Question

which of the following is a negative effect of deforestation?
dramatic increases in biodiversity
decreased amounts of erosion
increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
increased amount of habitat for forest species

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• "dramatic increases in biodiversity": Deforestation destroys habitats, reducing biodiversity, so this is incorrect.
• "decreased amounts of erosion": Trees prevent erosion; deforestation increases erosion, so this is incorrect.
• "increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere": Trees absorb \(CO_2\); deforestation reduces absorption, increasing atmospheric \(CO_2\), a negative effect.
• "increased amount of habitat for forest species": Deforestation destroys habitats, reducing them, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

C. increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere