Question

The diagrams above show an area that was once a pasture that has since undergone changes to the vegetation over time. Which of the following changes in the hydrologic cycle is most likely to occur as a result of the change in vegetation in the area?
answer choices
A) Increased infiltration
B) Increased runoff
C) Decreased transpiration
D) Decreased precipitation

Answer 1

Answer: The diagrams above show an area that was once a pasture that has since undergone changes to the vegetation over time.

The following changes in the hydrologic cycle is most likely to occur as a result of the change in vegetation in the area:

• Decreased precipitation.

Explanation:

When we lose vegetation in an area we face serious problems, one of them is the decreased precipitation . If changes are made by man, for example, as in deforestation, the consequences are even worse.

Deforestation can cause a serious reduction of rainfall in the tropics, with serious consequences for the population not only in that region but in neighboring areas. The air that passes over large areas of tropical forest produces at least twice as much rain as that which travels over areas of low vegetation .

In turn this also affects the other factors of the cycle. The vegetation contributes moisture through an evapotranspiration process, as it is called the evaporation of the rivers together with the transpiration of the plants. This moisture is transported by the winds.

We can say then that the loss of vegetation in an area (whether on purpose or not) will corrupt several cycle factors, mainly damaging the rainfall rate.