How does deforestation contribute to climate change?

Deforestation significantly contributes to climate change primarily by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. When forests are cleared or burned, not only is this CO2 absorption capacity lost, but the carbon stored in the trees is also released back into the atmosphere, further amplifying the greenhouse effect.

In the absence of trees, there is a marked reduction in the Earth's natural ability to filter CO2, leading to higher concentrations of this gas in the atmosphere. This change disrupts the balance of greenhouse gases and accelerates the warming of the planet, contributing to climate change.

The other options relate to different concepts that do not accurately reflect the mechanisms of how deforestation affects climate. The assertion that deforestation increases the number of trees or enhances soil fertility contradicts the very definition of deforestation, which involves the removal of trees. Additionally, while promoting biodiversity and ecological stability is generally a positive aspect of healthy ecosystems, deforestation does the opposite by threatening these attributes. Therefore, the rationale of increased greenhouse gas concentrations due to reduced CO2 absorption directly ties to the core environmental impact of deforestation on climate change.