Environmental Studies · Geography

Deforestation and Land Degradation

2,619 Questions

Deforestation and land degradation address the environmental impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems. Key areas include soil erosion, forest fires, and the consequences of overgrazing. These subjects frequently appear in the geography and environmental science sections of competitive exams.

Causes of deforestationForest fires consequencesSoil erosion factorsDesertification impactsAgroforestry benefitsReforestation advantages

Deforestation and Land Degradation Questions

Multiple choice evs let's plant trees damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

Which of the following contributes the most towards deforestation?

  1. Logging

  2. Commercial agriculture

  3. Subsistence farming

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Subsistence farming is responsible for $48$% of deforestation; Commercial agriculture is responsible for $32$%; logging is responsible for $14$%, and fuel wood removals make up $5$%.

Multiple choice evs let's plant trees damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

The results of deforestation is/are:

  1. the reduction in water content of the soil

  2. the increase in water content of the soil

  3. drier climate

  4. increases moisure content of air
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A,C Correct answer
Explanation

The water cycle is affected by deforestation.Trees extract groundwater through their roots and release it into the atmosphere. When part of a forest is removed, the trees no longer transpire this water, resulting in a much drier climate.Deforestation reduces the content of water in the soil and groundwater as well as atmospheric moisture. The dry soil leads to lower water intake for the trees to extract.Deforestation reduces soil cohesion, so that erosion,flooding and landslides ensue.

Multiple choice evs let's plant trees damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

If deforestation is done in large scale, this natural calamity may occur

  1. Volcanic eruption

  2. Earthquakes

  3. Global warming

  4. Tsunamis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

If deforestation is performed, there will be no trees so, the amount of the greenhouse gasses will increase in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gasses trap heat from the infrared radiation in the atmosphere and increases the atmosphere's temperature i.e, global warming. 

Thus, the correct answer is option C. 

Multiple choice evs - i rules are for everyone damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment sustainability of natural resources adaptations - mangrove swamps, fast flowing rivers and treetops halophiles pollution of soil degradation of land

Deforestation may reduce the chances of

  1. Rainfall

  2. Frequent cyclones

  3. Erosion of surface soil

  4. Frequent land slides
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Deforestation is the process of cutting or removal of forest to fulfill the need of the population. It has many negative impacts on the environment such as loss of species, soil erosion and reduces rainfall. The tree absorbs water from soil for photosynthesis and produces water vapor that is released into the atmosphere which in turn causes rainfall. If there will be less number of the tree then rainfall will also decrease. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

Deforestation is the major causal agent of

  1. Depletion of natural resources

  2. Environmental pollution

  3. Desertification of habitat

  4. Genetic erosion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Deforestation leads to erosion of top fertile layer of the soil, it also depletes the soil of decomposing microorganisms and thus humus. Absence of humus makes the soil dry i.e, its water holding capacity is decreases. So no vegetation grows in the soil, further depleting the condition of the soil leading to desert like condition. Hence, also called desertification
So, the correct answer is 'Desertification of habitat'
Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

Which one is not a natural factor for causing soil erosion?

  1. Gullying

  2. Clips

  3. Rilling

  4. Deforestation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Soil erosion is the process of weathering of top layer of soil either due to natural factor or artificial factor. The natural factors are called as erosion agents. These include water, wind, ice. Water produces 4 types of erosion, namely splash erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion, and gully erosion. Gully erosion occurs due to drainage of soil by surface water runoff. Rilling erosion is the erosion due to concentrated water running through little streamlets. Deforestation is the artificial or man-made factor for causing soil erosion.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Deforestation.'

Multiple choice evs let's plant trees damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

Deforestation does not lead to

  1. Quick nutrient cycling

  2. Soil erosion

  3. Alteration of local weather conditions

  4. Destruction of natural habitat of wild animals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Deforestation leads to soil erosion, alteration of local weather conditions, destruction of natural habitat of wild animals, but it does not lead quick nutrient cycling

So, the correct answer is 'Quick nutrient cycling'

Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

Maximum damage to forest cover is caused by

  1. Edaphic factors

  2. Climatic factors

  3. Biotic factors

  4. Physiographic factors
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
A. Edaphic factors are the abiotic factors that relate to structure and composition of soil.
B. Climatic factors include rain, wind, earthquake etc. which are related to climate.
C. Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem which include producers and consumers.
D. Physiographic factors are the factors associated with physical nature and topography of an area.
Maximum damage to forest is caused by biotic factors as overgrazing destroy vegetation and also due to human activities. 
So, the correct answer is 'Biotic factors'.
Multiple choice evs - i rules are for everyone damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment sustainability of natural resources adaptations - mangrove swamps, fast flowing rivers and treetops halophiles pollution of soil degradation of land

Forest destruction results in 

  1. Loss of wild life

  2. Famine, floods and drought

  3. Soil erosion

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Deforestation is the cutting of trees which disturbs the equilibrium of a healthy environment. It increases the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. They produce oxygen and regulates the water cycle by releasing water vapour into the atmosphere. Without trees, forest lands can quickly become barren land. It also causes loss of wildlife, due to the loss of its habitat. Deforestation leads to famine (scarcity of food), flood, and drought as well as loosened soil causes soil erosion. Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

If forest cover is reduced to half, what is most likely to happen on a long term basis? 

  1. Tribals living in these areas will starve to death.

  2. Domestic animals in these and joining areas will die due to lack of fodder.

  3. Large biomes will become deserts.

  4. Crop breeding programes will suffer due to a reduced ability of variety of germplasm.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

If forest cover is reduced to half, it would adversely affect the inhabitants. In rural areas, a community of people lives in the forest as a part of their tradition. They are completely dependent on the forest for their basic needs. They worship the trees and consider it as their ancestral belongings. The dependent tribals on a particular forest will be harmed by the clearing of the forest.

Multiple choice evs let's plant trees damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

What are the advantages of reforestation?

  1. It helps to reduce the concentration of CO$ _2$ in the environment.

  2. It has the potential to preserve endangered species.

  3. It can reverse the damage done by erosion.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Deforestation results in an increase in CO$ _2$ concentration in the atmosphere, greenhouse gasses like CO$ _2$ and methane significantly contribute to a changing climate. Reforestation involves the planting of the trees of same species. It is an effective method to reduce CO$ _2$ in the atmosphere, it also helps in restoring habitat loss and also helps in fighting against climate change and help in restoring endangered species from extinction.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Multiple choice general knowledge the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil soil erosion and conservation

The cutting of forests leads to

  1. Soil erosion and incontrollable floods

  2. Desilting and denaturation

  3. Increase of rainfall and humidity

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Deforestation removes the root systems that hold soil in place and the canopy that intercepts rainfall, leading to increased surface runoff, soil erosion, and flooding.

Multiple choice general knowledge the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil soil erosion and conservation

In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?
1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

  1. 1 and 2

  2. Only 2

  3. 1 and 3

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Deforestation is a major driver of soil erosion as it removes the protective root systems that hold soil in place. Terrace cultivation is actually a method used to prevent erosion on slopes, and tropical climate is a broad factor rather than a direct cause.