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?
✓ Correct answer: d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots.
ExplanationMangroves function as a safety hedge due to their ex- tensive root systems.These roots act as a natural barrier, pro- tecting coastlines from erosion and the impact of strong waves during storms, cyclones, and tsunamis.The dense network of roots helps to dissipate the energy of waves, reducing their im- pact on the shoreline.Mangroves: Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs found in coastal intertidal zones, primarily in tropical and sub- tropical regions.They thrive in saline, waterlogged, and oxy- gen-poor soils, with specialized stilt roots (for stability) and pneumatophores (for breathing in low-oxygen conditions).They act as natural coastal barriers, protecting shorelines from erosion, storm surges, and tsunamis and also support rich biodiversity, providing habitat for fish, crabs, birds, and other marine life.Major mangrove forests in India in- clude Sundarbans, Mahanadi Delta, Godavari-Krishna Del- ta, and Pichavaram.SUPER HINT Logically ask: What physical feature of mangroves could protect people from violent water and wind?Only Option D aligns with this, Strong
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