Explanation
A. (Correct Response) The passage starts by highlighting the importance of forests economically and ecologically, stating that policy decisions concerning forests must be well-grounded and comprehensive. It then scrutinizes two common claims about forests—their oxygen-renewing capacity and their role in preserving biodiversity—suggesting a need for careful consideration before making decisions.
B. The passage does not compare the dangers to biodiversity by deforestation to the dangers of stricter regulation; it simply examines the claims made about biodiversity.
C. The passage does discuss the rate of deforestation but does not present this as the main point; rather, it's a supporting detail to suggest that official statistics need to be reviewed carefully.
D. The passage does mention noninstrumental good as a reason for preserving forests, but this is not the primary focus of the entire passage, rather a point made in consideration of biodiversity.
E. The passage does not make a judgment about the effectiveness of stricter regulation on commercial plantations; it merely presents different viewpoints on the issue.