How does deforestation lead to climate change ?
Deforestation contributes to climate change in several ways:
1. Reduced carbon absorption: Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) during photosynthesis, helping to regulate the Earth's climate. Deforestation, especially in tropical rainforests, reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO2, leading to an increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases.
2. Increased greenhouse gas emissions: When trees are cut down or burned, the stored carbon within them is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Deforestation activities, such as slash-and-burn agriculture or logging, release significant amounts of CO2, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
3. Altered water and nutrient cycles: Forests play a crucial role in regulating the water cycle by absorbing rainwater and releasing it slowly through transpiration. When trees are removed, the land becomes drier and unable to retain as much water, leading to changes in precipitation patterns and reduced rainfall. This disruption in the water cycle can further affect climatic conditions.
4. Loss of habitat and biodiversity: Deforestation destroys the habitats of countless plant and animal species, leading to their extinction or displacement. The loss of biodiversity diminishes the overall resilience and stability of ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to climate change impacts.
5. Positive feedback loop: Climate change can also exacerbate deforestation. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns caused by climate change can make forests more prone to drought, wildfires, and insect infestations. These events can damage or kill trees, leading to increased deforestation rates.
Overall, deforestation contributes to climate change by reducing carbon absorption, releasing stored carbon, altering water and nutrient cycles, disturbing ecosystems, and reinforcing a positive feedback loop between deforestation and global warming.