Tag: deforestation and afforestation

The water cycle is affected by deforestation.Trees extract groundwater through their roots and release it into the atmosphere. When part of a forest is removed, the trees no longer transpire this water, resulting in a much drier climate.Deforestation reduces the content of water in the soil and groundwater as well as atmospheric moisture. The dry soil leads to lower water intake for the trees to extract.Deforestation reduces soil cohesion, so that erosion,flooding and landslides ensue.

Desertification is a type of land degradation in which relatively dry area of land becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife.

A duricrust is a hard, mineralized crust formed at or near the surface of the soil, often through the accumulation of minerals like iron or silica.

If deforestation is performed, there will be no trees so, the amount of the greenhouse gasses will increase in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gasses trap heat from the infrared radiation in the atmosphere and increases the atmosphere's temperature i.e, global warming. 

Farming is considered as the major source of air pollution due to man. This is the man-made source of air pollution which allows the particles to enter the atmosphere. The movement of tractors will cause the soil particles to rise up in the air. The particles from the fertilizers and pesticides spray enter the atmosphere. Also during harvesting and husking, the small particles in the form of pollens and husks can result in air pollution. 

Overuse of the water resources will result in the exhaustion of the water supply. The climatic change has resulted in global warming and seasonal variations. There is a decrease in the annual rainfall which was received by a region due to shortening of the seasons. Deforestation has resulted in a decrease in the number of trees which thereby affect the amount of rainfall which was received. There is soil erosion which results in water run off.The decrease in the level of the sea is not a reason for the shortage of usable water. 

Deforestation is the process of cutting or removal of forest to fulfill the need of the population. It has many negative impacts on the environment such as loss of species, soil erosion and reduces rainfall. The tree absorbs water from soil for photosynthesis and produces water vapor that is released into the atmosphere which in turn causes rainfall. If there will be less number of the tree then rainfall will also decrease. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Forests occupy more than 30 percent of Earth's land surface and account for 50 percent of plant productivity. Therefore 45% of the carbon stored on land is tied up in forests. Further, these being the dominant terrestrial ecosystem, the forest account for 75% of the gross primary productivity of the Earth's biosphere and 80% of the plant biomass. Removing half the forest cover, will not only bring in an increase in the population of human beings and other living organisms but will also bring about increased pollution and a great ecological imbalance.

Floods are common in north India because of excessive deforestation in the catchment areas. Roots of the trees keep the soil together and drain the extra water into the underground water reservoir. Due to deforestation (cutting down of the trees), the soil is no longer able to hold or drain the excess water thus leading to floods. 

Deforestation in catchment areas reduces the soil's ability to absorb water, leading to increased surface runoff during heavy rains, which contributes to more frequent and severe flooding in downstream plains.