A large area of forest was cleared by burning. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
I. Rise in soil erosion as soil is directly exposed to wind and rain.
II. The land will have more fresh air as there are lesser trees to take in oxygen.
III. Wildlife will easily thrive in the cleared area because more space is available now.
IV. New trees will grow faster and replace the burnt forest soon as the ash of the burnt trees will make the soil more fertile.

Options

A. I only
B. I and IV
C. I, II and IV
D. II, III and IV

Explanation

To determine which statements are incorrect regarding the clearing of a large area of forest by burning, let's analyze each statement step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Statement I: Rise in soil erosion as soil is directly exposed to wind and rain.**
- When forests are cleared, the roots of trees that hold the soil in place are removed. This leads to increased soil erosion because the soil is now exposed to wind and rain, which can wash it away.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **correct**.

2. **Statement II: The land will have more fresh air as there are lesser trees to take in oxygen.**
- Trees play a crucial role in producing oxygen through photosynthesis. With fewer trees, there will be less oxygen produced, not more. Therefore, the air quality would actually deteriorate due to the lack of trees.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **incorrect**.

3. **Statement III: Wildlife will easily thrive in the cleared area because more space is available now.**
- While it may seem that more space is available, wildlife relies on plants for food and habitat. The removal of trees means that many animals will lose their homes and food sources, leading to a decline in wildlife.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **incorrect**.

4. **Statement IV: New trees will grow faster and replace the burnt forest soon as the ash of the burnt trees will make the soil more fertile.**
- Although ash can contribute some nutrients to the soil, burning also destroys organic matter and can lead to soil degradation. New trees may not grow back quickly or at all if the conditions are not suitable. The assumption that ash will make the soil more fertile is misleading.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **incorrect**.

### Summary of Findings:
- **Incorrect Statements**: II, III, and IV.
- **Correct Statement**: I.

### Final Answer:
The incorrect statements are II, III, and IV.