Impact of Deforestation on Global Climates

Deforestation causes a series of changes leading to global climatic changes:

1. Increased aridity and desertification

Surface absorption of solar energy decreases.
Surface cooling increases.
Equatorial convective activity and rainfall decreases.
Desertification increases.

2. Global greenhouse effect, global warming and rise of sea-level

The diminishing forest will result in an increase and concentration of the greenhouse gases (especially carbon dioxide). This will lead to increased greenhouse effect and global warming with unpredictable climate effects. Some of the polar ice caps may melt. As a result, the world-wide sea-level rises.

3. More extreme climate

If large areas of forests are cleared, the average annual precipitation decreases and the region's climate gets hotter and drier.

Problems that hinder Forest Regeneration

Over-cultivation
Overgrazing
Short fallowing does not allow sufficient time for forest regeneration to take place, hence the forest eventually changes to shrub or grass communities.
The carrying capacity of land is reduced by nutrient export / loss/ leakage and soil erosion.

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