Question

how are deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions related? rotting tree waste releases only methane into the atmosphere, rotting tree waste releases only carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, burning trees releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, deforestation removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Answer 1

Short answer: they’re directly linked. Forests store large amounts of carbon, so cutting, burning or disturbing them emits greenhouse gases and reduces the planet’s ability to absorb CO2.

Now to the four statements you listed:

- "Rotting tree waste releases only methane into the atmosphere" — False.
Decomposition in the presence of oxygen (aerobic) produces mostly carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane (CH4) is produced when decomposition is anaerobic (no oxygen), e.g., in waterlogged soils, wetlands or landfills.

- "Rotting tree waste releases only carbon dioxide into the atmosphere" — False as stated.
Most decomposition in forests is aerobic and produces mainly CO2, but anaerobic decomposition can produce methane; small amounts of other trace gases (and sometimes nitrous oxide under certain conditions) can also be emitted.

- "Burning trees releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere" — True (but incomplete).
Combustion of biomass releases large amounts of CO2 and also other emissions (carbon monoxide, particulate matter, some methane, and nitrogen oxides). Burning immediately converts stored biomass carbon to atmospheric CO2 (and other pollutants).

- "Deforestation removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere" — False in the intended sense.
Intact forests remove CO2 via photosynthesis. Deforestation removes that sink (it reduces future CO2 uptake) and usually causes net emissions (from burning, decomposition, and soil carbon loss). Some harvested wood products can store carbon temporarily, but overall deforestation is a net source of greenhouse gases.

Extra context: land-use change and deforestation are a significant share of anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions because of these combined effects (emissions from biomass and soils + loss of future CO2 uptake).