In order to expand agriculture and stimulate a sagging economy, the Brazilian government eased environmental laws which allowed large tracts of rainforest to be cut down or burned. In three to five sentences, construct a potential chain of consequences for what can happen as a result of this kind of deforestation. The chain does not have to be linear (i.e., five steps in a row), but can have several branches, one for each different potential consequence. Your chain should include at least four steps, including the original event. (4 points)
Example answers:
Deforestation --> loss of protective canopy --> tropical species replaced by more sun-tolerant species --> wildlife that depended on tropical habitat displaced
Deforestation --> less trees --> less atmospheric CO2 absorbed -> increase in greenhouse gasses --> increase of greenhouse effect -->increase in global warming
& (second chain)
Deforestation --> use of fossil fuels --> increase in greenhouse gases --> increase of greenhouse effect --> increase in global warming
Choose only ONE of these!! And word it in ur own words.
tysm <3
The immediate consequence of easing environmental laws in Brazil is the increased deforestation of the rainforest. As a result, this leads to the destruction of wildlife habitats, causing species to lose their homes and potentially leading to a decline in biodiversity. Additionally, deforestation contributes to climate change as trees play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide. This could result in increased greenhouse gas emissions that worsen global climate conditions. Furthermore, deforestation can lead to soil degradation and erosion, making the land less fertile and affecting agricultural productivity in the long run.
The potential chain of consequences resulting from the deforestation caused by the Brazilian government's easing of environmental laws could be as follows:
Step 1: Large tracts of rainforest are cut down or burned.
Step 2: Loss of rainforest leads to a significant decrease in biodiversity, as countless species of plants, animals, and microorganisms lose their natural habitats.
Step 3: Deforestation disrupts the water cycle, affecting regional and global climate patterns. Reduced evapotranspiration and increased carbon emissions contribute to global warming.
Step 4a: Destruction of rainforest also affects indigenous communities who rely on the forest for their livelihoods and cultural practices, leading to displacement and cultural erosion.
Step 4b: The loss of rainforest removes a natural carbon sink, exacerbating climate change. This can lead to more frequent and severe natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and wildfires, impacting both local communities and global stability.
Note: This chain of consequences is not exhaustive and the impacts of deforestation can vary depending on various factors such as location, scale, and time frame.