MTTC 103 Elementary Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide for Comprehensive Exam Success

Clear-cut logging involves the complete removal of trees from a particular area, which significantly alters the landscape and the ecosystem. One of the most direct environmental consequences of this practice is soil erosion and sedimentation in streams. When trees are removed, the protective canopy that helps to anchor soil in place is lost. Without this vegetation, rain can directly impact the soil, leading to increased erosion.

As soil erodes, it can wash into nearby streams and waterways, causing sedimentation. This sediment can disrupt aquatic habitats, reduce water quality, and harm fish and other wildlife that depend on clean, clear water. Additionally, sedimentation can lead to problems such as impaired drinking water sources and increased likelihood of flooding, as stream channels can fill with excess sediment, reducing their capacity to hold water.

In summary, clear-cut logging disrupts the natural balance of ecosystems, leading to significant environmental consequences like soil erosion and increased sedimentation, which in turn affect local wildlife and aquatic systems.