When the forest canopy is removed, the moist soil is exposed to direct sunlight. this causes it to dry out. without the root structures to hold the soil in place, the dried-out dirt is carried away by wind and rain. eventually, what was once a lush forest becomes a barren desert.

which statement best describes the main idea of this passage?
a. people can live in a forest but not in a desert.
b. natural causes are just as harmful to forests as human influence. c. deforestation is the primary cause of global warming.
d. cutting down trees is bad not only for the trees but also for the soil.