Question

Humans often remove large areas of forests in order to build homes, office buildings, factories, and shopping areas. If a forested area is cut down in order to construct a shopping center, predict the effect this human activity would have on the soil erosion in the area.
Responses
A Soil erosion will decrease.Soil erosion will decrease.
B Soil erosion will increase.Soil erosion will increase.
C Soil erosion will remain the same.Soil erosion will remain the same.
D Soil erosion will decrease and then remain the same.Soil erosion will decrease and then remain the same.

Answer 1

B — Soil erosion will increase.

Removing forests eliminates vegetation and roots that hold soil in place and intercept rainfall; exposed soil and increased runoff from cleared land lead to greater erosion.