How does deforestation affect the local climate?

How does deforestation affect the local climate?

• A. It increases humidity in the air and groundwater infiltration
• B. It reduces humidity in the air and reduces groundwater infiltration
• C. It increases rainfall in the local area
• D. It has no impact on local climate

Answer: (B)

Trees connect the atmosphere and the land through moisture: they take up water from the soil and release it as vapor from their leaves (transpiration). This process adds humidity to the air and helps keep the local climate moist. The canopy also reduces soil evaporation and keeps the surface cooler and moister. When forests are removed, less water vapor is added to the air, so local humidity tends to fall. At the same time, the soil loses the structural benefits of roots and organic matter, leading to more surface runoff and less infiltration, which lowers groundwater recharge. Taken together, deforestation tends to dry the local climate by reducing both humidity in the air and groundwater infiltration.

Trees connect the atmosphere and the land through moisture: they take up water from the soil and release it as vapor from their leaves (transpiration). This process adds humidity to the air and helps keep the local climate moist. The canopy also reduces soil evaporation and keeps the surface cooler and moister. When forests are removed, less water vapor is added to the air, so local humidity tends to fall. At the same time, the soil loses the structural benefits of roots and organic matter, leading to more surface runoff and less infiltration, which lowers groundwater recharge. Taken together, deforestation tends to dry the local climate by reducing both humidity in the air and groundwater infiltration.