Question

(8 marks]
Deforestation is the clearance of a forest or trees to make way for land that is put to use for
man, often resulting in damage to the quality of the land. Forests still cover about thirty
percent of the world's land area, but vast areas of land are lost each year to deforestation.
The world's rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred years at the current rate of
deforestation
Forests are cut down for many reasons and the major factor is agriculture. Farmers clear
forests to provide room for planting crops or grazing livestock. Chopping down trees for
wood and paper products is another reason why deforestation takes place.
Deforestation has many negative effects on the environment and the most important one is
the loss of habitat for thousands of species. Most of Earth's land animals and plants live in
forests, and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes.
Deforestation also results in climate change. Forest-soils are moist and can quickly dry up
without protection from sun-blocking tree cover. Trees also help in the process of water
cycle by returning water vapour back into the atmosphere. Without trees to fill these roles,
many former forest lands can quickly become barren deserts.
Removing trees deprives the forest of its natural canopy. The tree-cover blocks the sun's
rays during the day and holds the heat at night. The absence of this can lead to more
extreme temperatures swings that can be harmful to plants and animals.
The quickest solution to deforestation would be to simply stop cutting down trees. The
cutting that does occur should be balanced by the planting of enough young trees to replace
the older ones felled in any given forest.
In order to reverse desertification, many organisations have come up to help tackle this
issue. Thanks to the amazing support from farmers, school children, NGOs, self-help groups,
corporate houses and interested individuals, millions of trees have been planted to make the
earth a better place than what it has become.
Answer the questions.
1. What is the threat to rain forests?
2. Why is agriculture the main cause for deforestation?
How will deforestation affect soil?
How do trees help in the water cycle?
3.​

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Due to deforestation

2. Farmers clear

forests to provide room for planting crops or grazing livestock.

3. Forest-soils are moist and can quickly dry up

without protection from sun-blocking tree cover.

4. Trees help in the process of water

cycle by returning water vapour back into the atmosphere. Without trees to fill these roles,

many former forest lands can quickly become barren deserts.