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UPSC Prelims 2022 Paper-1 📅 05 Jun, 2022

"If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement?

A
(a) The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
B
(b) Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
C
(c) Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
D
(d) Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Result Summary
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APEDIA

UPSC Prelims
2022 • 05 Jun, 2022 • Paper-1
"If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement?
Correct Answer
(d) Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Metaphorical Analysis: In the human body, kidneys serve the critical biological function of filtering out toxins and waste products from the blood.Ecological Co......
Ref/Book : UPSC Prelims 2022
Ref. Subject Environment
Chapter -
Ref. Topic Biodiversity / Ecology
Pg. No -
💡 Analysis & Explanation
Metaphorical Analysis ▼
In the human body, kidneys serve the critical biological function of filtering out toxins and waste products from the blood.
Ecological Counterpart ▼
Similarly, wetlands act as massive natural filtration systems. The dense network of aquatic flora, soils, and associated microorganisms effectively trap, absorb, and filter out harmful heavy metals, agricultural chemicals, and excess nutrients from water flowing through them.
Conclusion ▼
Option D perfectly captures the filtering mechanism that justifies the "kidneys" comparison.
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