Which risk increases when deforestation occurs within an alluvial floodplain upslope sediment source?

💡 Explanation

When deforestation occurs, soil erosion increases substantially because the tree roots no longer bind the soil, leading to increased sediment yield into the alluvial floodplain, and less water absorbance on the deforested slope. Therefore downstream areas experience increased flash flood likelihood, rather than decreased recharge, straightened channels, or nutrient retention. The high erosion rates cause riverbed load increase and make the flooding events stronger and more likely.

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