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

Short Answer

Expert verified
Deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect in two ways: firstly, by reducing the capacity to absorb atmospheric CO2; secondly, by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere when the trees are burnt or decay.

Step by step solution

01

Identify first contribution

One way deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect is by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), a key greenhouse gas, in order to grow. When they are cut down, less CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere and hence, more of it remains in the atmosphere.
02

Identify second contribution

The second way is related to how trees are typically removed. When trees are burnt or decay after being cut down, they release the carbon they stored during their lifetime back into the atmosphere. This further increases the amount of CO2, intensifying the greenhouse effect.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free