Habitat Destruction IGCSE Biology 0610

Habitat Destruction and Deforestation: Impact on Biodiversity

Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.

Key concept

Habitat destruction removes the places where organisms live, reducing biodiversity. Deforestation removes trees that absorb CO2, releases stored carbon, reduces rainfall through less transpiration, and destroys habitats for many species.

Deforestation is a frequently tested topic that links ecology, the carbon cycle and conservation. Students must explain the multiple consequences of removing forests, not just loss of species but also effects on the atmosphere, soil and water cycle.

Causes of habitat destruction

Habitat destruction occurs when natural environments are converted for human use. Major causes include: clearing land for agriculture and livestock grazing, urbanisation and infrastructure development, mining and quarrying, and drainage of wetlands.

Deforestation specifically refers to the large-scale removal of forests. Tropical rainforests are being cleared at a particularly alarming rate for cattle ranching, soy cultivation, palm oil plantations and timber extraction. Rainforests contain an estimated 50% of all species on Earth.

Consequences of deforestation

Loss of biodiversity: Many species are found only in specific habitats. When the habitat is destroyed, species that depend on it may become endangered or extinct. This is particularly severe in tropical rainforests, which have the highest biodiversity on Earth.

Increased atmospheric CO₂: Trees absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis. Removing trees means less CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere. If the trees are burned, the carbon stored in their wood is released as CO₂, further increasing atmospheric levels.

Soil erosion: Tree roots hold soil in place. Without trees, rain washes away the topsoil, reducing soil fertility and causing sedimentation in rivers. Reduced rainfall: Trees release water vapour through transpiration, which contributes to cloud formation and rainfall. Deforestation can reduce local rainfall patterns.

Impact on indigenous communities

Many indigenous communities depend on forests for food, medicine, shelter and cultural identity. Deforestation destroys their way of life and removes traditional knowledge about forest ecosystems that could be valuable for conservation and medical research.

The loss of potential medicinal plants is significant because many pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest species. Destroying habitats before species are even discovered means potentially useful compounds are lost forever.

Reducing deforestation

Strategies to reduce deforestation include: establishing protected areas and national parks, implementing sustainable forestry practices (replanting trees and selective logging rather than clear-cutting), reforestation programmes to plant new forests, and reducing demand for products linked to deforestation (such as palm oil and beef from deforested areas).

International agreements and certification schemes (such as FSC-certified timber) also help, but enforcement remains a challenge in many regions.

Try a focused question (4 marks)

Explain two effects of deforestation on the environment.

Show the answer and marking guidance

Loss of habitat leads to loss of biodiversity as species that depend on the forest may become extinct.
Less CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere because there are fewer trees photosynthesising.
If trees are burned, stored carbon is released as CO2, increasing the greenhouse effect.
Soil erosion increases because tree roots no longer hold the soil in place.

Original Cambridge-style practice written for this site. It is not an official Cambridge past-paper question.

Common mix-ups to avoid

Check these points against your own answer before moving on.

Only mentioning loss of species without explaining the mechanism (habitat loss).
Forgetting that burning trees releases stored carbon as CO2.
Not linking deforestation to reduced transpiration and changes in rainfall.
Writing vague statements like "deforestation is bad for the planet" without specific biological explanations.