With reference to the environmental impact in the Amazon Basin, consider the following statements: 1. The topsoil is washed away as rains fall on deforested land. 2. The lush forest remains unaffected by developmental activities. 3. The destruction of forests has no impact on the river's ecosystem. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (a) 1 only. Explanation The Amazon Basin supports the world's largest tropical rainforest. The ecosystem relies on a delicate balance between the dense vegetation cover and the soil. In tropical rainforests, the nutrient cycle is rapid, and the majority of nutrients are stored in the biomass rather than the soil. The forest canopy plays a critical role in protecting the soil from the direct impact of heavy tropical rains. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: In the Amazon Basin, the topsoil is held in place by the intricate root systems of the dense vegetation. When deforestation occurs for agriculture or settlement, this protective cover is removed. Consequently, the heavy rainfall characteristic of the equatorial region strikes the bare ground directly, causing severe soil erosion. The topsoil is washed away, often rendering the land barren and unsuitable for long-term cultivation. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Amazon rainforest has been significantly affected by developmental activities. Projects such as the construction of the Trans-Amazon highway, mining, logging, and the expansion of agricultural settlements have led to substantial deforestation and fragmentation of the lush forest, altering its biological integrity. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The destruction of forests has a profound impact on the river's ecosystem. Deforestation leads to increased surface runoff and soil erosion, which causes siltation in the rivers. This increased sediment load affects water quality, disrupts aquatic habitats, and alters the hydrological cycle of the basin. Key Takeaway Deforestation in tropical rainforests leads to the rapid loss of topsoil due to heavy rainfall and the absence of root structures to bind the soil, resulting in permanent ecological degradation and barren landscapes.

With reference to the environmental… - NCERT Class 7 Geography MCQ

NCERT Class 7 Geography — Chapter 1: The Tropical and the Subtropical Region

mcqeasy

With reference to the environmental impact in the Amazon Basin, consider the following statements:

The topsoil is washed away as rains fall on deforested land.
The lush forest remains unaffected by developmental activities.
The destruction of forests has no impact on the river's ecosystem.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT The Earth Our Habitat · Page 4

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (a) 1 only.

Explanation

The Amazon Basin supports the world's largest tropical rainforest. The ecosystem relies on a delicate balance between the dense vegetation cover and the soil. In tropical rainforests, the nutrient cycle is rapid, and the majority of nutrients are stored in the biomass rather than the soil. The forest canopy plays a critical role in protecting the soil from the direct impact of heavy tropical rains.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In the Amazon Basin, the topsoil is held in place by the intricate root systems of the dense vegetation. When deforestation occurs for agriculture or settlement, this protective cover is removed. Consequently, the heavy rainfall characteristic of the equatorial region strikes the bare ground directly, causing severe soil erosion. The topsoil is washed away, often rendering the land barren and unsuitable for long-term cultivation.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Amazon rainforest has been significantly affected by developmental activities. Projects such as the construction of the Trans-Amazon highway, mining, logging, and the expansion of agricultural settlements have led to substantial deforestation and fragmentation of the lush forest, altering its biological integrity.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The destruction of forests has a profound impact on the river's ecosystem. Deforestation leads to increased surface runoff and soil erosion, which causes siltation in the rivers. This increased sediment load affects water quality, disrupts aquatic habitats, and alters the hydrological cycle of the basin.

Key Takeaway

Deforestation in tropical rainforests leads to the rapid loss of topsoil due to heavy rainfall and the absence of root structures to bind the soil, resulting in permanent ecological degradation and barren landscapes.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: The Tropical and the Subtropical Region

Which one of the following river basins covers the largest drainage area globally?

easy

With reference to the Amazon rainforest, consider the following statements: 1. Toucans are birds with oversized bills. 2. Hummingbirds are not found in the Amazon rainforest. 3. These birds make very little sound in the forests. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following trees is NOT typically found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra plain?

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Which of the following insects forms a part of the traditional diet of the indigenous people of the Amazon Basin?

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Consider the following statements regarding the vegetation cover in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin: 1. Tropical deciduous trees like teak, sal, and peepal grow in the Ganga and Brahmaputra plains. 2. Bamboo groves are completely absent in the Brahmaputra plain. 3. Mangrove forests are the characteristic vegetation of the delta area. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

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