Biomes - Impacts of deforestation

Loss of biodiversity

Half the worlds plant and animal species live in the rainforest and deforestation destroys habitats, endangers species and causes extinction

Climate change

Deforestation releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and significantly contributes to global warming

Disruption of indigenous cultures

Many indigenous communities rely on rainforests for culture and identity so deforestation threatens their way of life and often forces them to relocate and leads to cultural erosion

Soil erosion

When trees are removed soil becomes vulnerable to erosion, decreases fertility, and increases sedimentation in rivers which affects water quality

Altered weather patterns

Rainforests contribute to regional weather patterns so deforestation can lead to droughts and increase flooding