4.5 Genetic Modification
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deforestation happens naturally or can be human-induced. It has numerous impacts,
but this section will only explore its effects on cycles, ecosystems, weather, and
climate.
4.4.1 Climate Change and Biogeochemical Cycles
Deforestation is among the major contributors to global climate change. The
major problem brought about by deforestation is the effect on the carbon cycle.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) play a role in the absorption of thermal infrared radiation,
and when in large quantities, it can bring about climate change. Whereas oxygen
remains the second most abundant gas within the atmosphere, it fails to absorb
thermal infrared radiation in the same way as GHGs. CO 2 is the most prevalent
GHG and accounts for 82.2% of all the GHGs in the United States (Longobardi
et al. 2016).
Deforestation mainly affects the water and carbon cycle. Provide three reasons
for this tendency.
Deforestation reduces the quantity of carbon stored and releases CO 2 into the
atmosphere. It is because as trees die, they tend to release stored carbon. It is
heralded as the second primary anthropogenic source of CO 2 into the atmosphere.
Apart from the carbon cycle, the water cycle is also affected by deforestation. It
leads to lower global vapor flows from land. The slight change in vapor flows
could lead to the disruption of natural weather patterns. Trees are also crucial for
the water cycle as they absorb rain and produce water vapor that is emitted into
the atmosphere. They also reduce water pollution by halting polluted runoff. For
example, more than 50% of the water within the Amazon ecosystem is held in plants
(Longobardi et al. 2016). Furthermore, the loss of forests is a loss for complex
ecosystems that impact many species across the planet. When degraded, it could
lead to the devastation of ecosystems and biodiversity loss. Seventy percent of
the plants and animals that live within forests lose their habitats to deforestation
(Longobardi et al. 2016). The loss of habitat may result in the extinction of
species and has negative repercussions for populations that rely on services provided
by forests.
4.5 Genetic Modification
Genetic modification or engineering refers to the use of biotechnology to manipulate
the genes of an organism. They are technologies used for changing the genetic
composition of cells, such as genetic transfer in and across the boundaries of species.
91
deforestation happens naturally or can be human-induced. It has numerous impacts,
but this section will only explore its effects on cycles, ecosystems, weather, and
climate.
4.4.1 Climate Change and Biogeochemical Cycles
Deforestation is among the major contributors to global climate change. The
major problem brought about by deforestation is the effect on the carbon cycle.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) play a role in the absorption of thermal infrared radiation,
and when in large quantities, it can bring about climate change. Whereas oxygen
remains the second most abundant gas within the atmosphere, it fails to absorb
thermal infrared radiation in the same way as GHGs. CO 2 is the most prevalent
GHG and accounts for 82.2% of all the GHGs in the United States (Longobardi
et al. 2016).
Deforestation mainly affects the water and carbon cycle. Provide three reasons
for this tendency.
Deforestation reduces the quantity of carbon stored and releases CO 2 into the
atmosphere. It is because as trees die, they tend to release stored carbon. It is
heralded as the second primary anthropogenic source of CO 2 into the atmosphere.
Apart from the carbon cycle, the water cycle is also affected by deforestation. It
leads to lower global vapor flows from land. The slight change in vapor flows
could lead to the disruption of natural weather patterns. Trees are also crucial for
the water cycle as they absorb rain and produce water vapor that is emitted into
the atmosphere. They also reduce water pollution by halting polluted runoff. For
example, more than 50% of the water within the Amazon ecosystem is held in plants
(Longobardi et al. 2016). Furthermore, the loss of forests is a loss for complex
ecosystems that impact many species across the planet. When degraded, it could
lead to the devastation of ecosystems and biodiversity loss. Seventy percent of
the plants and animals that live within forests lose their habitats to deforestation
(Longobardi et al. 2016). The loss of habitat may result in the extinction of
species and has negative repercussions for populations that rely on services provided
by forests.
4.5 Genetic Modification
Genetic modification or engineering refers to the use of biotechnology to manipulate
the genes of an organism. They are technologies used for changing the genetic
composition of cells, such as genetic transfer in and across the boundaries of species.