These, and other forests, are important not only for their role in maintaining biological diversity but also because of their role in global climate. They are a significant factor in taking carbon dioxide, the primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas, out of the atmosphere. Increased deforestation could lead to a greater build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, with consequent global warming.
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This image, constructed using Landsat data, highlights the deforestation caused by logging in the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington. The small yellow ΓÇ£dotsΓÇ¥ represent regions logged between 1973 and 1982. Red areas represent regions logged between 1982 and 1988.
