English as a Second Language – Reading | e-Consult

Answer:

1. Habitat Loss: The text states that deforestation leads to "habitat loss for countless species." This is a factual idea because it refers to the actual consequence of removing trees – the destruction of places where animals and plants live.

2. Disruption of Water Cycle: The text mentions that deforestation "disrupts the region’s delicate water cycle." This is factual because the trees play a crucial role in the water cycle through transpiration and rainwater absorption. Removing them alters this process.

3. Contribution to Carbon Emissions: The text states that deforestation "contributes substantially to global carbon emissions." This is factual because trees store carbon dioxide, and when they are cut down and burned or decompose, this stored carbon is released into the atmosphere.