Question

Mining leads to a reduction in _______ because it destroys _______ by uprooting forests and demolishing mountainsides.

1) biodiversity, ecosystems
2) pollution, habitats
3) deforestation, landscapes
4) climate change, natural resources

Answer 1

Mining reduces biodiversity by destroying ecosystems, including uprooting forests and demolishing mountainsides, leading to environmental issues like deforestation, pollution, soil erosion, and alterations in rainfall and climate.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mining leads to a reduction in biodiversity because it destroys ecosystems by uprooting forests and demolishing mountainsides. The correct answer to the question is option 1) biodiversity, ecosystems. This environmental degradation comes as a result of large portions of earth being uprooted to extract resources, not only removing habitats for numerous species but also contributing to a plethora of ecological problems including pollution, soil erosion, changes in rainfall patterns, and an increase in greenhouse gases. Deforestation is often a byproduct of these activities, as well as of the agricultural clearing and overgrazing, which leaves soil exposed to further degradation. Specifically, mining practices such as mountaintop mining (MTM) and strip coal mining have a severe impact on entire landscapes and ecosystems.