Question

Deforestation is the greatest threat to tropical rainforests. Deforestation is the removal of trees in a certain area. Trees are often taken down to make room for farms and roads. Timber from trees can be harvested and sold. As a result of deforestation, tropical rainforests are shrinking. Since tropical rainforests cover only six percent of Earth’s surface, every bit of rainforest left is critical. A smaller rainforest means less oxygen will be produced and less carbon dioxide will be stored in trees. Furthermore, trees that are cut down release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This has the potential to make climate change happen even faster. On top of this, a shrinking rainforest threatens biodiversity. As their habitat shrinks, plants and animals are at a higher risk of extinction. Many ingredients in medicine have been discovered in plants from the tropical rainforest. What if the next plant to go extinct is one that could have saved lives?

According to the passage, which of the following is an effect of deforestation?

Choose one option
A
decreased biodiversity in tropical rainforests

B
increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

C
decreased oxygen production

D
all of the above

Answer 1

D. all of the above

The passage states that deforestation reduces biodiversity, increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (trees release CO2 and store less), and decreases oxygen production.