4.18B understand the effects of deforestation, including leaching, soil erosion, disturbance of evapotranspiration and the carbon cycle, and the balance of atmospheric gases

Effects of Deforestation:

1. Eutrophication
- Loss of trees will lead to the unused nutrients and minerals remaining in the soil.
- These excess nutrients and minerals may be washed into rivers and lakes, causing eutrophication.

2. Soil Erosion
- Loss of trees will cause the soil to be loose and unstable
- Soil may be washed away by rain, inhibiting vegetative growth.

3. Disturbance in the water cycle
- As transpiration releases water vapors into air and returns via precipitation, loss of trees will result in less transpiration.

4. Unbalanced carbon cycle
- As trees carry out photosynthesis to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, the loss of trees will decrease photosynthesis, therefore carbon dioxide levels will increase, and less oxygen will be produced. Oxygen levels will, therefore, decrease over time.