Final answer:
Planting vegetation significantly decreases erosion by stabilizing the soil through root systems and reducing the impact of rain and wind on soil particles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect of planting vegetation on erosion is that it decreases erosion. Vegetation acts as a stabilizing force for soil. Plants, especially those in forests, provide a critical function; their roots bind the soil, reducing the likelihood of soil being washed away during rain events.
According to researchers like Brauman et al. (2007), the intact canopy of a forest helps to diminish the erosional impact of falling rain by preventing the rainwater from directly hitting the ground. Similarly, Myers (1997) notes that less vegetative cover, such as in logged forests or where roads are constructed, can lead to increased rates of erosion.
Adding to that, the expansion of farming and deforestation has led to a doubling in the sediment discharge into the oceans, reports studies such as those by Pandolfi et al. (2003) and Bruno and Selig (2007), which has detrimental effects on coral reefs. Notably, even small increases in vegetative cover in desert ecosystems can significantly reduce wind erosion, indicating the importance of plant presence in mitigating erosion across various ecosystems.
Therefore, the correct answer is B) Erosion decreases. This response aligns with the available scientific literature and global efforts to protect soils from erosion by encouraging practices such as reforestation, conservation tillage, and better management of agricultural lands to maintain vegetative cover.