The process of desertification can occur when
A. Plants usually found in the desert replace trees that have been cut down.
B. Farmers use contour farming techniques.
C. An area of forest is clear-cut.
D. An area of forest is selectively cut.
Is the answer C?
Thank you
Yes, the correct answer is C. An area of forest being clear-cut can contribute to the process of desertification.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand what desertification is and how it occurs. Desertification refers to the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, typically resulting in the expansion of desert-like conditions. This process is often caused by human activities, such as deforestation, overgrazing, and improper agricultural practices.
Options A, B, and D don't directly relate to the process of desertification.
- Option A mistakenly suggests that plants usually found in the desert would replace trees that have been cut down, which is an incorrect statement as desert plants are adapted to survive in arid conditions.
- Option B refers to contour farming techniques, which are agricultural practices aimed at reducing soil erosion but are not directly related to the desertification process.
- Option D mentions selective cutting of forests, which can still cause environmental issues but doesn't specifically contribute to desertification.
Option C, on the other hand, directly addresses the connection between the process of desertification and the clearing of forests. Clear-cutting, or the complete removal of trees from an area, can disrupt the balance of ecosystems, alter precipitation patterns, lead to soil erosion, and ultimately result in the progression of desert-like conditions.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. An area of forest being clear-cut can contribute to the process of desertification.