UPSC Prelims 2023 · Question 73 of 97
UPSC Prelims 2023 question on Rainforest Soil Nutrients
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2023
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicClimatology
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeAssertion
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.
Statement-II:
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?
Show answer
Answer: D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Analysis
Hence option (d) — Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct — is the correct answer.
Statement by statement
Statement I – INCORRECT: In the rainforest, most of the carbon and essential nutrients are locked up in the living vegetation, dead wood, and decaying leaves. As organic material decays, it is recycled so quickly that few nutrients ever reach the soil, leaving it nearly sterile. The soil is actually POOR in nutrients — not rich.
Statement II – CORRECT: The high temperature and moisture of tropical rainforests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly. Decaying matter (dead wood and leaf litter) is processed so efficiently because of the abundance of decomposers including bacteria, fungi, and termites. These organisms take up nutrients, which are released as wastes when organisms die. Virtually all organic matter is rapidly processed.