation
Deforestation affects multiple parts of our everyday lives.
As more trees are removed, parts of the land that the forests occupied either become damaged or change in their levels of functioning. |
Increased Gas EmissionsTrees absorb carbon dioxide in their roots. However, as more trees are removed, they release massive amounts of carbon dioxide emissions back into our atmosphere. As stated by the Climate Council, between 2015 and 2017, the loss of tropical forests around the world lead to nearly 4.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide being released back into the atmosphere annually.
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Soil erosionAs forests are destroyed, the rain and sun damage the exposed soil. This causes forests to take longer to regenerate and the land only has the ability to be used for settlement. It is estimated that nearly 1/3 of the world's arable land has been lost through soil erosion and degradation since 1960.
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Disrupted water cyclesAs trees keep balance between the water on land and in the atmosphere, deforestation causes altering patterns in precipitation and river flow. As the topsoil erodes from destroyed forests, floods become more prominent, leading to damage in coral reefs and fisheries from flooding in lower regions.
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Climate ChangeThe removal of forests has caused hotter and drier conditions due to the build up of carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere. As more cattle ranches and agriculture plantations destroy forests, more carbon dioxide is released. In 2018, the hottest day of the year for many countries was increased by nearly 1 degree Celsius or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Images: Soil erosion, disrupted water cycles and many dead trees near a river.
Learn more about the Effects of Deforestation
Works Cited:
Dean, Annika. “Deforestation and Climate Change.” Climate Council, 21 August 2019, https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/deforestation/. Accessed 15 January 2022.
“Deforestation and Forest Degradation.” World Wildlife Fund, n.d., https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation. Accessed 15 January 2022.
Dean, Annika. “Deforestation and Climate Change.” Climate Council, 21 August 2019, https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/deforestation/. Accessed 15 January 2022.
“Deforestation and Forest Degradation.” World Wildlife Fund, n.d., https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation. Accessed 15 January 2022.