CBSE Class 8 Answered

(i) The fewer trees remaining after deforestation utilizes less carbon dioxide during photosynthesis resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. The increase in temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall. This could cause droughts.

(ii) Increase in soil fertility cannot be caused by deforestation.

Deforestation causes large amount of soil erosion, due to which the lower, hard and rocky layers get exposed. The fertile soil gets washed away during soil erosion. Hence, soil fertility gets reduced and is not increased during deforestation.