According to the passage, which of the following are the consequences of decline in forest cover? 1. Loss of topsoil 2. Loss of smaller rivers 3. Adverse effect on agricultural production 4. Declining of groundwater Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Passage

Desertification' is a term used to explain a process of decline in the biological productivity of an ecosystem, leading to total loss of productivity. While this phenomenon is often linked to the arid, semi-arid and sub-humid ecosystems, even in the humid tropics, the impact could be most dramatic. Impoverishment of human-impacted terrestrial ecosystems may exhibit itself in a variety of ways : accelerated erosion as in the mountain regions of the country, salinization of land as in tht semi-arid and arid 'green revolution' areas of the country, e.g., Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, and site quality decline—a common phenomenon due to general decline in tree cover and monotonous monoculture of rice/wheat across the Indian plains. A major consequence of deforestation is that it relates to adverse alterations in the hydrology and related soil and nutrient losses. The consequences of deforestation invariably arise out of site degradation through erosive losses. Tropical Asia, Africa and South America have the highest levels of erosion. The already high rates for the tropics are increasing at an alarming rate (e.g., through the major river systems—Ganga and Brahmaputra, in the Indian context), due to deforestation and ill-suited land management practices subsequent to forest clearing. In the mountain context, the declining moisture retention of the mountain soils, drying up of the underground springs and smaller rivers in the Himalayan region could be attributed to drastic changes in the forest cover. An indirect consequence is drastic alteration in the upland-lowland interaction, mediated through water. The current concern the tea planter of Assam has is about the damage to tea plantations due to frequent inundation along the flood-plains of Brahmaputra, and the damage to tea plantation and the consequent loss in tea productivity is due to rising level of the river bottom because of siltation and the changing course of the river system. The ultimate consequences of site desertification are soil degradation, alteration in available water and its quality, and the consequent decline in food, fodder and fuel-wood yields essential for the economic well-being of rural communities.

QUESTION

CSAT

Medium

Comprehension

Prelims 2018

According to the passage, which of the following are the consequences of decline in forest cover?

Loss of topsoil
Loss of smaller rivers
Adverse effect on agricultural production
Declining of groundwater

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The passage mentions that deforestation and site degradation lead to "erosive losses," which are closely linked to the loss of topsoil. Hence, loss of topsoil is a direct consequence of the decline in forest cover.

Statement 2 is correct: The passage explains that declining moisture retention in mountain soils, drying up of underground springs, and smaller rivers in the Himalayan region are attributed to changes in forest cover. Therefore, the loss of smaller rivers is a consequence of forest cover decline.

Statement 3 is correct: The passage directly associates deforestation with adverse effects on agricultural production, particularly in the context of the tea plantations in Assam, where the rising water level due to siltation and changes in the river system damages the tea plantations and reduces productivity.

Statement 4 is correct: The passage highlights how deforestation can lead to drying up of underground springs, indicating a decline in groundwater.