Which of the following best explains why clear-cutting forests is more destructive than selectively cutting down trees in forests?
a. clear-cutting eliminates all trees leaving none behind to maintain soil fertility or house native animals.
b. clear-cutting places the land at greater risk for wildfires.
c. clear-cutting makes land more attractive for human development.
d. clear-cutting causes less soil erosion than selective cutting.

The answer is a. cutting trees reduce fertility and eliminates animal habitats. Plant material is essential in maintaing soil fertility. Leaves and branches decay to form humus; removing trees decreases the organic content. Trees are home to many animal species, including birds, insects and amphibians. Some trees are even support or home to other plants. Examples include epiphytes in the rainforest ecosystem. Clear cutting forests disrupts whole communities and ecosystems.