Deforestation significantly contributes to climate change primarily through the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the reduction of trees that can absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Here’s a breakdown of how this process works:
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Carbon Storage: Trees and forests act as carbon sinks, meaning they absorb and store carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis. When trees are cut down, the carbon stored in their biomass (trunk, branches, leaves, and roots) is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide when the trees are burned or decomposed.
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Reduction of Carbon Absorption: With fewer trees remaining, there are fewer plants to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. This leads to an increase in the overall concentration of greenhouse gases, which trap heat and contribute to global warming.
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Methane Emissions: While the primary concern with deforestation in terms of climate change is CO2, deforestation can also lead to the release of methane (CH4), especially when forests are cleared for agriculture or by burning. Wetland areas that may be disturbed during deforestation can release significant amounts of methane.
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Nitrous Oxide and Soil Disturbance: Deforestation can lead to the disturbance of soil, releasing stored nitrogen into the atmosphere, which can convert to nitrous oxide (N2O), another potent greenhouse gas. While this is less directly related to tree removal, the overall impact on ecosystems contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Thus, the statement that best describes how deforestation leads to climate change is:
Cutting trees releases stored carbon, and there will be fewer trees to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
This encapsulates the most significant mechanisms by which deforestation impacts climate change.