Question

1. a large forest is cut down and replaced with a shopping center. based on your understanding of the carbon cycle, which of the following best explains how this change could affect the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? it would decrease co₂ levels because the new buildings absorb carbon. it would increase co₂ levels because fewer trees are available to remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. it would decrease co₂ levels because construction materials store carbon permanently. it would have no effect on co₂ levels because the carbon cycle only involves the oceans.

Explanation:

Trees absorb carbon - dioxide through photosynthesis. When a large forest is cut down to build a shopping center, there are fewer trees to perform this function. Construction materials do not store carbon in a way that would significantly offset the loss of carbon - dioxide absorption by trees. The carbon cycle involves multiple components including the atmosphere, land (like forests), and oceans. Since fewer trees are available for carbon - dioxide uptake, the amount of carbon - dioxide in the atmosphere would increase.

Answer:

It would increase CO₂ levels because fewer trees are available to remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.