What is one major consequence of deforestation?

Deforestation has significant environmental implications, and one of the major consequences is the loss of biodiversity and disruption of carbon cycles. When trees are removed, the habitats that many plant and animal species rely on are destroyed, leading to a decline in their populations and, in many cases, extinction. This loss of biodiversity diminishes the resilience of ecosystems, making them less able to recover from disturbances and perform crucial functions, such as pollination and water filtration.

Moreover, deforestation disrupts carbon cycles by decreasing the number of trees available to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees play a vital role in sequestering carbon, and when they are cut down, not only is this carbon storage capacity reduced, but the carbon stored in trees is also often released back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

In contrast, other choices such as increased agricultural productivity or improved soil quality do not address the long-term environmental costs associated with deforestation, and while enhanced biodiversity may be a goal of sustainable practices, deforestation itself is counterproductive to that outcome.