The Effects of Deforestation (Edexcel IGCSE Biology)

Leaching

Soil minerals are not taken up by trees and are instead washed away by rain into nearby bodies of water

Soil erosion

Soil is not held together by tree roots and organic matter, so is more likely to be washed and/or blown away

Water cycle disturbance

The removal of trees reduces the release of water vapour into the atmosphere by transpiration, reducing cloud formation and rainfall

Carbon cycle disturbance and increased global warming

The removal of trees reduces photosynthesis, so less carbon is removed from the atmosphere and stored in plant tissues

Combustion of felled trees increases release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere