Deforestation reduces the planet's ability to do what?

Deforestation significantly diminishes the planet's ability to store carbon dioxide because trees and forests play a crucial role in the carbon cycle. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon in their biomass, thereby reducing the overall concentration of CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. When forests are cleared or burned, not only is this stored carbon released back into the atmosphere, but the capacity for future carbon storage is also compromised due to the loss of tree cover. This creates a feedback loop that exacerbates global warming and its associated impacts.

While deforestation also affects the production of oxygen, biodiversity, and soil health, the immediate and direct impact on carbon storage is particularly critical in the context of climate change and atmospheric balance.