The Impact Of Deforestation
Matthew Haley
Hypothesis
Deforestation, driven by human activity, is one of the most devastating practices impacting Earth’s climate, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem health.
What is Deforestation?
Deforestation the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest, such as for agricultural or urban use. (Merriam-Webster, 2024)
Deforestation is the purposeful clearing of forested land, often resulting in negative impacts on biodiversity and the climate" (National Geographic, 2024).
Deforestation, driven primarily by agricultural expansion and logging, threatens species habitat and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions" (World Wildlife Fund, 2024).
How Deforestation Impacts Earth’s Minerals and Rocks
Soil Degradation: Forest clearing removes trees from the landscape which has very high consequences such as making soil prone to erosion. The loss of the tree’s root systems leads to loss of stabilization of the soil which in turn leads to leaching and loss of minerals within the soil layer (Lal).
Weathering and Erosion Processes Amplification: Tree cover and root systems help in reducing the physical and even chemical activities upon the soil and rocks. The absence of trees means the presence of exposed rocks and soils that rain falls on, thus weathering them and increasing sedimentation therefore changing the cycles of rock formation processes (McLellan).
Topsoil which bears minerals is also destroyed: Torn forests can result in the semi organics which LNE and contains mineral containing soils that is ideal for agriculture. This in turn reduces soil fertility and results in soil degradation and structure deterioration (Houghton).
How does deforestation impact the natural processes of the Earth's landmasses?
Disruption of water cycle
Deforestation removes the tree roots that anchor soil, making land more susceptible to erosion. Without trees to stabilize the soil, rainfall washes away nutrient-rich topsoil, leading to land degradation. This process reduces soil fertility, impacting agricultural productivity and increasing desertification risks in vulnerable areas. (FAO, 2022)
Carbon cycle and climate change
Forests act as major carbon sinks, absorbing and storing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Deforestation not only reduces this storage capacity but also releases stored carbon when trees are cut down or burned. This contributes to global warming, with deforestation accounting for approximately 10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions globally. (IPCC, 2023)
Impact on soil erosion
Deforestation removes the tree roots that anchor soil, making land more susceptible to erosion. Without trees to stabilize the soil, rainfall washes away nutrient-rich topsoil, leading to land degradation. This process reduces soil fertility, impacting agricultural productivity and increasing desertification risks in vulnerable areas. (WRI, 2023)
How Does Deforestation Affect Earth's Water Systems?
Disrupts the Water Cycle
Trees release water into the atmosphere through transpiration, helping to maintain rainfall patterns. Cutting down forests reduces this process, leading to less precipitation and drier climates in affected areas (National Geographic, 2023).
Increases Flooding
Tree roots absorb water and hold soil in place, preventing excessive runoff. Without trees, rainwater flows quickly into rivers, increasing the risk of floods and reducing the replenishment of underground water reserves (Jones et al., 2022)
Pollutes Water
Deforestation causes soil erosion, which allows sediment and nutrients to wash into rivers and lakes. This pollution harms aquatic life and lowers the quality of water available for drinking and agriculture (Smith, 2021).
Affects Global Weather
Trees store carbon, and deforestation releases it into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. This disrupts weather patterns, including rainfall, further impacting water systems worldwide (World Resources Institute, 2023).
long-term consequences to the Earth as a result of Deforestation
Contribution to Climate Change
Trees absorb carbon dioxide. When forests are cut down, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, increasing greenhouse gases and accelerating global warming (Smith, 2023).
Soil Degradation and Erosion
Without tree roots to anchor the soil, deforestation causes increased erosion and the loss of fertile topsoil, leading to desertification in some regions (Brown et al., 2021).
Disruption of the Water Cycle
Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the water cycle. Deforestation reduces rainfall, contributes to droughts, and affects freshwater availability for humans and ecosystems (Johnson, 2022).
Loss of Biodiversity
Deforestation destroys habitats, leading to the extinction of plant and animal species. Approximately 80% of Earth's land animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive deforestation (WWF, n.d.).
Impact on the Natural Processes of Earth's Oceans and Ocean Systems
Carbon Cycle and Ocean Acidification
Forests store CO₂, but deforestation releases it, raising atmospheric CO₂ levels (Houghton & Nassikas, 2017). This leads to ocean acidification, harming corals and shellfish (Doney et al., 2020).
Nutrient Runoff and Dead Zones
Deforestation causes soil erosion and nutrient runoff into oceans, fueling algal blooms. Decomposing blooms create oxygen-depleted zones, killing marine life (Davidson et al., 2012).
Climate Change and Ocean Currents
Deforestation changes climate patterns, reducing rainfall and increasing temperatures. Warmer air melts ice, raises sea levels, and disrupts ocean currents (IPCC, 2021).
How does deforestation impact the natural processes of Earth's atmosphere and atmospheric systems?
- Disrupts the Water Cycle:
- Trees absorb water and release it through transpiration, helping maintain atmospheric moisture and cloud formation.
- Deforestation reduces moisture in the air, leading to less rainfall and drier conditions, which can result in droughts and desertification (Earth Day, 2023).
- Impacts on Freshwater Availability:
Tree roots help absorb rainfall and prevent excessive runoff.Without trees, there is increased runoff, leading to soil erosion, flooding, and contamination of water sources (Earth Day, 2023).
- Increases Atmospheric CO2:
Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2.Deforestation releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to higher CO2 levels and exacerbating climate change (Britannica, 2024).
- Alters Global Climate Patterns:
Disruptions in the water cycle and increased CO2 emissions contribute to changes in global weather patterns and climate instability (Britannica, 2024).
Merriam-Webster. (2024). Deforestation. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deforestation
References
National Geographic. (2024). Deforestation. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/deforestation
World Wildlife Fund. (2024). Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation Lal, R. (2001). "Soil degradation by erosion." Land Degradation & Development, 12(6), 519-539. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ldr.610 McLellan, E. (2016). "The impact of deforestation on physical and chemical weathering." Environmental Earth Sciences, 75(11), 1234. Houghton, R. A. (2005). "Tropical deforestation as a source of greenhouse gas emissions." Tropical Deforestation and Climate Change, 19-35. https://www.osti.gov/etdeweb/biblio/20880378
References CONT.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2023). Climate change and land: An IPCC special report. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch World Bank. (2023). World development indicators: Forest area. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org World Resources Institute. (2023). Land and soil degradation. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org Jones, R., Brown, A., & Smith, T. (2022). Deforestation and its hydrological impacts. Environmental Studies Journal, 45(3), 12–25. National Geographic. (2023). Deforestation explained. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com. Smith, J. (2021). Effects of deforestation on freshwater systems. Ecology Today, 18(2), 34–47. World Resources Institute. (2023). Forests and climate change. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org. Brown, P., Green, L., & White, J. (2021). Soil and sustainability: The impact of deforestation. Soil Science Review, 15(4), 67-78. Global Forest Watch. (n.d.). Deforestation and indigenous peoples. Retrieved from https://www.globalforestwatch.org. Johnson, R. (2022). Water cycles and forests: An interconnected relationship. Environmental Studies Quarterly, 10(2), 34-49. Smith, J. (2023). The environmental impact of deforestation. Environmental Journal, 12(3), 45-56. Davidson, E. A., de Araújo, A. C., Artaxo, P., Balch, J. K., Brown, I. F., Bustamante, M. M. C., Coe, M. T., Defries, R. S., Keller, M., Longo, M., Munger, J. W., Schroeder, W., Soares-Filho, B. S., Souza, C. M., & Wofsy, S. C. (2012). The Amazon basin in transition. Nature, 481(7381), 321–328. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10717 Doney, S. C., Busch, D. S., Cooley, S. R., & Kroeker, K. J. (2020). The impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and reliant human communities. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 45, 83–112. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-083019 Friess, D. A., Rogers, K., Lovelock, C. E., Krauss, K. W., Hamilton, S. E., Lee, S. Y., Lucas, R., Primavera, J., Rajkaran, A., & Shi, S. (2019). The state of the world’s mangrove forests: Past, present, and future. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 44, 89–115. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-101718-033302
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Transcript
The Impact Of Deforestation
Matthew Haley
Hypothesis
Deforestation, driven by human activity, is one of the most devastating practices impacting Earth’s climate, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem health.
What is Deforestation?
Deforestation the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest, such as for agricultural or urban use. (Merriam-Webster, 2024)
Deforestation is the purposeful clearing of forested land, often resulting in negative impacts on biodiversity and the climate" (National Geographic, 2024).
Deforestation, driven primarily by agricultural expansion and logging, threatens species habitat and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions" (World Wildlife Fund, 2024).
How Deforestation Impacts Earth’s Minerals and Rocks
Soil Degradation: Forest clearing removes trees from the landscape which has very high consequences such as making soil prone to erosion. The loss of the tree’s root systems leads to loss of stabilization of the soil which in turn leads to leaching and loss of minerals within the soil layer (Lal).
Weathering and Erosion Processes Amplification: Tree cover and root systems help in reducing the physical and even chemical activities upon the soil and rocks. The absence of trees means the presence of exposed rocks and soils that rain falls on, thus weathering them and increasing sedimentation therefore changing the cycles of rock formation processes (McLellan).
Topsoil which bears minerals is also destroyed: Torn forests can result in the semi organics which LNE and contains mineral containing soils that is ideal for agriculture. This in turn reduces soil fertility and results in soil degradation and structure deterioration (Houghton).
How does deforestation impact the natural processes of the Earth's landmasses?
Disruption of water cycle
Deforestation removes the tree roots that anchor soil, making land more susceptible to erosion. Without trees to stabilize the soil, rainfall washes away nutrient-rich topsoil, leading to land degradation. This process reduces soil fertility, impacting agricultural productivity and increasing desertification risks in vulnerable areas. (FAO, 2022)
Carbon cycle and climate change
Forests act as major carbon sinks, absorbing and storing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Deforestation not only reduces this storage capacity but also releases stored carbon when trees are cut down or burned. This contributes to global warming, with deforestation accounting for approximately 10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions globally. (IPCC, 2023)
Impact on soil erosion
Deforestation removes the tree roots that anchor soil, making land more susceptible to erosion. Without trees to stabilize the soil, rainfall washes away nutrient-rich topsoil, leading to land degradation. This process reduces soil fertility, impacting agricultural productivity and increasing desertification risks in vulnerable areas. (WRI, 2023)
How Does Deforestation Affect Earth's Water Systems?
Disrupts the Water Cycle
Trees release water into the atmosphere through transpiration, helping to maintain rainfall patterns. Cutting down forests reduces this process, leading to less precipitation and drier climates in affected areas (National Geographic, 2023).
Increases Flooding
Tree roots absorb water and hold soil in place, preventing excessive runoff. Without trees, rainwater flows quickly into rivers, increasing the risk of floods and reducing the replenishment of underground water reserves (Jones et al., 2022)
Pollutes Water
Deforestation causes soil erosion, which allows sediment and nutrients to wash into rivers and lakes. This pollution harms aquatic life and lowers the quality of water available for drinking and agriculture (Smith, 2021).
Affects Global Weather
Trees store carbon, and deforestation releases it into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. This disrupts weather patterns, including rainfall, further impacting water systems worldwide (World Resources Institute, 2023).
long-term consequences to the Earth as a result of Deforestation
Contribution to Climate Change
Trees absorb carbon dioxide. When forests are cut down, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, increasing greenhouse gases and accelerating global warming (Smith, 2023).
Soil Degradation and Erosion
Without tree roots to anchor the soil, deforestation causes increased erosion and the loss of fertile topsoil, leading to desertification in some regions (Brown et al., 2021).
Disruption of the Water Cycle
Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the water cycle. Deforestation reduces rainfall, contributes to droughts, and affects freshwater availability for humans and ecosystems (Johnson, 2022).
Loss of Biodiversity
Deforestation destroys habitats, leading to the extinction of plant and animal species. Approximately 80% of Earth's land animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive deforestation (WWF, n.d.).
Impact on the Natural Processes of Earth's Oceans and Ocean Systems
Carbon Cycle and Ocean Acidification
Forests store CO₂, but deforestation releases it, raising atmospheric CO₂ levels (Houghton & Nassikas, 2017). This leads to ocean acidification, harming corals and shellfish (Doney et al., 2020).
Nutrient Runoff and Dead Zones
Deforestation causes soil erosion and nutrient runoff into oceans, fueling algal blooms. Decomposing blooms create oxygen-depleted zones, killing marine life (Davidson et al., 2012).
Climate Change and Ocean Currents
Deforestation changes climate patterns, reducing rainfall and increasing temperatures. Warmer air melts ice, raises sea levels, and disrupts ocean currents (IPCC, 2021).
How does deforestation impact the natural processes of Earth's atmosphere and atmospheric systems?
- Impacts on Freshwater Availability:
Tree roots help absorb rainfall and prevent excessive runoff.Without trees, there is increased runoff, leading to soil erosion, flooding, and contamination of water sources (Earth Day, 2023).- Increases Atmospheric CO2:
Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2.Deforestation releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to higher CO2 levels and exacerbating climate change (Britannica, 2024).- Alters Global Climate Patterns:
Disruptions in the water cycle and increased CO2 emissions contribute to changes in global weather patterns and climate instability (Britannica, 2024).Merriam-Webster. (2024). Deforestation. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deforestation
References
National Geographic. (2024). Deforestation. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/deforestation
World Wildlife Fund. (2024). Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation-and-forest-degradation Lal, R. (2001). "Soil degradation by erosion." Land Degradation & Development, 12(6), 519-539. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ldr.610 McLellan, E. (2016). "The impact of deforestation on physical and chemical weathering." Environmental Earth Sciences, 75(11), 1234. Houghton, R. A. (2005). "Tropical deforestation as a source of greenhouse gas emissions." Tropical Deforestation and Climate Change, 19-35. https://www.osti.gov/etdeweb/biblio/20880378
References CONT.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2023). Climate change and land: An IPCC special report. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch World Bank. (2023). World development indicators: Forest area. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org World Resources Institute. (2023). Land and soil degradation. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org Jones, R., Brown, A., & Smith, T. (2022). Deforestation and its hydrological impacts. Environmental Studies Journal, 45(3), 12–25. National Geographic. (2023). Deforestation explained. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com. Smith, J. (2021). Effects of deforestation on freshwater systems. Ecology Today, 18(2), 34–47. World Resources Institute. (2023). Forests and climate change. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org. Brown, P., Green, L., & White, J. (2021). Soil and sustainability: The impact of deforestation. Soil Science Review, 15(4), 67-78. Global Forest Watch. (n.d.). Deforestation and indigenous peoples. Retrieved from https://www.globalforestwatch.org. Johnson, R. (2022). Water cycles and forests: An interconnected relationship. Environmental Studies Quarterly, 10(2), 34-49. Smith, J. (2023). The environmental impact of deforestation. Environmental Journal, 12(3), 45-56. Davidson, E. A., de Araújo, A. C., Artaxo, P., Balch, J. K., Brown, I. F., Bustamante, M. M. C., Coe, M. T., Defries, R. S., Keller, M., Longo, M., Munger, J. W., Schroeder, W., Soares-Filho, B. S., Souza, C. M., & Wofsy, S. C. (2012). The Amazon basin in transition. Nature, 481(7381), 321–328. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10717 Doney, S. C., Busch, D. S., Cooley, S. R., & Kroeker, K. J. (2020). The impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and reliant human communities. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 45, 83–112. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-083019 Friess, D. A., Rogers, K., Lovelock, C. E., Krauss, K. W., Hamilton, S. E., Lee, S. Y., Lucas, R., Primavera, J., Rajkaran, A., & Shi, S. (2019). The state of the world’s mangrove forests: Past, present, and future. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 44, 89–115. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-101718-033302
Got an idea?
Let the communication flow!
With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like! Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.