Question

Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.

Answer 1

Hint:A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses.

Complete answer:
The destruction of forests is called deforestation. Deforestation has a serious effect on human
life and the environment. The vegetation has been greatly destroyed which has resulted in
gradual loss of the natural habitat and is posing a threat to natural resources. Overpopulation,
industrialization, urbanization, road construction, mining have caused tremendous pressure
on living resources. Many plants and animals species are on the verge of extinction or
endangered. Forest destruction may also be caused by several adverse factors such as
drought, flood, earthquake, water and air pollution, etc.

Deforestation generally decreases rainfall but increases global warming, drought, and soil
Erosion. Trees play a key role in the water cycle by helping to keep a balance between the water on
land and water in the atmosphere. But when deforestation occurs, that balance is disturbed resulting in changes in climate. Trees are the chief sources of water evaporation. Plants absorb water from the soil and transport large quantities of water into the atmosphere via plant transpiration. Trees evaporate water to form clouds. Deforestation leads to the cutting down of trees. As a result, less water is absorbed from the soil and affects the water cycle. Hence, the formation of clouds becomes difficult which
leads to reduced rainfall.

Note: It is to be noted that the most dramatic impact is the loss of habitat for millions of species. Deforestation results in an increase in greenhouse gases around the earth’s atmosphere and fuel global warming.