Three Effects of Deforestation on Climate Change






Widespread deforestation has taken place on the planet over the last century due to human activity. While this deforestation affects the planet and all life that dwells upon it in numerous ways, this note mentions three effects on climate change that includes climate extremes

1. Atmospheric Turbulence

The greater the atmospheric turbulence, greater are the chances of unexpected climatic phenomenon i.e. climate extremes. Winds move over the surface of earth in what scientists call as atmospheric boundary layers. It is well known phenomenon in turbulence science that turbulence in such boundary layers is damped when roughness exists on the surface. Forests with tall trees are one such roughness. Therefore the fewer the forests on land the greater the atmospheric turbulence and greater the chances of climate extremes.


2. Evaporation from Trees

Evaporation from tree leaves absorbs the sun’s heat that falls on the planet. It is for this reason, during day hours, forests are cooler than areas devoid of trees. The heat thus absorbed is stored partly as bio matter in the tree and partly in atmospheric water vapor generated. That heat is released when the vapor condenses in a colder area. If there are fewer forests on the planet then less of this phenomenon takes place. There is cross planetary heat transfer that takes place at all times on the planet and this factor alone would contribute to colder winters in the cold hemisphere of the planet while making summers hotter in the hot hemisphere, in combination with a number of other causes that contribute to climate. The present factor may be contributing to the heat wave in Australia and the cold wave in North America being observed at the time of writing this note.

3. Carbon Absorption

Presently there is much focus in the world on rising carbon emissions and their influence on climate. Those concerned about this must note that trees are the most environmentally friendly and cost effective way to absorb carbon dioxide while releasing life giving oxygen in the process. This carbon is converted to organic matter in leaves, with help of sunlight, that eventually dry and fall year after year creating fertile soil. Some of this is washed into the oceans with the help of continental rivers where they increase organic matter in the oceans thus increasing absorption of carbon dioxide in the oceans as well. More the deforestation on the planet the lesser is this absorption of carbon dioxide.


Atmospheric science is a complicated phenomenon not fully amenable to analysis even by modern science. Therefore the conclusions of the present note need further study. Such studies are urgently needed because of their contribution to the very quality of all life on the planet.





The author is grateful to https://www.pexels.com/ for images used in this note


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