Deforestation contributes to climate change in several ways:
1. Loss of carbon sinks: Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and storing it in their biomass. When forests are cut down or burned, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO2, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. This increase in CO2 levels intensifies the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change.
2. Reduced absorption of CO2: Deforestation decreases the Earth's capacity to absorb CO2 as fewer trees are available to absorb the gas. As a result, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere increases, contributing to the greenhouse effect and subsequent warming of the planet.
3. Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services: Forests support a vast array of wildlife and plant species, many of which play important roles in regulating the climate. When forests are destroyed, numerous species lose their habitats, leading to a loss of biodiversity. This loss of biodiversity can disrupt natural ecosystems and reduce their resilience to climate change impacts.
4. Changes in local and regional climate patterns: Forests play a crucial role in regulating local and regional climate patterns by influencing temperature, precipitation, and humidity levels. Deforestation can alter these patterns, leading to changes in rainfall distribution, increased temperatures, and altered wind patterns. These changes can exacerbate climate change and its associated impacts, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.
Overall, deforestation contributes significantly to climate change by releasing stored carbon, reducing CO2 absorption, disrupting ecosystems and biodiversity, and altering local and regional climate patterns.
How does deforestation lead to climate change? (1 point)
1 answer