The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Vegetation cover, particularly forests, plays a critical role in soil conservation by stabilizing soil structure, maintaining fertility through nutrient cycling, and preventing physical degradation such as erosion.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The presence of trees prevents soil erosion rather than accelerating it. Tree roots bind soil particles together, increasing the soil's resistance to erosive forces like wind and water. Additionally, the forest canopy intercepts rainfall, reducing the kinetic energy of raindrops before they hit the ground, thereby minimizing splash erosion and surface runoff.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Humus is the dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays. It is primarily concentrated in the topsoil (A-horizon). When the top layer of soil is removed due to erosion (often caused by deforestation), the humus content significantly decreases, leading to a loss of soil fertility and water-holding capacity.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Deforestation disrupts the natural nutrient cycle. In a forest ecosystem, trees absorb nutrients from the soil and return them via leaf litter decomposition. When trees are removed, this recycling stops. Furthermore, without tree cover, the soil is exposed to heavy rainfall, leading to leaching, where water-soluble nutrients are washed away from the soil, resulting in a decrease in overall nutrient content.
Key Takeaway: Forests act as a protective cover for soil; their removal accelerates soil erosion, depletes humus found in the topsoil, and leads to nutrient loss through leaching and the disruption of organic cycles.