The consequences of deforestation are more than just not having trees because trees are nice. Here are some consequences that may be overlooked at some point in time.
1. Global Warming
The key factor for this is that trees store carbon. This is called carbon sequestration. The less trees there are, the less trees are holding carbon, so more carbon is in the atmosphere. As well as that, When a tree is cut down, it releases carbon into the atmosphere to add to global warming. One tree would not make much of a difference, but all of the deforestation in the world added together would make a big difference!
2. Flooding
Believe it or not, deforestation can actually cause flooding. When it rains over a forest, some of the water will get caught in the tops of trees. Some will sink through the ground and get sucked up by tree roots. The water that sinks into the ground that does not get sucked up will trickle underground to the nearest body of water. What is not taken by trees or trick underground in called runoff. Without forests, there will be much more runoff, and since runoff moves fastest, it will fill streams faster. Overall, there would be more water (moving faster) going into rivers and streams, which can cause floods.
3. Drought
Deforestation can even cause droughts in deforested areas. I am sure you have heard the term rainforest. In a rainforest, in rains a surprising amount hence the term rainforest. A large amount of that rain is because trees keep a certain amount of the rainfall there, by sucking it up, catching it in their leaves, and overall, evaporating it into the atmosphere to let it rain down again. Trees also provide shade, which helps keep the ground wet. With out those trees, the ground would dry out and not as much rain would fall over that area.
4. Other
If you think about it, Those factors can cause other things. Floods can cause lots of damage, which would need to be repaired, maybe taking resources and money from that country's supplies. The war in Syria was partly started because of a drought. Many problems can be started, even if not directly, by how we are treating our Earth.
1. Global Warming
The key factor for this is that trees store carbon. This is called carbon sequestration. The less trees there are, the less trees are holding carbon, so more carbon is in the atmosphere. As well as that, When a tree is cut down, it releases carbon into the atmosphere to add to global warming. One tree would not make much of a difference, but all of the deforestation in the world added together would make a big difference!
2. Flooding
Believe it or not, deforestation can actually cause flooding. When it rains over a forest, some of the water will get caught in the tops of trees. Some will sink through the ground and get sucked up by tree roots. The water that sinks into the ground that does not get sucked up will trickle underground to the nearest body of water. What is not taken by trees or trick underground in called runoff. Without forests, there will be much more runoff, and since runoff moves fastest, it will fill streams faster. Overall, there would be more water (moving faster) going into rivers and streams, which can cause floods.
3. Drought
Deforestation can even cause droughts in deforested areas. I am sure you have heard the term rainforest. In a rainforest, in rains a surprising amount hence the term rainforest. A large amount of that rain is because trees keep a certain amount of the rainfall there, by sucking it up, catching it in their leaves, and overall, evaporating it into the atmosphere to let it rain down again. Trees also provide shade, which helps keep the ground wet. With out those trees, the ground would dry out and not as much rain would fall over that area.
4. Other
If you think about it, Those factors can cause other things. Floods can cause lots of damage, which would need to be repaired, maybe taking resources and money from that country's supplies. The war in Syria was partly started because of a drought. Many problems can be started, even if not directly, by how we are treating our Earth.