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)

Question

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)

Answer 1

1. The large-scale deforestation of the rainforest reduces the overall capacity of the ecosystem to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to global climate change.

2. The loss of rainforest ecosystems disrupts the natural water cycle, leading to reduced rainfall and increased drought conditions in the region. This can impact the local agriculture sector, leading to reduced crop yields and further economic distress.

3. The destruction of rainforest habitat results in the loss of countless plant and animal species, including those with potential medicinal properties or ecological roles. This loss of biodiversity can have long-term consequences for the overall health and stability of ecosystems, disrupting natural processes and potentially triggering a cascade of negative effects.

4. The deforestation practices can also result in soil degradation, as the removal of the rainforest canopy exposes the soil to direct sunlight, causing it to dry out and erode. This not only reduces the fertility of the land but also increases the risk of flooding and landslides during heavy rainfall events.

Overall, the chain of consequences resulting from this kind of deforestation includes increased greenhouse gas emissions, reduced rainfall and increased drought, loss of biodiversity, and soil degradation. These impacts can have long-lasting effects on both the local and global environment, as well as on the economy and livelihoods of the people in the region.