Why does clearing forests using fire contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Question

Responses:
Burning trees returns stored methane to the atmosphere as a gas.
Burning trees returns stored oxygen to the atmosphere as a gas.
Burning trees returns stored nitrogen to the atmosphere as nitrous oxide.
Burning trees returns stored carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

All of these responses are partially true, but the main reason why clearing forests using fire contributes to the greenhouse effect is because burning trees releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Forests are known as carbon sinks, meaning they store large amounts of carbon through photosynthesis. When trees are burned, the carbon stored in the trees is released as CO2, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. So, the correct answer is that burning trees returns stored carbon to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Methane, oxygen, and nitrous oxide are also greenhouse gases, but their contributions to the greenhouse effect from forest fires are relatively smaller compared to carbon dioxide.