Read the passage and answer the question:

"Peat swamp forests in Southeast Asia store vast quantities of terrestrial carbon. When these biomes are drained for commercial monoculture, aerobic decomposition of dried peat releases massive volumes of greenhouse gases and creates subterranean fire hazards that can smolder for months."

According to the passage, what is the primary consequence of draining peat swamps?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. aerobic decomposition leading to greenhouse gas emissions and fires

  1. Step 1: Trace the cause-and-effect relationship articulated in the text: draining peat swamps triggers aerobic decomposition.
  2. Step 2: This decomposition releases massive greenhouse gas volumes and causes subterranean fire hazards that smolder for months.
Answer
aerobic decomposition leading to greenhouse gas emissions and fires.
Why not the others: 'rapid cooling of localized atmospheric temperatures' contradicts the release of greenhouse gases and fire hazards; 'immediate proliferation of diverse endemic plant species' contradicts ecosystem degradation caused by drainage; 'complete cessation of all subterranean microbial activity' is incorrect as aerobic decomposition actually accelerates microbial breakdown.

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