Question

Case: A region in India receives 3.9 million hectares of wetland coverage, with 70% under paddy cultivation. Two sites, Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park, are protected under the Ramsar Convention.

Which type of forest is primarily associated with this description?

• A. Tropical Evergreen Forests
• B. Littoral and Swamp Forests
• C. Montane Forests
• D. Tropical Thorn Forests

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Littoral and Swamp Forests

Littoral and Swamp Forests

• These forests are found in areas with waterlogged soils or in proximity to large water bodies like lakes and rivers.
• The description highlights a region with significant wetland coverage (3.9 million hectares), where 70% is utilized for paddy cultivation. This indicates conditions favorable for swampy or littoral environments.
• Chilika Lake, a brackish water lagoon, and Keoladeo National Park (also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), a man-made wetland, are internationally recognized under the Ramsar Convention. These sites are prime examples of wetland ecosystems where littoral and swamp vegetation thrive.
• Ramsar Convention: An international treaty signed in 1971 for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. India ratified it in 1982 and has designated numerous wetland sites.
• Characteristics: These forests typically feature water-tolerant vegetation, including various grasses, sedges, reeds, and trees adapted to saturated soil conditions.
• Ecological Significance: Wetlands like those described are crucial for biodiversity, acting as habitats for numerous bird species (especially migratory birds, as suggested by Keoladeo National Park), fish, and other wildlife. They also play vital roles in water purification and flood control.
• Paddy Cultivation: The extensive paddy cultivation (70%) in the described wetlands further supports the association with swampy conditions, as rice is grown in flooded fields.