Could deforestation on a massive scale effect the oxygen content of the earths atmosphere?

shygrneyzs

Of course it could and it does in areas where massive deforestation takes place - such as the Amazon rainforests.

Here is the Google page that lists links to many articles on this topic.

deforestation+oxygen - Google Search

Capuchin

Trees are the second main source of oxygen on the planet, after algae. Deforestation reduces the number of trees and so reduces the amount of carbon dioxide that is getting turned back into oxygen.

Evil dead

Like I stated in Capuchins post above, the deforestation going on presently is not enough to severly imbalance the oxygen levels, the the percentage fall is negligible. However, detrivores and other such decomposer's release waste when breaking down complex organics back into their basic elements. Carbon dioxide AND other carbon based compounds are released as waste or products during these process.

Most of the trees that are deforested are left to rot, they only make furniture out of prime trees with good woody resins as material, not the crap you find in many of england s forests. This rotting produces ALOT of carbon dioxide which severly adds to the the global warming.

Capuchin

What in my post was incorrect, evil dead?

Evil dead

Erm.....

I didn't think it was relevent since the deforestation currently is very massive yet Oxygen levels are at a usable rate....

Was I too fast?

NeedKarma

I think the part you missed was that he wasn't referring to the current amount of oxygen but to the rising amount of cardon dioxide. Go back and read the post that you disagreed with.

Capuchin

Yes, and how much longer, with continued growth of respiring species and continued deforestation will oxygen be at a usable rate?

I believe that the information i provided is very pertinent to the discussion, and not irrelevent at all.

Evil dead

Ok I apologise. I just wanted to give good info

chuff

I like your avatar, evil dead.