The correct answer is C) It destroys forests and leads to deforestation.
Explanation:
The slash-and-burn method involves cutting down vegetation and then burning it to clear land for agriculture. While it can provide short-term benefits like increased agricultural productivity, one of the significant negative consequences is the destruction of forests, which leads to deforestation. This loss of forest cover can have severe environmental impacts, including loss of biodiversity, disruption of ecosystems, and contributions to climate change through increased carbon emissions. Therefore, option C highlights a critical negative consequence of this agricultural practice.