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Tropical coral reefs are very productive ecosystems. Which of the following are benefits accrued from coral reefs?
1. They sustain about a quarter of the ocean’s fish population.
2. Coral reefs break the power of the waves during storms, cyclones and tsunamis.
3. Coral reefs can provide potent anti-HIV proteins.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 3 only
  • c)
    1 only
  • d)
    All of the above
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Tropical coral reefs are very productive ecosystems. Which of the fol...
< b="" />Benefits of Tropical Coral Reefs< />

Tropical coral reefs are incredibly diverse and productive ecosystems that provide numerous benefits to both marine life and humans. Some of the key benefits accrued from coral reefs include:

< b="" />1. Sustaining Fish Populations< />
Coral reefs are often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea" due to their high biodiversity. They provide a habitat for a wide range of marine species, including fish. In fact, it is estimated that coral reefs sustain about a quarter of the ocean's fish population. These reefs offer shelter, food, and breeding grounds for many commercially important fish species. As a result, coral reefs are essential for the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on fishing as a source of income and food.

< b="" />2. Wave Breakers< />
Coral reefs play a crucial role in protecting coastal areas from the power of waves during storms, cyclones, and tsunamis. The complex structures of the reefs act as natural barriers, reducing the energy and force of incoming waves. This helps to prevent erosion, protect shorelines, and maintain the stability of coastal ecosystems. In areas where coral reefs have been degraded or destroyed, the impact of storms and waves can be much more severe, leading to increased damage and loss of life.

< b="" />3. Medicinal Potential< />
Coral reefs have also been found to possess potential medicinal properties. They are known to produce a wide range of chemical compounds, some of which show promise in the development of new drugs. For example, scientists have discovered that certain coral reef species produce potent anti-HIV proteins. These proteins have the potential to be used in the treatment or prevention of HIV/AIDS. Further research and exploration of coral reef organisms could reveal more valuable medicinal compounds that could benefit human health.

< b="" />Conclusion< />
In conclusion, tropical coral reefs provide a multitude of benefits, including sustaining fish populations, acting as wave breakers, and offering potential medicinal resources. These ecosystems are not only important for the health and balance of marine life but also for the well-being of coastal communities and the broader society. It is crucial to protect and conserve these fragile ecosystems to continue enjoying the benefits they provide.
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Tropical coral reefs are very productive ecosystems. Which of the fol...
  • Coral reefs are vital to the world’s fisheries. They film the nurseries for about a quarter of the ocean’s fish and thus provide revenue for local communities as well as national and international fishing fleets.
  • Coral reefs break the power of the waves during storms, hurricanes, typhoons, and even tsunamis. By helping to prevent coastal erosion, flooding, and loss of property on the shore, the reefs save billions of dollars each year in terms of reduced insurance and reconstruction costs and reduced need to build costly coastal defences.
  • A new class of proteins capable of blocking HIV from penetrating T-cells has been discovered. The proteins have been found in a coral from Australia’s northern coast. Coral reefs are also being used in the treatment of cancer.
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Passage-1 ‘Desertification’ is a term used to explain a process of decline in the biological productivity of an ecosystem, leading to total loss of productivity. While this phenomenon is often linked to the arid, semi-arid and sub-humid ecosystems, even in the humid tropics, the impact could be most dramatic. Impoverishment of human-impacted terrestrial ecosystems may exhibit itself in a variety of ways : accelerated erosion as in the mountain regions of the country, salinization of land as in the semi-arid and arid ‘green revolution’ areas of the country, e.g., Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, and site quality decline—a common phenomenon due to general decline in tree cover and monotonous monoculture of rice/wheat across the Indian plains. A major consequence of deforestation is that it relates to adverse alterations in the hydrology and related soil and nutrient losses. The consequences of deforestation invariably arise out of site degradation through erosive losses. Tropical Asia, Africa and South America have the highest levels of erosion. The already high rates for the tropics are increasing at an alarming rate (e.g., through the major river systems— Ganga and Brahmaputra, in thecontext), due to deforestation and land management practices subsequent to forest clearing. In the mountain context, the declining moisture retention of the mountain soils, drying up of the ‘underground springs and smaller rivers in the Himalayan could be attributed to drastic changes the forest cover. An indirect consequence is drastic alteration in the uplandlowland interaction, mediated through water. The current concern the tea planter of Assam has is about the damage to tea plantations due to frequent inundation along the flood-plains of Brahmaputra, and the damage to tea plantation and the consequent loss in tea productivity is due to rising level of the river bottom because of siltation and the changing course of the river system. The ultimate consequences of site desertification are soil degradation, alteration in available water’ and its quality, and the consequent decline in food, fodder and fuelwood yields essential for the economic wellbeing of rural communities.=> Which of the following is/are the nor inference/ inferences that can be made from the passage?1. Deforestation can cause changes in the course of rivers.2. Salinization of land takes place to human activities only.3. Intense monoculture practice in plains is a major reason for desertification in Tropical Asia, Africa and South America.Q.Select the correct answer using the cc given below.

The Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to damage, both due to geological reasons and on account of the stress caused by increased pressure of population, exploitation of natural resources and other related challenges. These aspects may be exacerbated due to the impact of climate change. It is possible that climate change may adversely impact the Himalayan ecosystem through increased temperature altered precipitation patterns, episodes of drought and biotic influences.This would not only impact the very sustenance of the indigenous communities in uplands but also the life of downstream dwellers across the country and beyond.Therefore, there is an urgent need for giving special attention to sustain the Himalayan ecosystem. This would require conscious efforts for conserving all the representative systems.Further, it needs to be emphasized that the endemics with restricted distribution, and most often with specialized habitat requirements, are among the most vulnerable elements. In this respect the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, with rich endemic diversity, is vulnerable to climate change.The Threats include possible loss of genetic resources and species, habitats and concomitantly a decrease in ecosystem services. Therefore, conservation of endemic elements in representative ecosystems/habitats assumes a great significance while drawing conservation plans for the region.Towards achieving the above, we will have to shift towards contemporary conservation approaches, which include a paradigm of landscape level interconnectivity between protected area systems. The concept advocates a shift from the species-habitat focus to an inclusive focus on expanding the biogeographic range so that natural adjustments to climate change can proceed without being restrictive.Q.With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made: 1. To maintain natural ecosystems, exploitation of natural resources should be completely avoided.2. Not only anthropogenic but also natural reasons can adversely affect ecosystems.3. Loss of endemic diversity leads to the extinction of ecosystems.Which of the above assumptions is/are correct?

Ecosystems provide people with a variety of goods and services; food, clean water, clean air, flood control, soil stabilization, pollination, climate regulation, spiritual fulfilment and aesthetic enjoyment, to name just a few. Most of these benefits either are irreplaceable or the technology necessary to replace them is prohibitively expensive. For example, potable fresh water can be provided by desalinating sea-water, but only at great cost. The rapidly expanding human population has greatly modified the Earths ecosystems to meet their increased requirements of some of the goods and services, particularly food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel. These modifications have contributed substantially to human well being and economic development. The benefits have notbeen equally distributed. Some people have actually been harmed by these changes. Moreover, short-term increases in some ecosystem goods and services have come at the cost of the long-term degradation of others. For example, efforts to increase the production of food and fibre have decreased the ability of some ecosystems to provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity.Q. The passage mentions that some people have actually been harmed by these changes. What does it imply?1. The rapid expansion of population has adversely affected some people. 2. Sufficient efforts have not been made to increase the production of food and fibre.3. In the short term some people may be harmed, but in the long term everyone will benefit from modifications In the Earths ecosystems.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Directions for the following 6 (six) items:Read each of the following two passages and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.Passage-1Ecosystems provide people with a variety of goods and services; food, clean water, clean air, flood control, soil stabilization, pollination, climate regulation, spiritual fulfilment and aesthetic enjoyment, to name just a few. Most of these benefits either are irreplaceable or the technology necessary to replace them is prohibitively expensive. For example, potable fresh water can be provided by desalinating sea-water, but only at great cost. The rapidly expanding human population has greatly modified the Earths ecosystems to meet their increased requirements of some of the goods and services, particularly food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel. These modifications have contributed substantially to human well being and economic development. The benefits have notbeen equally distributed. Some people have actually been harmed by these changes. Moreover, short-term increases in some ecosystem goods and services have come at the cost of the long-term degradation of others. For example, efforts to increase the production of food and fibre have decreased the ability of some ecosystems to provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity.Q. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements. Expanding humans population has an adverse effect on:1. Spiritual fulfilment 2. Aesthetic enjoyment 3. Potable fresh water 4. Production of food and fibre 5. BiodiversityWhich of the statements given above are correct ?

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Tropical coral reefs are very productive ecosystems. Which of the following are benefits accrued from coral reefs? 1. They sustain about a quarter of the ocean’s fish population.2. Coral reefs break the power of the waves during storms, cyclones and tsunamis.3. Coral reefs can provide potent anti-HIV proteins.Select the correct answer using the codes below: a) 1 and 2 onlyb) 2 and 3 onlyc) 1 onlyd) All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Tropical coral reefs are very productive ecosystems. Which of the following are benefits accrued from coral reefs? 1. They sustain about a quarter of the ocean’s fish population.2. Coral reefs break the power of the waves during storms, cyclones and tsunamis.3. Coral reefs can provide potent anti-HIV proteins.Select the correct answer using the codes below: a) 1 and 2 onlyb) 2 and 3 onlyc) 1 onlyd) All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Tropical coral reefs are very productive ecosystems. Which of the following are benefits accrued from coral reefs? 1. They sustain about a quarter of the ocean’s fish population.2. Coral reefs break the power of the waves during storms, cyclones and tsunamis.3. Coral reefs can provide potent anti-HIV proteins.Select the correct answer using the codes below: a) 1 and 2 onlyb) 2 and 3 onlyc) 1 onlyd) All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Tropical coral reefs are very productive ecosystems. Which of the following are benefits accrued from coral reefs? 1. They sustain about a quarter of the ocean’s fish population.2. Coral reefs break the power of the waves during storms, cyclones and tsunamis.3. Coral reefs can provide potent anti-HIV proteins.Select the correct answer using the codes below: a) 1 and 2 onlyb) 2 and 3 onlyc) 1 onlyd) All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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