Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following.

(a) Wild animals

(b) Environment

(c) Villages (Rural areas)

(d) Cities (Urban areas)

(e) Earth

(f) The next generation

(a) Effects of deforestation on wild animals:

Deforestation is the removal of trees or other vegetation from an area for industrial, agricultural, or other purposes. Trees and other vegetation form the habitat of many animals. Hence, if the habitat of wild animals is destroyed, then their numbers would automatically decline.

(b) Effects of deforestation on the environment:

Plants absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere to perform photosynthesis. If plants are destroyed, then the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere will rise. As a result, CO₂ will trap more heat radiations, thereby adding to global warming. An increase in the temperature of the Earth will disturb the natural water cycle. As a result, there will be a change in the rainfall pattern. This could lead to floods or droughts.

(c) Effects of deforestation on villages:

Roots of plants hold soil particles together. In the absence of plants, the top layer of the soil will be easily removed by the action of high speed winds or water flow. Thus, deforestation increases the chances of soil erosion. As a result, soil loses humus and become less fertile. Hence, a fertile land, which is a source of living for farmers in villages, gets converted into a desert.

(d) Effects of deforestation on cities:

Deforestation in cities can increase the risk of many natural calamities such as floods and droughts in that area. Also, it can lead to global warming due to an increase in the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere as a result of vehicular and industrial pollution. This increase in temperature can disturb the natural water cycle of an area

(e) Effects of deforestation on the Earth:

As a result of deforestation, chances of desertification, droughts, floods, etc. increase. Deforestation can also increase the level of CO₂ in the Earth. It will lead to an increase in temperature i.e., global warming. As a result, the entire natural water cycle will get disrupted. This again increases the risk of natural calamities.

(f) Effects of deforestation on the next generation:

Deforestation is slowly changing our environmental conditions. It is responsible for global warming, soil erosion, greenhouse effect, drought, floods, and many other global problems. As a result, the next generation will have to face severe consequences of deforestation.