Ecological function of wetlands corresponding to water purification
Question
"If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement?
Options
The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Explanation
The human kidneys function primarily to filter toxins and waste out of the bloodstream. Applying this metaphor to an ecosystem, wetlands act as the Earth's kidneys because their unique aquatic plants actively filter and absorb heavy metals, toxins, and excess nutrients from the water passing through them.
Answer: (d).
Question details
Year
2022
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q43
Subject
Environment
Sub-topic
Ecology & Ecosystems
Type
Factual single
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Static
Source hint
Ramsar Ecosystem Services / Wetland Hydro-Biological Bio-Filtration
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