Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Mangrove areas in India are plant communities found in mangrove saline areas. They are found in tropical and sub-tropical intertidal regions of the world, where rainfall is 1000-3000 mm and temperature is 26-35°C. Adaptations are found in these to grow in high salinity. Among these adaptations, vivipary and presence of pneumatophores are prominent. Hence, statement I is correct.

According to the India State Forest Report (ISFR) -2013 , the mangrove area in India is 4,628 sq km which is about 3% of the total mangrove vegetation of the world. Almost half of the total mangrove area found in India is located only in the Sunderbans of West Bengal. Hence, statement II is incorrect.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Biomass, available in abundance throughout the world, is a renewable source of energy. This is a good example of recycling of resources. Biomass includes all plant matter (raw or preserved) and vegetation (wild or cultivated). It is, infact, stored solar energy that can be converted into electricity, fuel and heat. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Coral that inhabits the cool, deep waters of continental shelves and offshore canyons. Zooxanthellae are generally lacking at depths greater than 50 to 1000 m and may form rock-like structures or grow into solids. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Cold-water corals differ from warm-water corals because they do not have symbiotic algae for photosynthesis and grow more slowly. Cold water corals get all their energy from organic matter and zooplankton, which they collect from currents that flow past them. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Laterite formation, which is a passive factor in soil formation, varies greatly because it is strongly influenced by climate and parent material factors. Soil formation takes much longer time under tropical conditions. Latosol soil is formed as a result of laterite formation. In tropical areas, under high temperatures and heavy rainfall, silicate salts are very unstable and silica is lost. The aluminum and iron sesquioxides of the parent minerals are resistant to decomposition and are released in situ as ionic aluminum and iron during the breakdown of alumino - silicates. This process is called laterization and it leaves primary laterite as a waste containing some iron and aluminum sesquioxides and some resistant parent minerals. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The leached layer is slightly acidic, less nutritious and alkali-free. The tropical red forest soil developed by this process is called latosol. This soil is the opposite of podsol and is not useful for agriculture. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

Wetlands (crucial parts of the hydrological cycle) are highly productive ecosystems that support rich biodiversity and provide ecosystem services such as water storage, water purification, flood mitigation, erosion control, aquifer recharge, microclimate regulation, aesthetic enhancement of the landscape, etc. Offer a wide range. As well as being part of our rich cultural heritage, they support many important recreational, social and cultural activities.