Question
Select the statement(s) that accurately predicts the impact of desertification on the ecosystem and food web.
Desertification will cause flooding and loss of plant cover.
Desertification has no major impact on food webs and ecosystems.
Desertification will cause loss of the soil food web and the plant life it supports.
Desertification will give farmers an empty place to plant and produce crops.
Desertification will cause the loss of fertile land and, in turn, the loss of food production
Desertification will cause flooding and loss of plant cover.
Desertification has no major impact on food webs and ecosystems.
Desertification will cause loss of the soil food web and the plant life it supports.
Desertification will give farmers an empty place to plant and produce crops.
Desertification will cause the loss of fertile land and, in turn, the loss of food production
Answers
GPT-5 mini
Accurate statements: 3 and 5.
- "Desertification will cause loss of the soil food web and the plant life it supports." — True. Degraded soils lose organic matter, moisture and microbes, collapsing soil food webs and reducing vegetation.
- "Desertification will cause the loss of fertile land and, in turn, the loss of food production." — True. Reduced soil fertility and productivity lead to lower crop yields and grazing capacity.
Why the others are incorrect or misleading:
- "Desertification will cause flooding and loss of plant cover." — Partly true (loss of plant cover is a core effect). Increased runoff and more intense flash flooding can occur in some contexts, but widespread flooding is not a universal or primary outcome.
- "Desertification has no major impact on food webs and ecosystems." — False. It significantly alters ecosystem structure, biodiversity and trophic interactions.
- "Desertification will give farmers an empty place to plant and produce crops." — False. It reduces soil fertility and water availability, making land less suitable for agriculture, not more.
- "Desertification will cause loss of the soil food web and the plant life it supports." — True. Degraded soils lose organic matter, moisture and microbes, collapsing soil food webs and reducing vegetation.
- "Desertification will cause the loss of fertile land and, in turn, the loss of food production." — True. Reduced soil fertility and productivity lead to lower crop yields and grazing capacity.
Why the others are incorrect or misleading:
- "Desertification will cause flooding and loss of plant cover." — Partly true (loss of plant cover is a core effect). Increased runoff and more intense flash flooding can occur in some contexts, but widespread flooding is not a universal or primary outcome.
- "Desertification has no major impact on food webs and ecosystems." — False. It significantly alters ecosystem structure, biodiversity and trophic interactions.
- "Desertification will give farmers an empty place to plant and produce crops." — False. It reduces soil fertility and water availability, making land less suitable for agriculture, not more.