Final answer:
Deforestation is primarily caused by urbanization, ranching, and farming. Ranching, especially for cattle, contributes to habitat reduction, greenhouse gas buildup, soil erosion, and rainfall changes. Large-scale farming also leads to biodiversity loss and changes in ecological patterns. Therefore, the correct option is B. ranching.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reasons for deforestation include urbanization, ranching, and farming, but not conservation. Urbanization leads to the clearing of forests for the development of infrastructure.
Ranching is a significant cause of deforestation, especially in regions like the Amazon, where vast areas are cleared for cattle grazing. This type of deforestation is problematic as it reduces habitats for numerous species, leads to the accumulation of greenhouse gases, causes soil erosion, and impacts rainfall patterns.
In the context of farming, particularly large-scale farming practices like soy farming and slash-and-burn agriculture, forests are cleared to create space for crops. This clearing contributes to drastic declines in biodiversity and alters ecological patterns, such as rainfall frequency. Furthermore, this agricultural expansion is often driven by the need to feed a growing urban population in the Global South, leading to further deforestation.