in a chain of consequences after a forest is cleared, what is an immediate, direct impact?
a. Carbon dioxide is sequestered at lower rates.
b. Species go extinct.
c. Habitat is destroyed.
d. The greenhouse effect increases.
c. Habitat is destroyed.
The immediate, direct impact after a forest is cleared is c. Habitat is destroyed.
To determine the immediate, direct impact after a forest is cleared, we need to analyze the possible consequences of deforestation. Let's go through each option and determine which one is the most immediate and direct impact:
a. Carbon dioxide is sequestered at lower rates: When a forest is cleared, the trees are removed and unable to absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This reduces the rate at which carbon dioxide is sequestered, but it may not be the most immediate and direct impact.
b. Species go extinct: Deforestation can lead to the loss of habitats for various plant and animal species, which can ultimately result in their extinction. However, this consequence may take a longer time to manifest and may not be the immediate and direct impact.
c. Habitat is destroyed: Clearing a forest directly destroys the habitat of many species. This destruction happens immediately as the trees are removed, making it a direct and immediate impact of deforestation.
d. The greenhouse effect increases: Deforestation contributes to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide. However, this consequence is an indirect and long-term impact rather than an immediate and direct one.
Based on the above analysis, the immediate, direct impact after a forest is cleared is most accurately described as: c. Habitat is destroyed.