Final answer:
Hydroponics is most likely to be beneficial in a desert area with limited rainfall because it conserves water and does not depend on soil, making it a sustainable choice in environments where natural water is sparse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hydroponics would be most useful for sustainable farming in a desert area with limited rainfall. This is because hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in an aqueous solvent. By using hydroponics, farmers can conserve water and nutrients by recycling the water in the system, which is particularly valuable in environments where water is scarce. Given that deserts receive very little rainfall, hydroponics allows for the production of crops without relying heavily on natural precipitation, making it a sustainable farming practice in these challenging conditions. Moreover, hydroponic systems can be set up indoors or outdoors with protective coverings, which can shield the plants from too direct sunlight, another factor that is commonly present in desert areas.
On the other hand, in mountainous areas facing erosion, tropical areas facing deforestation, and temperate areas with too much direct sunlight, while hydroponics could be beneficial, they may not be the most practical or immediate solution to the environmental issues being faced. In mountainous regions, erosion control methods may take precedence, while efforts to stop deforestation would be crucial in tropical areas. In temperate zones, other forms of coverage or shade for soil-based agriculture might be implemented to protect crops from too much sun.