Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer. style="text-

Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer. style="text-align: justify;"> Recent research reveals that the degradation of agricultural soils, forests, woodlands, coastal fisheries, and wildlife resources is more and more serious. The majority of the estimated costs of environmental degradation comes from forests and natural resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. More than 50% of the original forest has been converted to agricultural land by slash-and-burn. Despite land expansion, productivity has declined because of soil erosion. Fish, timber, and non-timber forest product stocks are decreasing. As a result, coastal towns have begun to experience severe water shortages. Hydropower is dropping. Wildlife populations and  iodiversity are in serious decline and many species face extinction. Poor forest management and soil degradation result in huge economic losses. The degradation of water increases the costs and reduces the quality of both water and power. The prospects for economic development and poverty reduction are dependent on natural resources. Rural households rely on natural resources for their livelihoods, fisheries, and wildlife which provide protein in diets. Urban economic activities depend on reliable hydroelectric power. However, people do not have much awareness of protecting the environment on which their life depends. style="text-align: justify;">Question 36. The passage is about _____.