How does cutting down trees cause erosion?

Answer 1

well I guess it would be possible if the dust that rose from where the tree fell included soil and it was carried off by the wind yes

Yes. Cutting down trees causes soil erosion because the tree roots help hold the soil in place. This protects the soil from being washed away during rainfall, or blown away by the wind.

Answer 2

Cutting down trees in itself does not cause erosion, yet by cutting down trees you are allowing more erosion to occur if one of the agents is present (which is often flowing water). Cutting down trees increases the exposure of the soil and other rock, including the country rock itself (the solid ground rock), to wind and rain, and will also increase the rate of coastal recession too if it is indeed on a coast.

Trees intercept precipitation (rain, sleet, hail, snow etc.) whose impact otherwise causes splash erosion as well as the inevitable gulley or rill erosion which accompanies surface run-off. Surface run-off itself is increased as there is far less absorption from the vegetation. This may also cause flooding, especially if the area has been concreted over.

Answer 3

Cutting down trees causes soil erosion because the tree roots help hold the soil in place. This protects the soil from being washed away during rainfall, or blown away by the wind.