Question

The Sundarbans, located in India, are known for being the largest _________________ ecosystem in the world.

• A. grass land
• B. pond
• C. forest
• D. mangrove

Hint:

• The Sundarbans are famous as the world's largest contiguous mangrove forest.
• Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in coastal intertidal zones.
• The Sundarbans are a critical habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger and other diverse wildlife.
• It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its unique ecological value.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The Sundarbans is a vast delta region located in the Bay of Bengal, formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. It straddles parts of India (West Bengal) and Bangladesh. The Sundarbans are renowned for being the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. Key features of the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem:

• Mangrove Flora: Characterized by specialized salt-tolerant trees and shrubs (halophytes) adapted to thrive in intertidal zones with brackish water. Species include Sundari (Heritiera fomes), Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), Goran (Ceriops decandra), etc.
• Rich Biodiversity: It is a unique ecosystem supporting a wide array of fauna, including the Royal Bengal Tiger (adapted to a mangrove habitat), estuarine crocodiles, spotted deer, various bird species, fish, and invertebrates.
• Ecological Importance: Mangroves provide crucial ecosystem services, including coastal protection from storms and erosion, nursery grounds for fish and shellfish, and carbon sequestration.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Both the Indian and Bangladeshi portions of the Sundarbans are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Option (a) grassland, (b) pond, and (c) forest (in a general sense) do not accurately describe the specific and unique nature of the Sundarbans ecosystem. It is specifically a mangrove ecosystem. \[ \boxed{\text{mangrove}} \]