Answer: Clearing forests for agriculture, logging, or development; causes: biodiversity loss, increased CO 2 , soil erosion, disrupted water cycle, desertification.
- A Planting new trees deliberately on previously degraded land specifically to help reduce long-term soil erosion rates over time under usual circumstances
- B Clearing forests for agriculture, logging, or development; causes: biodiversity loss, increased CO<sub>2</sub>, soil erosion, disrupted water cycle, desertification
- C Establishing brand new forest cover on land areas that had rarely previously supported any forest growth according to most researchers in the majority of cases studied
- D The natural, gradual renewal of forest cover that occurs spontaneously after a wildfire or major disease outbreak as widely reported in standard practice
Correct answer: B. Clearing forests for agriculture, logging, or development; causes: biodiversity loss, increased CO<sub>2</sub>, soil erosion, disrupted water cycle, desertification
Explanation: Deforestation: removal of forests (mainly tropical). Effects: (1) Biodiversity loss (most species in tropical forests); (2) Increased CO<sub>2</sub> (forests are carbon sinks); (3) Soil erosion (roots hold soil); (4) Disrupted water cycle (transpiration contributes to rainfall); (5) Flooding; (6) Desertification. Main drivers: agriculture (soy, cattle), palm oil, timber.
Sunlight passes through the atmosphere and warms the surface; the surface re-radiates this energy as infrared heat, which greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, water vapour) absorb and trap - a naturally beneficial process that intensifies into global warming as gas concentrations rise from human activity.
Concept context
Pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation, and sustainability. Important for NEET and general awareness.