To mitigate urban heat island effects, municipal planners in Oakhaven proposed planting deciduous trees along major commercial corridors. Critics argued that winter leaf drops would significantly increase sidewalk maintenance costs for local business owners. However, a comprehensive study of similar mid-sized cities revealed that commercial corridors with dense tree canopies consistently experience an eight percent boost in winter foot traffic, generating retail sales revenues that far exceed seasonal street sweeping expenses. Therefore, implementing the tree-planting initiative will yield a net financial gain for corridor merchants.
Which of the following best describes the function of the claim that commercial corridors with dense tree canopies consistently experience an eight percent boost in winter foot traffic?
- It provides factual evidence offered to support the author's ultimate conclusion that the initiative will be financially advantageous.Answer
- BIt is introductory background information describing the general environmental context of urban heat island mitigation.
- CIt is the main conclusion of the argument that all other claims are intended to establish.
- DIt is an intermediate conclusion deduced directly from the critics' objection about maintenance expenses.
- EIt represents a counterargument raised by opponents to demonstrate the potential drawbacks of the tree-planting proposal.