A geographer argues that recent flooding in a river basin has been worsened primarily by upstream deforestation, which reduces the land's capacity to absorb rainfall, rather than by changes in rainfall patterns.
Which finding, if true, would most strongly support the geographer's argument?
- Acheck_circle
Total annual rainfall in the basin has remained stable, but flood severity has increased in step with upstream forest loss.
- B
The river basin contains both forested and agricultural land.
- C
Some downstream communities have built levees in recent decades.
- D
Heavy rains can produce flooding in basins with intact forests as well.
Explanation
A holds rainfall constant, isolates deforestation as the variable that tracks flood severity, supporting the argument. B, C, and D are background or tangential.