Correct Answer:
C. Soil erosion
The correct answer is Soil erosion. Deforestation involves the clearing of forests, which significantly impacts the environment. Tree roots play a crucial role in binding soil particles together, preventing them from being washed away by rain or blown away by wind. When trees are removed, the soil loses this protective cover and structural integrity, making it highly susceptible to erosion.
- Rainfall typically decreases in deforested areas due to reduced evapotranspiration, not increases.
- Biodiversity decreases with deforestation as habitats are destroyed, leading to species loss.
- Oxygen production decreases because trees are major producers of oxygen through photosynthesis.