Urbanization and Deforestation

In 2005, the government of Brazil released information showing that over 10,000 square miles of the Amazon rain forest had been destroyed. Cattle ranching is the leading cause of deforestation reported by the Brazilian government. What will most likely be the immediate result of deforestation in the Amazon rain forest?

• a decrease in the use of alternative energy

• an increase in biodiversity in the region

• a decrease in the rate of soil erosion

• an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide

Why do large metropolitan areas have difficulty dealing with solid waste?

• they produce such a large amount of waste that trash companies cannot manage the removal it

• they produce large amounts of leachate that can't be controlled

• they have a hard time following the regulations of environmental protection agencies

• they lack suitable landfill sites nearby since the city is expansivethey lack suitable landfill sites nearby since the city is expansive

As part of a study of the effects of urbanization, local scientists have taken many data samples over the course of 20 years. The scientists detected increases in local soil erosion, carbon dioxide levels, and air temperatures. What most likely caused these changes?

• deforestation of woodlands

• decreased water quality

• altered water flow

• erosion of topsoil

• Site 2 experienced a decrease in the amount of phosphorus pollution after 1995

• Site 1 experienced major changes in its phosphorus pollution policies after 1991.

• Site 2 experienced a mostly steady increase in phosphorus pollution over seven years

• Site 1 experienced a mostly steady decrease in phosphorus pollution over seven years.

When farmers clear a forest and plant crops, how will the biodiversity of the land be affected?

• The biodiversity will decrease with higher populations of fewer species

• The biodiversity will increase with lower populations of more species

• The biodiversity will decrease with lower populations of more species.

• The biodiversity will increase with higher populations of fewer species