Social Studies Praxis Practice Test

Which of the following has been a primary cause of soil depletion in deforested rain forest environments?

1. The overuse of harmful pesticides

2. The introduction of cash-crop agriculture

3. Contamination by industrial waste

4. The use of chemical fertilizers

The correct answer is: The introduction of cash-crop agriculture

The introduction of cash-crop agriculture has been a primary cause of soil depletion in deforested rain forest environments primarily because it often leads to intensive farming practices that exhaust the soil's nutrients. When forests are cleared to make way for monoculture cash crops, the natural ecosystem is disrupted, resulting in the loss of diverse plant life that would normally contribute to soil health. These cash crops require specific nutrients and, if they are not rotated with other types of crops or if sustainable practices are not employed, the soil becomes depleted over time. Additionally, the lack of vegetation due to deforestation contributes to erosion, which can further diminish soil quality and lead to significant long-term degradation of the land. In contrast, while harmful pesticides, industrial waste contamination, and chemical fertilizers can negatively impact soil health, their effects on soil depletion in deforested rain forest environments are not as direct or significant as the consequences of introducing cash-crop agriculture. This focus on cash crops tends to highlight the unsustainable nature of agricultural practices in these environments.