Deforestation has profound and wide-reaching impacts on the environment, biodiversity, and human life. One of the most significant effects is **loss of biodiversity**. Forests are home to around 80% of terrestrial species, and deforestation destroys the habitats of countless plants and animals, leading to extinction and the disruption of ecosystems.

Deforestation also contributes heavily to **climate change**. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, and their removal results in increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. Additionally, forests play a crucial role in regulating local and global weather patterns, and deforestation can lead to more extreme weather, such as droughts and floods.

The loss of forests also impacts the **water cycle** by reducing the amount of water that trees release into the atmosphere through transpiration, leading to drier conditions. Furthermore, deforestation can cause **soil erosion** and degradation, reducing soil fertility and increasing the likelihood of landslides.

For humans, deforestation threatens livelihoods, especially for indigenous communities that rely on forests for sustenance and cultural practices. It also diminishes resources such as timber, medicinal plants, and food. Overall, deforestation poses serious ecological, social, and economic challenges that need urgent attention.