Question

Deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect in two ways. What are they?

Short answer

Deforestation decreases CO2 absorption and releases stored CO2 into the atmosphere.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space. This leads to an increase in the planet's temperature.

Identify Deforestation's First Contribution

Deforestation reduces the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. When there are fewer trees, less CO2 is removed, leading to higher concentrations of this greenhouse gas, which contributes to warming.

Identify Deforestation's Second Contribution

Deforestation often involves the burning or decay of trees, which releases stored carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, further increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and enhancing the greenhouse effect.

Key concepts

Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is crucial to understanding how our planet maintains a life-supporting temperature. Imagine Earth's atmosphere as a blanket around the planet. This atmospheric "blanket" contains certain gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O), which are commonly referred to as greenhouse gases.

These gases trap heat from the sun that has bounced off the Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping back into space. This trapped heat warms the planet, much like how a greenhouse works to keep plants warm. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be too cold for most life forms.

• Greenhouse gases are essential for maintaining Earth's climate.
• Human activities, like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, increase greenhouse gas concentrations.
• Excess greenhouse gases lead to climate change and global warming.

Carbon Dioxide Absorption

Carbon dioxide absorption is a natural process where CO2 is taken from the atmosphere by plants, oceans, and soil. Trees and plants play a crucial role in this process through photosynthesis. They absorb CO2 and use it to produce energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

However, with deforestation, the process of CO2 absorption is disrupted. The fewer trees there are, the less CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere. This leads to higher levels of CO2, a primary greenhouse gas, contributing to the greenhouse effect and, ultimately, global warming.

• Trees are pivotal in reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
• Photosynthesis helps convert CO2 into organic matter.
• Deforestation minimizes the planet's ability to regulate CO2 levels naturally.

Atmospheric CO2

Atmospheric CO2 refers to the concentration of carbon dioxide found in the Earth's atmosphere. It is a significant greenhouse gas and plays a crucial role in Earth's climate system. Human activities, like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased atmospheric CO2 levels over the past century.

As forests are cleared, not only is the CO2 absorption capacity reduced, but the carbon stored in trees is released back into the atmosphere, mainly when trees are burned. This release of stored CO2 by deforestation further raises the overall concentration of atmospheric CO2.

• Atmospheric CO2 levels are a key indicator of climate change.
• The balance between CO2 emission and absorption is vital for a stable climate.
• Mitigating deforestation can help reduce atmospheric CO2 concentration.