Deforestation and the Carbon and Water Cycles — Revision notes

Carbon cycle

The constant movement of carbon between the atmosphere, living organisms, the soil, and deep underground

Biomass

The total mass of living biological organisms in a given area, full of carbon-based molecules built from glucose

Transpiration

The process where plants absorb water through their roots and release it back into the atmosphere through their leaves

Surface runoff

Water flowing downhill across the ground into rivers and eventually the oceans

Precipitation

Rainfall, snow, and hail falling from the sky as part of the water cycle

Enhanced greenhouse effect

When extra greenhouse gases trap more heat in the atmosphere, accelerating climate change

Topsoil

The light, nutrient-rich upper layer of soil that plants need to grow

Food security

Having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food

Reforestation

Planting trees back in areas where forests have been cleared

Photosynthesis

The process plants use to absorb carbon dioxide from the air and combine it with water to build glucose

Fossil fuels

Carbon locked away deep underground, in the form of coal, oil, and natural gas, made from the remains of organisms that lived millions of years ago

What this lesson covers

How well do you know each one? Be honest: red means go back over it.

• Explain what deforestation is and why forests are cut downNot yetSort ofGot it
• Describe how trees store carbon and how deforestation releases itNot yetSort ofGot it
• Explain how losing trees reduces photosynthesis and raises CO2 levelsNot yetSort ofGot it
• Describe the part transpiration plays in the water cycleNot yetSort ofGot it
• Explain how deforestation leads to flooding and soil erosionNot yetSort ofGot it
• Evaluate reforestation as a strategy and explain how it affects food securityNot yetSort ofGot it

Test yourself

Cover the answer, say it out loud, then check the full quiz on the lesson page.

• Which process allows trees and other producers to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their bodies?
• What happens to rainfall over lowland areas when forests are removed?
• A forest is cleared and heavy rain falls shortly after. Which TWO effects are most likely to happen to the soil?

Topic quiz

13 questions on this topic only — not mixed with anything else, one at a time.

Spelling challenge

Read the definition, then type the correct spelling of the term. Uses the same terms as above.