6 - Deforestation

Deforestation 6
Set 2 www.climatefresk.org 6 Deforestation is defined as cutting down or burning trees beyond the ability of the forest to restore itself. 80% of deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion.

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Cause

Agriculture

Agriculture

Deforestation is due for 80% to agriculture. It can be considered as a human activity or as a consequence of agriculture of both.

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Consequence

CO2 Emissions

Deforestation

It's written on card 7!

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Other possible causes

Human activities

Human activities

Deforestation can be considered either as a human activity, or as a consequence of agriculture, or both.
Industry

Industry

This link is possible for wood-consuming industries. However, wood used by a factory in a sustainably managed forest would not be considered as deforestation.
Building Usage

Building Usage

It can be said that heating buildings with wood is in part responsible for deforestation, but it is not significant. Neither is building a major cause of deforestation. Agriculture is the main cause of deforestation, way in front of buildings and their usage.
Transportation

Transportation

Road construction sometimes requires deforestation, but the one-dimensional aspect of the road makes it almost negligible compared to deforestation linked to agriculture.
Forest Fires

Forest Fires

Deforestation is partly done by burning the forest, which can then degenerate into uncontrolled fire. This is what happened in the summer of 2019 in the Amazon and Australia.

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Other possible consequences

Carbon Sinks

Deforestation

Participants often think that deforestation reduces carbon sinks. In reality, the impact is minimal because deforested areas represent a very small part of the total forest area. Moreover, a mature forest has reached its equilibrium and no longer absorbs carbon. Therefore, as mainly mature forests are deforested, this does not impact carbon sinks. On the other hand, the amount CO2 released is very high.
Radiative Forcing

Deforestation

Disruption of the Water Cycle

Deforestation

Deforestation can perturb local precipitation.
Terrestrial Biodiversity

Deforestation

River Flooding

Deforestation

Vegetation retains water. Cutting it down can lead to flooding.
Droughts

Deforestation

Deforestation can be the direct cause of droughts because trees stock a lot of water. If they are cut down, they no longer play their part as humidity regulators.
Forest Fires

Deforestation

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