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Climate Change
Trees act as a carbon sink. Carbon dioxide is necessary for plants, including trees, as part of their respiratory process. Carbon dioxide created through man-made processes is absorbed into the plants instead of being released into the atmosphere. Scientists agree that deforestation and the resulting lack of available carbon sinks contribute to the temperatures increasing, because of the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Temperatures in the Northeast U.S. are expected to rise as a result of deforestation.
Biodiversity
The forests of the Northeast were once home to various species ranging from carnivores such as wolves to herbivores such as deer and moose. All the animals, as well as the plants, are part of a larger cycle and each depends on the others for its survival. When the forests were lost, the herbivores lost their food source and their numbers were reduced. As a result, the carnivores' numbers dwindled due to a lack of prey.
Water Runoff
The trees making up the forests of the Northeast U.S. have a complex root system and a large demand for water. When snow melts in the hills and mountains or rain falls, the root systems slow the water's movement to the low lying areas. The slowing of the water retains the water where it is needed. When forests are removed through deforestation, the water is no longer slowed. This can result in mudslides and rising river levels.
Loss of Topsoil
When the trees are removed through deforestation, the top soil is washed away along with the runoff. This causes a reduction in the soil fertility over time. Eventually, without the nutrient-rich top soil, land becomes infertile. Further, the soil is washed into rivers and streams. This causes them to become full of silt, ultimately reducing visibility. The increase of soil nutrients in the water also affects fish and aquatic creatures.