In a chain of consequences after a forest is cleared, what is an immediate, direct impact?
A. species go extinct
B. the greenhouse effect increases
C. habitat is destroyed
D. carbon dioxide is sequestered at lower rates
C. habitat is destroyed
The immediate, direct impact of a forest being cleared is C. habitat is destroyed.
To determine the immediate, direct impact when a forest is cleared, we need to understand the chain of consequences that follow. Here's an explanation of the potential impacts:
A. Species go extinct: While the loss of a forest can lead to the extinction of some species over time, this is not an immediate, direct impact. It may take many years for species to go extinct due to habitat loss.
B. The greenhouse effect increases: The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere, primarily caused by certain gases like carbon dioxide. While deforestation can contribute to the greenhouse effect in the long term, it is not an immediate, direct impact. The greenhouse effect is a gradual process that occurs over time with the accumulation of greenhouse gases.
C. Habitat is destroyed: When a forest is cleared, the immediate and direct impact is the destruction of the habitat. This has a significant effect on the organisms that rely on the forest for food, shelter, and survival. The loss of habitat can lead to displacement, increased competition for resources, and even population declines in some species.
D. Carbon dioxide is sequestered at lower rates: Forests play a crucial role in sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. When a forest is cleared, the rates of CO2 sequestration are reduced since the trees and plants, which remove CO2 from the air, are removed. However, this is not an immediate, direct impact but rather a long-term consequence.
Therefore, the immediate, direct impact when a forest is cleared is C. Habitat is destroyed.