UPSC Prelims 2011·GS1·geography·ecology and environment

The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

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  1. AThe mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out
  2. BThe mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster
  3. CThe mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or tsunami
  4. DThe mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive rootsCorrect

Explanation

The correct answer is D because the physical structure of mangroves is specifically adapted to survive high energy coastal events. Mangroves possess complex and extensive aerial root systems, such as prop roots and pneumatophores, which anchor them firmly into the soft coastal soil. These dense root networks act as a physical barrier that dissipates the energy of tidal waves, storm surges, and tsunamis. By absorbing the force of the water and reducing its velocity, mangroves protect the shoreline from erosion and minimize the impact on inland human settlements. Unlike ordinary trees, their unique root architecture prevents them from being easily uprooted by strong currents or high winds.
geography: The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How

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