UPSC Exam > UPSC Questions > What is the primary function of seagrass beds...
Start Learning for Free
What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?
- a)To provide shelter for marine invertebrates
- b)To filter heavy metals from the water
- c)To reduce wave and current energy
- d)To serve as a source of sediment
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To p...
Seagrass beds in coastal waters primarily function to reduce wave and current energy. They act as natural buffers, helping to dissipate the energy of waves and currents, which in turn protects shorelines from erosion. Additionally, they provide important habitat for marine invertebrates and fishes.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To p...
The primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters is to reduce wave and current energy. Seagrass beds are underwater meadows composed of grass-like plants that grow in shallow coastal waters. They play a crucial role in the health and stability of coastal ecosystems due to their unique characteristics and functions.
Wave and Current Energy Reduction
Seagrass beds act as natural buffers against wave and current energy. The dense root systems and above-ground biomass of seagrass plants dissipate the force of waves and currents, which helps to protect the coastlines from erosion. The flexibility and resistance of seagrass blades also contribute to reducing the impact of waves and currents. As a result, seagrass beds can stabilize coastlines and provide a natural defense against coastal erosion and storm damage.
Habitat and Shelter
Seagrass beds provide essential habitat and shelter for a wide variety of marine organisms. The dense and complex structure of seagrass meadows offers refuge, breeding grounds, and nurseries for many species, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Seagrass beds are particularly important for juvenile stages of various marine organisms, as they provide protection from predators and offer abundant food sources.
Carbon Sequestration
Seagrass beds are highly efficient at capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. The plants absorb CO2 and convert it into organic matter, which is then stored in the plant's tissues and sediments. This carbon sequestration helps mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Water Quality Improvement
Seagrass beds play a significant role in improving water quality in coastal areas. They act as natural filters by trapping and removing sediments, nutrients, and pollutants from the water column. Seagrass roots and rhizomes bind the sediment, preventing it from being washed away with currents. The plants also absorb excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality.
Biodiversity and Food Web Support
Seagrass beds support a diverse range of species, contributing to the overall biodiversity of coastal ecosystems. The plants provide food and habitat for herbivores, which in turn attract predators and support a complex food web. The presence of seagrass beds enhances the productivity and stability of coastal ecosystems and sustains the populations of many marine organisms.
In conclusion, while seagrass beds provide habitat, filter water, and support biodiversity, their primary function in coastal waters is to reduce wave and current energy. They act as natural buffers, protecting coastlines from erosion and storm damage. Seagrass beds are essential for the health and stability of coastal ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of these fragile environments.
Wave and Current Energy Reduction
Seagrass beds act as natural buffers against wave and current energy. The dense root systems and above-ground biomass of seagrass plants dissipate the force of waves and currents, which helps to protect the coastlines from erosion. The flexibility and resistance of seagrass blades also contribute to reducing the impact of waves and currents. As a result, seagrass beds can stabilize coastlines and provide a natural defense against coastal erosion and storm damage.
Habitat and Shelter
Seagrass beds provide essential habitat and shelter for a wide variety of marine organisms. The dense and complex structure of seagrass meadows offers refuge, breeding grounds, and nurseries for many species, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Seagrass beds are particularly important for juvenile stages of various marine organisms, as they provide protection from predators and offer abundant food sources.
Carbon Sequestration
Seagrass beds are highly efficient at capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. The plants absorb CO2 and convert it into organic matter, which is then stored in the plant's tissues and sediments. This carbon sequestration helps mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Water Quality Improvement
Seagrass beds play a significant role in improving water quality in coastal areas. They act as natural filters by trapping and removing sediments, nutrients, and pollutants from the water column. Seagrass roots and rhizomes bind the sediment, preventing it from being washed away with currents. The plants also absorb excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality.
Biodiversity and Food Web Support
Seagrass beds support a diverse range of species, contributing to the overall biodiversity of coastal ecosystems. The plants provide food and habitat for herbivores, which in turn attract predators and support a complex food web. The presence of seagrass beds enhances the productivity and stability of coastal ecosystems and sustains the populations of many marine organisms.
In conclusion, while seagrass beds provide habitat, filter water, and support biodiversity, their primary function in coastal waters is to reduce wave and current energy. They act as natural buffers, protecting coastlines from erosion and storm damage. Seagrass beds are essential for the health and stability of coastal ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of these fragile environments.
|
Explore Courses for UPSC exam
|
|
Similar UPSC Doubts
Top Courses for UPSCView all
What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. 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 What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. 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 What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC.
Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of
What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an
ample number of questions to practice What is the primary function of seagrass beds in coastal waters?a)To provide shelter for marine invertebratesb)To filter heavy metals from the waterc)To reduce wave and current energyd)To serve as a source of sedimentCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
|
|
Explore Courses for UPSC exam
|
|
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
|
© EduRev
|
Education Revolution
|
|
Signup to see your scores
go up within 7 days!
Access 1000+ FREE Docs, Videos and Tests
Takes less than 10 seconds to signup