what are the adverse effects of destruction of forest?

The cutting down of trees on a large scale leads to desertification.It is the process of conversion of a fertile land into a desert environment. Removal of vegetation leads to rapid soil erosion, where the top most layer of soil gets blown away by wind.This gradually decreases the fertility of soil. As a result, it is unable to support any vegetation and leads to the spread of deserts. Deforestation can lead to disturbances in water cycle, which can result in droughts. Also, when the ground is devoid of vegetation, it becomes difficult to hold rain water. As a result, the infiltration rate of water (rate at which water seeps into the ground) is reduced. This causes flooding of grounds. Deforestation also causes an increase in the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. This leads to increase in the overall temperature of the earth.

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Immediate effectsof deforestation include the washing away of soil in the monsoon season. This is because trees are no longer anchoring and binding the soil and so mud slides take place. The earth is leached of minerals by the large amounts of water. The lack of vegetation also means that there will be very few animals in the area. The lack of decomposing vegetation and animals means that the nutrients are not replaced and the area quickly becomes infertile.

(ii)Rivers often silt up as soil is moved downriver and deposition takes place. Fish and plants relying on clear water die as the river becomes more and more clogged. This has a knock-on effect throughthe entire food chain.

(iii)If large areas of rainforest are cleared, the pattern of precipitation may change. This is because less evapotranspiration (evapotranspirationis a term used to describe the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration from the earth's land surface to atmosphere. Evaporation accounts for the movement of water to the air from sources such as the soil, canopy interception, and water bodies)takes place due to the lack of trees. Water is also not delayed before making its way through the ground because of the lack of trees, shrubs, and leaf litter.

(iv)Another very worrying effect of deforestation is global warming (please refer description on global warming in the box below). The Earth is made habitable by a process called thegreenhouse effect.Gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and water vapor (H2O), are found in the atmosphere. The effects of global warming are already showing themselves; the polar ice caps are melting and if this continues we are set for a significant rise in sea level, flooding many places.

C. How to help in mitigating the global warming:

(i) We should turn off the light when we do not require, and to use more energy-efficient bulbs. While energy-efficient bulbs are expensive, they do last longer. Not only will this save money, but it reduces the amount of electricity that needs to be generated and so less fossil fuels have to be burned.

(ii) Use public transport, walk, or cycle if possible. It is said that the bicycle is the most efficient form of transport known to man. Only travel in a car when necessary or share with some body to save petrol. This reduces CO₂emissions.

(iii) Try to buy paper or wood products that are certified by the Forestry Commission as being from sustainable, managed woodlands. Using recycled paper and its promotion help in reduction of destruction of forest.

(iv) Avoid excess printing of documents from the computer. Print non-presentation documents on the draft ink setting. If possible print on both sides of sheets of paper, thus saving both paper and money.

(v) Recycle as much as possible. This is not just limited to paper, but can include glass, plastic, metal, and a number of other things. Many councils run recycling collection services.

(vi) Encourage people you know to do any or all of the things above.HOPE THIS HELPS!! THUMBS UP PLEASE!!DID U LIKE THIS ANSWER SHANTANU??

Soil erosion destruction.Soils (and the nutrients in them) are exposed to the suns heat. Soil moisture is dried up, nutrients evaporate and bacteria that help break down organic matter are affected. Eventually, rain washes down the soil surfaces and erosion takes place. Soils never get their full potential back.Water CycleWhen forests are destroyed, the atmosphere, water bodies and the water table are all affected. Trees absorb and retain water in their roots. A large part of the water that circulates in the ecosystem of rainforests remains inside the plants. Some of this moisture is transpired into the atmosphere. When this process is broken, the atmosphere and water bodies begin to dry out. The watershed potential is compromised and less water will runs through the rivers. Smaller lakes and streams that take water from these larger water bodies dry up.Loss of BiodiversityMany wonderful species of plants and animals have been lost, and many others remain endangered. More than 80% of the world's species remain in the Tropical Rainforest. It is estimated that about 50 to 100 species of animals are being lost each day as a result of destruction of their habitats, and that is a tragedy.Many beautiful creatures, both plants and animals have vanished from the face of the earth.Climate ChangePlants absorb Carbon Dioxide CO2 (a greenhouse gas) from the atmosphere and uses it to produce food (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that make up trees). In return, it gives off Oxygen. Destroying the forests mean CO2 will remain in the atmosphere and in addition, destroyed vegetation will give off more CO2 stored in them as they decompose. This will alter the climate of that region. Cool climates may get a lot hotter and hot places may get a lot cooler.