Deforestation, the clearing of forests for alternative land uses, has profound and multifaceted environmental consequences. One primary effect is the significant reduction in biodiversity. Forests provide habitats for a vast array of plant and animal species, and their destruction leads to habitat loss and subsequent species extinction. Furthermore, deforestation contributes substantially to climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as crucial carbon sinks. When forests are cleared, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, exacerbating the greenhouse effect and accelerating global warming. Soil erosion is another serious outcome. The intricate root systems of trees bind the soil, preventing its displacement by wind and rain. Deforestation removes this natural protection, leading to increased soil erosion, which can degrade agricultural land and pollute waterways. Finally, the hydrological cycle is disrupted. Forests play a vital role in regulating water flow. Their removal can lead to increased flooding during periods of heavy rainfall and reduced water availability during dry seasons, impacting water resources for both human consumption and ecosystem health.
Câu hỏi luyện tập
1. According to the passage, what is one of the primary effects of deforestation?
2. Which element do trees absorb from the atmosphere, acting as a carbon sink?
3. What process is accelerated by the release of stored carbon from cleared forests?
4. The passage states that deforestation can lead to increased flooding during periods of what weather event?
5. What do the intricate root systems of trees prevent?
6. According to the passage, the removal of forests disrupts the ______________ cycle.
7. Deforestation contributes to climate change because trees act as crucial: