Question

how does the destruction of forests contribute to levels of atmospheric carbon?
a. levels of atmospheric carbon are unaffected by destruction of forests, because the carbon entering the carbon cycle from the dead trees balances out the loss of carbon absorption during photosynthesis.
b. when trees are destroyed, their stored carbon reenters the carbon cycle decreasing levels of atmospheric carbon.
c. fewer trees leads to greater amounts of carbon dioxide being absorbed from the atmosphere.
d. fewer trees leads to smaller amounts of carbon dioxide being absorbed from the atmosphere.
please select the best answer from the choices provided

Explanation:

Trees absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide via photosynthesis, reducing atmospheric carbon. Forest destruction removes these carbon sinks, so fewer trees mean less CO₂ is taken from the atmosphere, increasing atmospheric carbon levels. Option a is wrong because forest destruction does affect atmospheric carbon. Option b is wrong because stored carbon reentering the cycle increases, not decreases, atmospheric carbon. Option c is wrong because fewer trees mean less, not more, CO₂ absorption.

Answer:

d. Fewer trees leads to smaller amounts of carbon dioxide being absorbed from the atmosphere.