Which of the following describes a negative consequence of clear-cutting?

The correct answer highlights that clear-cutting can lead to altered water cycles, which is a significant concern in forestry and environmental science. Clear-cutting involves the complete removal of trees in a designated area, which drastically changes the landscape and can disrupt the natural processes that regulate water flow and availability.

When forests are cleared, the soil is often exposed, leading to increased runoff and decreased absorption of rainwater. Trees play a crucial role in the water cycle; they help maintain humidity levels and impact local weather patterns through transpiration, where water is absorbed by roots and released as vapor. With the absence of trees, these processes are disrupted, potentially leading to problems such as soil erosion, changes in groundwater levels, and even flooding or drought in nearby areas as the ecosystem struggles to adapt to the sudden change.

Other options, such as increased biodiversity, enhanced ecosystem resilience, or improved tree growth, do not accurately reflect the typical outcomes associated with clear-cutting. Instead, clear-cutting tends to lead to a decline in biodiversity, as numerous species lose their habitat; it undermines ecosystem resilience by removing the intricate relationships between organisms necessary for a balanced ecosystem; and while tree growth may initially seem improved through replanting, the long-term effects on the surrounding environment