Which of the following activities refers to the removal of trees from a forested area and can have a significant effect on the quantity and quality of rainwater?

The correct answer is deforestation. 

Deforestation refers to the deliberate removal of trees from a forested area, typically for the purpose of harvesting timber or making room for agricultural, urban, or industrial development. Deforestation can have significant impacts on the environment, including the quantity and quality of rainwater.

Forests play a critical role in the natural water cycle by absorbing, storing, and releasing rainwater back into the atmosphere and the ground. Trees act as natural sponges, absorbing and storing rainwater in their leaves, branches, and roots. As rainwater is absorbed by the soil beneath the trees, it is filtered and purified, replenishing underground aquifers and providing a source of clean freshwater for human and animal use.

When forests are cleared, however, the natural water cycle is disrupted. Without trees to absorb and store rainwater, more water runs off the surface of the land, causing soil erosion and reducing the amount of water that is filtered and purified by the soil. This can lead to water shortages, increased flooding, and decreased water quality.