The flow chart shows what typically occurs as a consequence of deforestation. When trees are removed, there are four main immediate effects, which eventually result in flooding, degraded vegetation and a loss of biodiversity.
One immediate effect is soil which has been compacted by heavy equipment. The result hard, ‘baked’ soil contributes to the run off of rain water and, eventually, flooding.
Another immediate consequence of logging is a reduction in the number of roots holding the soil together. This leads to soil erosion. As a consequence, the quality and variety of vegetation is compromised.
The third immediate effect is burning, both deliberate and a consequence of an increased risk of forest fires. The waste that remains after loggings is destroyed and the microorganisms that feed on this material are lost. This leads to degraded vegetation.
The final immediate consequence is a reduction in the amount of moisture plants return to the air. Because there is less moisture in the air, there is less precipitation and an increased incidence of drought. This too reduces plant growth and ultimately results in degraded vegetation and a loss of biodiversity.
The flow chart
shows
what
typically
occurs as a
consequence
of deforestation. When trees
are removed
, there are four main
immediate
effects, which
eventually
result in flooding, degraded vegetation and a loss of biodiversity.
One
immediate
effect is
soil
which has
been compacted
by heavy equipment. The result
hard
, ‘baked’
soil
contributes to the run off of rain water and,
eventually
, flooding.
Another
immediate
consequence
of logging is a reduction in the number of roots holding the
soil
together. This leads to
soil
erosion. As a
consequence
, the quality and variety of vegetation
is compromised
.
The third
immediate
effect is burning, both deliberate and a
consequence
of an increased
risk
of forest fires. The waste that remains after
loggings
is
destroyed
and the microorganisms that feed on this material
are lost
. This leads to degraded vegetation.
The final
immediate
consequence
is a reduction in the amount of moisture plants return to the air.
Because
there is less moisture in the air, there is less precipitation and an increased incidence of drought. This too
reduces
plant growth and
ultimately
results in degraded vegetation and a loss of biodiversity.