Deforestation Can Cause Eight-Fold Increase in Flood Risk, Report Finds

A study of decades of data has revealed that Australia’s devastating fires carry an additional danger—the areas risk further damage from destructive floods.

A supplied image shows CFA firetrucks near an out of control bushfire in the Grampians National park, Victoria on Dec. 23, 2024. AAP Image/Supplied by CFA

The question of whether deforestation can increase flood risks seems obvious, but scientists have struggled for centuries to find a proven link.

Two university reports now cast new light on the issue, including the finding that the chances of large-scale flooding can increase by over 700 percent if widespread deforestation occurred previously.