Question

What are the three major effects of decline in forest cover?

Answer 1

1. Severe Soil Erosion and Land Degradation: Without tree roots to hold the soil together and a canopy to break the force of rainfall, heavy rains wash away valuable topsoil. This causes land degradation, desertification, and frequent landslides in hilly areas.
2. Disruption of the Water Cycle (Floods and Droughts): Forests operate as natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and slowly recharging underground aquifers. When forest cover declines, rainwater runs directly into rivers, resulting in flash floods during monsoons and severe water scarcity or droughts during dry seasons.
3. Loss of Biodiversity and Habitat Destruction: Forests are home to more than 80% of terrestrial species. Large-scale deforestation destroys wildlife habitats, driving many plant and animal species to extinction and increasing human-wildlife conflicts as animals enter human settlements for food.