Forests and natural ecosystems store a great deal of carbon above and below ground and in the soil.  When a forest is cleared, most of the carbon is emitted to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). Deforestation and forest fires processes emit large quantities of greenhouse gases and have a direct impact in climate dynamics. Besides being a source of greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation has a high impact on the water cycle. Forests play a key role in the groundwater recharge process. A great part of the water available in the atmosphere (as water vapour) is supplied by the vegetation during the evapotranspiration process, which takes place particularly in the leaves. Smoke from forest fires also undermines cloud and rain formation, which may affect the rain patterns at distant locations. Deforestation affects water availability both above and underground. A vicious cycle of environmental degradation and climate change is formed, as the dry seasons become more severe and forests become more fire prone.