How does deforestation affect the hydrologic cycle?

How does deforestation affect the hydrologic cycle?

• A. It decreases soil erosion rates
• B. It increases evapotranspiration
• C. It reduces evapotranspiration and increases surface runoff
• D. It increases groundwater recharge

Answer: (C)

Deforestation significantly alters the hydrologic cycle, primarily by reducing evapotranspiration and increasing surface runoff. When trees and vegetation are removed, the amount of water being released into the atmosphere through processes like transpiration diminishes. This reduction in vegetation directly leads to lower rates of evapotranspiration, as the trees no longer absorb water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere. In addition to the decrease in evapotranspiration, the removal of trees results in increased surface runoff. Without tree roots to absorb water, excess rainfall flows more rapidly over the surface instead of being absorbed into the soil. This can lead to a variety of outcomes, such as reduced groundwater recharge and increased risks of flooding, as the natural balance of water infiltration is disrupted. Overall, the correct assertion highlights the dual impact of deforestation on the hydrologic cycle: it disrupts the process of moisture recycling through reduced evapotranspiration and alters the movement of water, leading to increased surface runoff.

Deforestation significantly alters the hydrologic cycle, primarily by reducing evapotranspiration and increasing surface runoff. When trees and vegetation are removed, the amount of water being released into the atmosphere through processes like transpiration diminishes. This reduction in vegetation directly leads to lower rates of evapotranspiration, as the trees no longer absorb water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere.

In addition to the decrease in evapotranspiration, the removal of trees results in increased surface runoff. Without tree roots to absorb water, excess rainfall flows more rapidly over the surface instead of being absorbed into the soil. This can lead to a variety of outcomes, such as reduced groundwater recharge and increased risks of flooding, as the natural balance of water infiltration is disrupted.

Overall, the correct assertion highlights the dual impact of deforestation on the hydrologic cycle: it disrupts the process of moisture recycling through reduced evapotranspiration and alters the movement of water, leading to increased surface runoff.