What adverse effect does excessive deforestation have on the local water cycle of a region?

Correct answer: Reduced transpiration can reduce rainfall

The correct answer is B, reduced transpiration can reduce local rainfall. Trees take up water through their roots and release much of it to the atmosphere as water vapour through transpiration. This moisture can contribute to local humidity, cloud formation, and precipitation, although rainfall also depends on wider atmospheric conditions. Excessive deforestation removes this vegetation pathway and often reduces interception and soil protection. The result may be less atmospheric moisture locally, more rapid surface runoff, greater erosion, and reduced groundwater recharge in some settings. A is incorrect because deforestation commonly increases runoff and may reduce recharge rather than greatly raising the water table. C is incorrect because removing vegetation usually increases, not eliminates, runoff. D is incorrect because any humidity change is not permanent and the local moisture contribution from trees generally decreases. Memory cue: fewer trees means less transpiration moisture.