Environmental Science: Deforestation: Causes and Effects Worksheet

Question 1

What does deforestation mean? Write a clear definition in your own words.

Accepted Answer

Deforestation means cutting down or clearing many trees from a forest, often so the land can be used for farming, buildings, roads, or other human activities.

Question 2

A company cuts down part of a forest to make space for a cattle farm. Is this a cause or an effect of deforestation? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

This is a cause of deforestation because the forest is being cleared to make space for raising cattle.

Question 3

Look at the forest scene. List two living things that could lose their habitat if the trees were cut down.

Accepted Answer

Animals such as birds, monkeys, insects, squirrels, or deer could lose their habitat if the trees were cut down. Plants that grow in the shade of trees could also be affected.

Question 4

Choose the best answer: Which activity is most likely to cause deforestation? A. Planting new trees in a park B. Cutting trees to build a road C. Picking up litter near a stream D. Riding a bike to school

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B. Cutting trees to build a road is most likely to cause deforestation because trees are being removed from the land.

Question 5

Explain how deforestation can affect animals that live in trees.

Accepted Answer

Deforestation can affect tree-living animals by taking away their homes, food sources, nesting places, and safe places to hide from predators.

Question 6

A forest has 100 trees. Workers cut down 35 trees. How many trees are left? Then explain one possible effect of losing those trees.

Accepted Answer

There are 65 trees left because 100 minus 35 equals 65. Losing those trees could reduce animal habitats, increase soil erosion, or make the area hotter and drier.

Question 7

The diagram shows a hillside before and after trees are removed. Explain why soil might wash away more easily after deforestation.

Accepted Answer

Soil might wash away more easily after deforestation because tree roots help hold soil in place. Without roots and leaves to slow rain, water can carry more soil downhill.

Question 8

Name two reasons people cut down forests.

Accepted Answer

People cut down forests to make space for farms, roads, houses, or cities. They may also cut trees for wood, paper, or fuel.

Question 9

A community needs wood for building homes, but nearby wildlife depends on the forest. Suggest one responsible way the community could use forest resources.

Accepted Answer

The community could cut only some trees and plant new trees to replace them. They could also use recycled materials or choose wood from forests that are managed carefully.

Question 10

Look at the picture of a cleared forest area. Write one cause and one effect of what happened there.

Accepted Answer

One cause could be that trees were cut down for farming, logging, or building. One effect could be habitat loss, soil erosion, fewer plants and animals, or warmer ground temperatures.

Question 11

How can deforestation affect the air? Explain using the idea that trees take in carbon dioxide.

Accepted Answer

Deforestation can affect the air because trees take in carbon dioxide. When many trees are removed, less carbon dioxide is taken in, which can add to climate change over time.

Question 12

True or false: Deforestation only affects animals, not people. Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Deforestation can affect people by reducing clean water, increasing flooding or soil erosion, changing local climate, and removing resources people need.

Question 13

The chart shows three causes of deforestation in a region: farming 50 percent, logging 30 percent, and roads 20 percent. Which cause is the largest, and how do you know?

Accepted Answer

Farming is the largest cause because 50 percent is greater than 30 percent and 20 percent.

Question 14

Explain how planting new trees can help an area after deforestation.

Accepted Answer

Planting new trees can help by creating new habitats, holding soil in place with roots, cooling the area with shade, and taking in carbon dioxide as the trees grow.

Question 15

Look at the map showing a forest split into small patches by roads and farms. Why can this be a problem for animals?

Accepted Answer

This can be a problem because animals may have trouble finding food, mates, shelter, or safe paths between forest patches. Roads and farms can separate animals from the habitat they need.

Environmental Science: Deforestation: Causes and Effects

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