How does deforestation impact local and global ecosystems?

Deforestation significantly impacts both local and global ecosystems through habitat destruction and increased carbon emissions. When forests are cleared, the intricate ecosystems and numerous species that rely on these habitats are often lost, leading to a decline in biodiversity. Animals and plants native to these areas may become endangered or extinct as their natural homes are destroyed.

Additionally, trees play a crucial role in carbon sequestration; they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help mitigate climate change. When forests are cut down, not only is this carbon storage capacity lost, but the act of deforestation itself releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to higher levels of greenhouse gases. This not only affects local climate conditions but also has far-reaching effects on global climate patterns.

Through these processes, deforestation contributes to a reduction in biodiversity and a significant increase in carbon emissions, making option C the most accurate choice regarding the consequences of deforestation on ecosystems.