Which is an impact of tropical deforestation?

• A. Biodiversity loss
• B. Decreased carbon emissions
• C. Improved watershed integrity
• D. Increased biodiversity

Answer: (A)

Tropical deforestation primarily reduces biodiversity because forests host a vast number of species that rely on the complex habitat structure, food webs, and microclimates trees provide. When trees are removed, many species lose their homes, food sources, and the interactions they depend on, leading to local and sometimes global declines in species richness and disrupted ecosystems. The loss of habitat also fragments populations, making it harder for species to find mates and disperse, which can accelerate extinction risk for forest-dependent organisms.

Deforestation has other impacts that do not fit this option as well. It tends to increase carbon emissions, since the stored carbon in trees is released when forests are cleared or burned, rather than decrease emissions. It generally harms watershed health, as fewer trees mean more soil erosion and sediment in rivers, altering water quality and flow. An outcome of deforestation is not an increase in biodiversity; on the contrary, biodiversity typically declines as habitats are degraded.