Question

which of the following would most likely result from the deforestation of large areas of tropical rain forests caused by slash - and - burn agriculture?
a increased ozone thinning because of the release of cfcs
b decreased acid rain because of the sequestration of so₂
c increased global temperature because of the release of co₂
d deceased evaporation because of the loss of the tree canopy

Explanation:

• Option A: CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are mainly related to ozone - layer depletion from sources like old - style refrigerants and aerosols, not deforestation.
• Option B: Acid rain is mainly caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide (\(SO_{2}\)) and nitrogen oxides (\(NO_{x}\)) from industrial processes and fossil - fuel combustion. Deforestation does not sequester \(SO_{2}\) in a way that would decrease acid rain.
• Option C: Trees absorb \(CO_{2}\) through photosynthesis. When forests are burned (slash - and - burn agriculture), the stored \(CO_{2}\) is released into the atmosphere. \(CO_{2}\) is a greenhouse gas, and an increase in its concentration leads to an enhanced greenhouse effect and increased global temperatures.
• Option D: While the tree canopy is involved in the water cycle (transpiration is a form of evaporation from plants), the main and most direct impact of deforestation in terms of climate - related global effects is through the release of \(CO_{2}\) rather than just a change in evaporation.

Answer:

C. Increased global temperature because of the release of \(CO_{2}\)