The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Forests function as critical regulators of the local and global environment, influencing microclimates, acoustic levels, and atmospheric composition through specific biological and physical processes.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Forests act as natural sound barriers rather than amplifiers. The vegetation (leaves, branches, and trunks) and the soft forest floor absorb, deflect, and refract sound waves, effectively reducing noise pollution from nearby sources such as highways. This process is known as sound attenuation.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The air within a forest is generally cooler than in surrounding urban or open areas. This is primarily due to the canopy effect, which blocks direct solar radiation from reaching the ground, and evapotranspiration, a process where plants release water vapor that cools the surrounding air.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Forests play a fundamental role in the global carbon cycle and atmospheric regulation. Through photosynthesis, trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) from the atmosphere and release oxygen ($O_2$), thereby maintaining the gaseous balance essential for aerobic life.
Key Takeaway: Forests provide vital ecosystem services, including noise attenuation (acting as sound buffers), microclimate regulation (lowering ambient temperatures), and atmospheric gas balance (carbon sequestration and oxygen production).