If wetlands are drained, what environmental issue arises?

When wetlands are drained, one significant environmental issue that arises is flooding. Wetlands play a critical role in the ecosystem by absorbing excess rainfall and runoff, acting as natural sponges. They help to regulate water flow and can mitigate the impacts of heavy storms by absorbing water and releasing it slowly over time. When these areas are drained, their capacity to hold water is significantly reduced, leading to increased runoff and a higher likelihood of flooding in surrounding areas. This flooding can result in property damage, soil erosion, and loss of habitat for various species.

The other options, while they may evoke social or environmental concerns, do not directly relate to the consequences of wetland drainage in the same way that flooding does. For instance, while deforestation involves the removal of trees and can impact ecosystems, it is not the direct result of wetland drainage. Despair and injustice are more abstract human emotions or social issues rather than direct environmental consequences.