Problems Caused By Deforestation

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  • Created by: Debbie
  • Created on: 08-04-13 10:48

Problems Caused By Deforestation

  • Flooding: Flash floods become more common after deforestation because there is less interception and less root uptake and transpiration. As such rainwater reaches the ground quick, saturating it and causing surface run-off and potential flooding.
  • Landslides: By removing trees and vegetation, you are making the soil less stable. Combine this with saturated ground and the likelihood of floods increases.
  • Biodiversity loss: Because all the species that live in the rainforest are not known it is hard to calculate species loss. However, scientists believe that 1 mammal or bird extinction can be extrapolated to approximately 23,000 extinctions.
  • Reduced photosynthesis: As more and more trees are removed the rate of photosynthesis reduces, releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributing to the greenhouse effect.
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Problems Caused By Deforestation

  • Silting of rivers: With increased flooding and surface run-off moil soils and silt is washed into rivers, this can not only change local ecosystems (water temperature and clarity) but can also reduce the depth of rivers making navigation harder.
  • Silting of seas and oceans:With the increased frequency of flooding and landslides more silt gets washed into the oceans. The increased amount of silts reduces the transparency of the sea reducing the light reefs receive and the temperature of the water. Increased silt can also block important shipping lanes.
  • Breaking of nutrient cycle: The top soil of rainforests is very thin an receives the majority of its nutrients from rotting flora and fauna. Be removing trees you also remove animals and therefore the source of the soils nutrients. With increased erosion the top soil (humus) layer is quickly washed away.
  • Sandification/desertification: Because rainforest soil loses its fertility very quickly after deforestation it quickly becomes hard to grow any vegetation on it, leading to sandification and possibly desertification.
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Problems Caused By Deforestation

  • Loss of indigenous homes: By clearing rainforests you are obviously destroying the homes of indigenous groups. But also moving close to indigenous groups can spread disease and alter local culture and traditions.
  • Reduced rainfall: Deforestation can lead to reduction in local rainfall because less water is intercepted and transpired from vegetation into the atmosphere reducing the formation of clouds and rainfall.
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