8. What are the costs and benefits of deforestation? __ 9. How does deforestation add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere? __ 10. shaped the __

## Step 1<br />Deforestation refers to the process of clearing large areas of forest or trees. This can be done for various reasons such as agricultural expansion, urbanization, or logging. The costs and benefits of deforestation are multifaceted and can vary depending on the perspective.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The costs of deforestation include the loss of biodiversity, disruption of water cycles, and contribution to climate change. Forests are home to a vast array of plant and animal species. When these forests are destroyed, the habitats of these species are also destroyed, leading to a loss of biodiversity. Additionally, forests play a crucial role in the water cycle by absorbing water from the soil and releasing it into the atmosphere. When forests are destroyed, this process is disrupted, leading to changes in local and global weather patterns. Lastly, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. When trees are cut down, the stored carbon is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The benefits of deforestation, from an economic perspective, include the creation of jobs in logging and the expansion of agricultural lands. However, these benefits are often short-term and do not take into account the long-term environmental costs.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Deforestation contributes to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through a process called carbon release. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. This process helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, when trees are cut down, the stored carbon is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. This process is known as carbon release. Additionally, when trees are burned or left to rot, the stored carbon is also released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. This process is known as carbon release through decomposition.