Deforestation affects the carbon and water cycles
I can explain how deforestation disrupts the carbon and water cycles, and describe ways to reduce these impacts.
Deforestation affects the carbon and water cycles
I can explain how deforestation disrupts the carbon and water cycles, and describe ways to reduce these impacts.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Deforestation disrupts the carbon cycle because less CO₂ is absorbed from the atmosphere for photosynthesis
- CO₂ is a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere that enhances the greenhouse effect and contributes to climate change
- Deforestation disrupts the water cycle because less water is absorbed and transpired
- Deforestation leads to more surface runoff of water, increasing flooding and putting our food security at risk
- Mitigation strategies include reforestation and legal protection of forests to prevent deforestation
Keywords
Carbon cycle - a set of processes that transfer carbon between the atmosphere, organisms and Earth
Deforestation - the removal of trees, often to use the land for agriculture or building
Climate change - a long-term shift in weather patterns
Food security - having reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food to meet the needs of the human population
Water cycle - a set of processes that transfer water between the atmosphere, organisms and Earth
Common misconception
Thinking that we can chop down and destroy forests without affecting ecosystems.
The lessons explores how deforestation disrupts key processes in the carbon cycle and the water cycle, and how this can increase climate change, flooding, and put our food security at risk.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Deforestation affects the carbon and water cycles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Deforestation affects the carbon and water cycles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Climate change and biodiversity unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
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Lesson video
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
