What is the impact of deforestation on air composition?

Deforestation significantly increases the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and reduces oxygen (O2) levels.

Deforestation, the process of clearing large areas of forests, has a profound impact on the composition of the air. Trees and plants play a crucial role in the carbon cycle, a process that maintains the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere. They absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, during photosynthesis and release oxygen as a by-product. When forests are cut down, this natural carbon sink is lost, leading to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Moreover, when trees are burned or decompose after being cut down, they release the carbon they have stored during their lifetime back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. This further exacerbates the increase in carbon dioxide levels. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, deforestation is responsible for about 10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to increasing carbon dioxide levels, deforestation also impacts the level of oxygen in the atmosphere. Trees produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis. When large areas of forests are removed, the amount of oxygen being produced decreases. While the decrease in oxygen levels due to deforestation is not significant enough to affect the overall oxygen concentration in the atmosphere, it does contribute to the imbalance between oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

Furthermore, deforestation can also lead to a decrease in the concentration of other gases. For instance, trees emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that react with other gases in the atmosphere to form aerosols. These aerosols can influence the climate by scattering sunlight and affecting cloud formation. When forests are removed, the production of these VOCs decreases, potentially impacting the atmospheric composition and climate.

In conclusion, deforestation has a significant impact on the composition of the air, primarily by increasing carbon dioxide levels and reducing oxygen production. It also affects the concentration of other gases and aerosols, which can influence the climate.