Which of the following best describes the effect of deforestation on atmospheric CO2?

• A. It reduces the amount of CO2 absorbed and often releases stored carbon if the trees are burned
• B. It increases CO2 absorption by oceans
• C. It has no impact on CO2 levels
• D. It reduces methane emissions only

Answer: (A)

Deforestation disrupts the land-based carbon sink. Forests store large amounts of carbon in trees and soils, and through photosynthesis remove CO2 from the atmosphere. When forests are cleared or burned, that stored carbon is released back as CO2, and with fewer trees to absorb CO2, the net removal from the atmosphere drops. The result is higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The option that captures this is that deforestation reduces the amount of CO2 absorbed and often releases stored carbon when the trees are burned. The idea that ocean absorption would automatically pick up more CO2, or that there’s no impact, isn’t correct, and deforestation involves more than just methane changes.