How does deforestation directly affect the water cycle?

Deforestation significantly impacts the water cycle, particularly through its influence on local rainfall patterns and water runoff. When forests are removed, the factors that contribute to the water cycle are altered. Trees play a vital role in transpiration, a process where they absorb water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere as moisture. This process helps maintain local humidity and can contribute to cloud formation and precipitation.

Without trees, there is less transpiration, which often leads to a decrease in local rainfall. Additionally, the loss of vegetation removes the natural barriers and filter systems that prevent soil erosion. This erosion can result in more runoff and less water being absorbed into the soil, causing increased flooding in some areas due to water not being retained. The combination of reduced rainfall and increased flooding illustrates how deforestation disrupts the normal functions of the water cycle, thereby impacting local ecosystems and water availability. Thus, the statement about decreased local rainfall and increased flooding accurately describes the consequences of deforestation on the water cycle.