Question

Which of the following changes to the local hydrologic cycle will result if large areas of land experienced clear-cutting?
answer choices
Transpiration of water from vegetation will increase.

Evaporation of water from the soil will increase.

Runoff from watersheds will decrease.

Siltation of local streams will decrease.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is "Evaporation of water from the soil will increase".

Explanation:

Evaporation is the step of the hydrologic cycle at which deposits of liquid water got into the atmosphere by transforming into a water vapor. The level of evaporation is closely related with the surface area of foliage, where the more surface area of foliage the less evaporation will occur. Therefore, if large areas of land experience clear-cutting, evaporation of water from the soil will increase.

Answer 2

Answer:

Evaporation of water would increase

Explanation:

This is because clear cutting would increase pore space in the soil which would increase ease of evaporation of water, and removal of plant canopy over earth thereby decreases shading of soil and increasing evaporation.