Cutting down trees on a large scale impacts the quality of the soil. Why do you think it is so?
Cutting down trees on a large scale impacts soil quality because the roots of plants hold on to the soil and prevent it from being washed away by water or blown away by wind.
When trees are removed, soil erosion increases significantly.
Additionally, leaves that fall from trees decay and enrich the soil with nutrients, making it fertile.
Without trees, this natural recycling process stops, and the soil loses its fertility over time.
The chapter explains that forests support biodiversity and the soil in forests is enriched by decaying leaves.
Explanation
The chapter states that 'The roots of plants hold on to the soil and prevent it from being washed away. The leaves that fall from the trees decay and enrich the soil with nutrients.' It also mentions that forest cover has been decreasing mainly due to human activities like large-scale cutting of trees.
Solution Steps
Roots of plants hold on to the soil and prevent it from being washed away by water or blown away by wind.
When trees are removed, soil erosion increases significantly.
Leaves that fall from trees decay and enrich the soil with nutrients, making it fertile.
Without trees, the natural recycling process stops and the soil loses its fertility over time.
Forests support biodiversity and the soil in forests is enriched by decaying leaves.