Final answer:
The removal of trees through deforestation in a tropical rainforest leads to a decrease in water levels and oxygen production, and an increase in carbon dioxide levels. The correct answer to the question is option c) Decrease, Increase, Decrease.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a ten-mile area of trees is removed from a tropical rainforest, it will have a significant impact on the local ecosystem, specifically on the amount of water and the amount of oxygen in the area. This process is known as deforestation.
The removal of trees from a rainforest disrupts the water cycle, as trees play a critical role in absorbing rainfall and releasing water vapor into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. With deforestation, there is a loss of transpiration, leading to a decrease in atmospheric moisture, which can reduce rainfall and lead to drier conditions.
Additionally, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis, meaning that the removal of trees would lead to a decrease in the production of oxygen. Consequently, there will be an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels due to decreased carbon sequestration. The correct option answer to the question is c) Decrease, Increase, Decrease, representing a decrease in water and oxygen levels and an increase in carbon dioxide levels.