Which of the following statements best describes how railroad expansion affected the environment during the late 1800s?

Western forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges.

Wild bison were allowed to roam near railroad tracks.

Wild bison were domesticated to make room for railroads.

Eastern forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges.

The correct answer is A. Western forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges

Explanation:

Railroad expansion in the U. S during the 19th century was a historical process that led to the massive constructions of railroads that connected different areas in the country especially in the west, this expansion began in 1827 as a system of railroads began to be built to cross the Appalachian Mountains located in the eastern North and in western areas in which transportation was an issue. Additionally, this process of massive constructed aimed mainly at connecting different regions of the country and facilitating trading and transportation of people and goods which was also linked to the creation of the first steam locomotive and other technological improvements. However, this construction also had negative effects for the environment as areas such as the Western forest that had not been negatively affected by the human activities were then affected; also the construction of railroads itself meant resources were taken from nature and forest were cut down, especially on the West to construct the railroads. Thus, the statement that best describes how railroad expansion affected the environment during the late 1800s is A. "Western forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges" as the railroads were mainly built in this area and therefore, it was the area in which more area of forest was cut down and this had a negative impact on the animals and plants that lived there.

The answer is: Western forests were cut down to build railroads and bridges.

Cutting down forests means affecting the environment. There are two options that include this statement. However, it happened in the west. So the first option is correct.