Question

The Hubbard Brook watershed deforestation experiment yielded all of the following results except which of the following?

(A) Most minerals were recycled within a forest ecosystem.

(B) Calcium levels remained high in the soil of deforested areas.

(C) Deforestation increased water runoff.

(D) The nitrate concentration in waters draining the deforested area became dangerously high.

Short answer

(A) The statement ‘Most minerals were recycled within a forest ecosystem’ is false.

(B) The statement ‘Calcium levels remained high in the soil of deforested areas’ is true.

(C) The statement ‘Deforestation increased water runoff’ is false.

(D) The statement ‘The nitrate concentration in waters draining the deforested area became dangerously high’ is false.

Step-by-step solution

Deforestation

The term ‘deforestation’ refers to one of the leading causes of environmental issues. It can be defined as the process in which the forest cover of any geographical area is destroyed.

Deforestation occurs either for human settlement or for commercial purposes.

Explanation of option (A)

The experimental deforestation of the Hubbard Brook watershed led to the conclusion that forests play a major role in regulating the mineral concentrations in the associated ecosystem.

Thus, this statement is a valid result of the Hubbard Brook watershed experiment.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option (B)

The soil stores several minerals and ions, and the trees maintain this storage, which prevents excess washing due to precipitation. As a result of deforestation, the soil and the minerals stored in it were exposed to surface runoff, resulting in low levels of calcium within the soil.

Thus, the levels of calcium ions depleted within the soil after deforestation.

Therefore, the given statement is true.

Explanation of option (C)

The roots of trees prevent soil erosion and surface runoff by tightly binding the soil particles. Deforesting the watershed region exposed the soil, and it eventually resulted in increased water runoffs.

Thus, the water runoff increased after deforesting the watershed.

Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option (D)

The most significant effect of deforesting theHubbard Brook watershed region was observed in the concentration of nitrate. It was observed that deforestation led to extremely increased nitrate runoff, which elevated the nitrate concentration in connected water bodies to a dangerous level.

Thus, this statement about the Hubbard Brook watershed experiment is accurate.

Therefore, the given statement is false.