How does deforestation contribute to the increase of atmospheric CO2?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the relationship between deforestation and the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels. It seeks to identify which given option correctly explains how deforestation affects carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere.
Answer
Deforestation releases stored carbon from trees into the atmosphere as CO2, increasing greenhouse gases.
Deforestation contributes to increased atmospheric CO2 because the carbon stored in trees is released as CO2 when forests are cleared or burnt. This adds to greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change.
Answer for screen readers
Deforestation contributes to increased atmospheric CO2 because the carbon stored in trees is released as CO2 when forests are cleared or burnt. This adds to greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change.
More Information
Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Destroying them not only releases this stored carbon as CO2 but also reduces the number of trees available to sequester carbon in the future, exacerbating climate change.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming that only the act of cutting trees releases CO2. However, even disturbing forests without fully clearing them can release significant amounts of carbon stored in the ecosystem.
Sources
- Learn the effects of deforestation - WWF - wwf.org.uk
- Deforestation and Climate Change - climatecouncil.org.au
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