Chapter 3, Problem 1CR

To determine

Some harmful impacts of the clearing and degradation of tropical rain forests.

Answer to Problem 1CR

The clearing and degradation of tropical forests may lead to the extinction of many wildlife species. It can also increase carbon content, which eventually enhances global warming. Moreover, weather can also be affected by clearing the forests.

Explanation of Solution

The three harmful effects of the clearing and degradation of tropical rain forests are as follows:

(i) The degradation of forests causes the loss of habitat for animals and plants. The degradation of the forest increases the extinction rate of many animals and plants species.

(ii) The tropical rain forests decrease the carbon content which is helpful to reduce global warming. Therefore, the clearing of forests would cause an increase in carbon content in the atmosphere.

(iii) The rain pattern will also be affected by clearing the forests because forests maintain homogenous weather.