pd5,group1

Demi, Lori, Natalie, Lindsay

Because of a very busy schedule, this fall's EarthKAM mission will consist of an investigation into how certain human activities affect the climate of an area. For our investigation, we chose to look at the climate of an area affected by deforestation and the resulting agricultural or urban land use, how the global ecosystem is affected by deforestation and the resulting agricultural or urban land use, and what you can do to reduce the impact of deforestation.

How is the climate of an area affected by deforestation, and the resulting agricultural or urban land use? Well, C02 is released into the atmosphere and it contributes to the greenhouse effects which changes the temperature. There could be an increase in temperature changes, sea levels, and other cycles on our surface. Finally, when deforestation takes place, there are no plants to hold water, so it could lead to a drier climate.

Deforestation is affecting the global ecosystem by shrinking the tropical forest population. It changes the weather by altering wind and ocean current patterns, and changes the rainfall distribution. Deforestation is also affecting the global ecosystem because they are extincting "surface albedo" which is needed to heat the earth. Another way is rainfall. When they set fires to get rid of the trees, it is creating air-pollution which releases aerosols that can heat and cool the air.

Finally the third question is "What can you do to release the impact of deforestation?". One way is to plant trees to absorb carbon-dioxide from the air. Another way is to recycle to help save natural resourses. The last thing that you could do to reduce the impact of deforestation is to buy products that don't use as much energy.

As you can tell, deforestation has a big impact on the earth. If you follow the ideas for the third question, you can help limit the impact that deforestation has and help get rid of global warming, and help keep the climate normal and safe. Sources you could use to find this and more information: ~stock,Jocelyn and Rochen, Andy. "The Choice:Doomsday or Arbor Day" http://www.umich.edu/%7Egs265/society/deforestation.htm. ~ http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0906.htm ~Collins, Jocelyn. "Deforestation". Envirofacts. http://www.bcb.uwc.ac.za/Envfacts/facts/deforestation.htm.(2001).