Question 27 (2 points) Which of the following industries is most responsible for deforestation in the world? housing construction farming the lumber mills and wood pulp manufacturing hydroelectric plants Question 28 (1 point) The planting of strips of trees and shrubs along the edges of plowed fields is used to form drainage regions store water during droughts limit the spread of crop pests Question 29 (2 points) The greatest cause of topsoil loss around the world is rising ocean levels the creation of new mines the construction of new buildings and roads topsoil erosion

Let's analyze each question step by step: ### Question 27 **Which of the following industries is most responsible for deforestation in the world?** - **Housing construction**: While it contributes to deforestation, it is not the primary cause. - **Farming**: This is a significant driver of deforestation, especially for crops like soy and palm oil. - **The lumber mills and wood pulp manufacturing**: This industry directly contributes to deforestation through logging. - **Hydroelectric plants**: These can lead to deforestation, but they are not the primary cause. **Conclusion**: The most responsible industry for deforestation is **farming**, as it often requires clearing large areas of forest for agricultural land. ### Question 28 **The planting of strips of trees and shrubs along the edges of plowed fields is used to:** - **Form drainage regions**: This is not the primary purpose of planting trees and shrubs. - **Store water during droughts**: While trees can help retain moisture, this is not the main reason for planting them. - **Limit the spread of crop pests**: This is a key benefit, as these strips can act as barriers to pests and provide habitats for beneficial insects. **Conclusion**: The planting of strips of trees and shrubs is primarily used to **limit the spread of crop pests**. ### Question 29 **The greatest cause of topsoil loss around the world is:** - **Rising ocean levels**: This is a concern but not a direct cause of topsoil loss. - **The creation of new mines**: This can contribute to soil degradation but is not the greatest cause. - **The construction of new buildings and roads**: This can lead to soil loss but is not the primary factor. - **Topsoil erosion**: This is the process that leads to the loss of topsoil, often exacerbated by human activities. **Conclusion**: The greatest cause of topsoil loss around the world is **topsoil erosion**. ### Summary of Answers - **Question 27**: Farming - **Question 28**: Limit the spread of crop pests - **Question 29**: Topsoil erosion