Q. 1.     How does deforestation reduce rainfall on the one hand and lead to floods on the other?

Answer

Deforestation leads to reduced rainfall because it leads to a reduction in natural recycling of moisture from the soils. This recycling takes place through vegetation and returns back in the form of rainfall. Deforestation also leads to floods. This is because the water holding capacity of the soil is dependent on the number of trees. As the number of tresses reduces, the soil structure changes, and the soil the particles that are held firmly gets disturbed. When there is heavy rainfall, the rainwater does not seep down into the ground and is not absorbed by the tress. Hence, it leads to flooding.