HOW DOES DEFORESTATION INCREASE THE WARMING OF EARTH
Deforestation increases the warming of the Earth through various processes:
1. Reduction in Carbon Sink: Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, acting as a natural carbon sink. When forests are cleared, the trees are no longer present to remove CO2, leading to higher concentrations of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. The increased amount of CO2 contributes to the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat in the atmosphere and leading to global warming.
2. Loss of Shade and Cooling Effect: Trees provide shade and contribute to the cooling of the surrounding environment through evapotranspiration (the process by which plants release moisture into the atmosphere). Deforestation removes this shading effect, exposing the ground to direct sunlight and leading to increased surface temperatures. The loss of evapotranspiration further reduces cooling in the area.
3. Albedo Effect: Forests have a higher albedo (reflectivity) compared to bare ground or other land covers. Albedo is the measure of how much solar radiation is reflected from the Earth's surface back into space. When forests are cleared, particularly in areas with snow cover, the lower albedo of deforested land leads to more sunlight being absorbed by the ground instead of being reflected. This absorption increases surface temperatures and subsequently warms the surrounding environment.
4. Release of Stored Carbon: Trees store a significant amount of carbon in their biomass and forest soils. When forests are cleared, this carbon is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The process of deforestation, therefore, contributes to an increase in CO2 emissions, adding to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
5. Disruption of Water Cycle: Forests play a crucial role in regulating the water cycle by absorbing and retaining water. Deforestation disrupts this cycle, leading to reduced evapotranspiration and soil moisture. This can result in dryer conditions and increased vulnerability to drought in the deforested area. Dryer conditions, in turn, can lead to higher temperatures and heatwaves.
Overall, deforestation not only reduces the Earth's capacity to absorb CO2 but also increases the release of stored carbon and disrupts important climate-regulating processes, resulting in a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.