Question 100 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Geography

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.
2. The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

Strategy: Recall key ecological characteristics of tropical rainforests, specifically regarding soil nutrient content and decomposition rates.
Evaluate given statements against these ecological facts.
Identify the option that accurately reflects the correctness or incorrectness of each statement based on the facts.

Key Info: Tropical rainforests are located near the equator and are characterized by high temperature and consistently high rainfall.

Their soils, known as laterites, are typically acidic, highly leached, and low in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium -- most nutrients are in the living biomass.

The rapid decomposition of organic matter in these forests is driven by warmth and moisture, which promote intense microbial and detritivore activity. This fast decomposition ensures nutrients are quickly recycled and taken up by roots, leaving little to accumulate in the soil itself.

As a result, soils are often shallow, low in organic matter, and support only thin surface fertility. Management and cultivation in such environments frequently lead to rapid nutrient depletion and decreased agricultural potential.

Key decomposers include:
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Various invertebrates (e.g., termites, ants)

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.

Consider the following statements: The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients. The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Consider the following statements:

The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.

The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?