What is the impact of deforestation on the carbon cycle?

Deforestation disrupts the carbon cycle by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by trees and increasing carbon emissions.

Deforestation has a significant impact on the carbon cycle, a process crucial for life on Earth. Trees play a vital role in this cycle as they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, storing carbon in their biomass and releasing oxygen. This process is known as carbon sequestration. When forests are cut down, this capacity to absorb CO2 is lost, leading to higher concentrations of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

Moreover, when trees are felled and left to decompose or are burned, the carbon stored within them is released back into the atmosphere as CO2. This not only adds more CO2 to the atmosphere but also means that there are fewer trees left to absorb it. This double impact accelerates the rate of climate change, as CO2 is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat within the Earth's atmosphere.

In addition, deforestation often leads to soil degradation. Forest soils are rich in organic carbon, and when the forest is removed, the soil is exposed to the sun and can dry out. This can lead to the release of the carbon stored in the soil into the atmosphere, further increasing CO2 levels.

In summary, deforestation disrupts the carbon cycle by reducing the amount of CO2 that can be absorbed from the atmosphere and stored in forests, and by increasing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. This disruption contributes to global warming and climate change, highlighting the importance of preserving our forests.