Possible answers might include the following points: ■ Deforestation
is the cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forest
area. It is estimated that 20% of the Amazon rainforest has already
been cut down.
■ Deforestation affects the amount of water in the soil and
groundwater, thus affecting the recharge of aquifers and the
moisture in the atmosphere.
■ Deforestation increases surface water runoff, which can contribute
to flash flooding and extreme floods.
■ Increased deforestation in the Amazon basin could significantly
reduce water content in the air in the Amazon basin and result in
reduced rain and snowfall in the western United States. This could
cause water and food shortages and a greater risk of forest fires.
■ Deforestation erodes soil, washing it downstream and reducing soil
quality upstream.
■ Deforestation contributes to desertification.
■ Deforestation contributes to the pollution and clogging of
waterways.
■ Deforestation decreases biodiversity through the destruction of
native habitats.(c) (ii) 1 point possible for a correct cause of deforestation.Describe one cause of deforestation in the Amazon basin.Possible answers might include the following points: ■ Clearing of
land for agricultural purposes (e.g., soybeans, cattle, coconuts,
oranges, coffee, and palm oil). Eighty percent of land clearing is used
for raising cattle.
■ Clearing of land for roads.
■ Clearing of land for timber harvesting.
■ Clearing of land to increase the production of plants used for
biofuels.Question