Deforestation contributes to climate change because fewer trees mean that _________ CO 2 is removed from the atmosphere, and less _______________ is absorbed, causing a hotter environment.

So here we have a practice problem that wants us to choose one of the 4 potential answer options down below that best fills in these two blanks in the statement that says, deforestation contributes to climate change because fewer trees mean that blank c 02 is removed from the atmosphere, and less blank is absorbed causing a hotter environment. Now, of course, we know from our previous lesson videos that forests create somewhat of a cooling effect, so it helps to decrease the temperatures. And so, of course, deforestation is going to somewhat create a hotter environment. Now, for this first blank, the options are either less or more. And, of course, we know that having fewer trees means that there's going to be less photosynthesis. And, of course, photosynthesis is going to remove carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere. And so having less photosynthesis means that less carbon dioxide gas is going to be removed from the atmosphere. So what that means is that now we're between either options a and b, which both suggest less for the first blank, and we can eliminate answer options c and d, which both suggest more for the first blank, and that's not going to be correct. Now the next blank says, unless blank is absorbed, causing a hotter environment, and the options are water or solar radiation. Now recall that trees and forests can also perform transpiration, which is the process of the evaporation and release of water from plant surfaces. And so, in a deforested area with less trees, there's going to be less transpiration, and that means that less water will be released. Now notice here it's saying less is blank is going to be absorbed, and so putting water in here is not going to fit nicely because there's not less water absorbed, it's less water being released through transpiration. So option a is not going to be right, and, of course, this leaves option b as the only option. So less solar radiation is going to be absorbed, causing a hotter environment. And so recall that photosynthesis is going to convert solar energy into chemical energy, and so having less photosynthesis means that less solar energy will be converted into chemical energy, and that means that less solar energy will be absorbed. So in this blank, we can put solar energy or solar radiation. And so, we can indicate that option b here is the correct answer. That concludes this practice, and I'll see you all in our next video.

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48. Ecology

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48. Ecology

Earth's Climate Patterns

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Multiple Choice

Deforestation contributes to climate change because fewer trees mean that _ CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere, and less _______ is absorbed, causing a hotter environment.

Less; H₂O.

Less; solar radiation.

More; solar radiation.

More; greenhouse gas.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of trees in the carbon cycle: Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during the process of photosynthesis, which helps to reduce the overall concentration of CO2, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere.

Recognize the impact of deforestation: When trees are removed, there are fewer trees available to absorb CO2, leading to higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.

Consider the role of solar radiation: Trees also provide shade and help to regulate the temperature by absorbing solar radiation. Without trees, more solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface, contributing to a hotter environment.

Evaluate the options given: The correct answer should reflect the dual role of trees in both removing CO2 and absorbing solar radiation.

Conclude that the correct answer is 'Less; solar radiation' because deforestation results in less CO2 being removed and less solar radiation being absorbed, leading to a hotter environment.