Question

The mangroves can shed tons of leaves per acre every year; fungi and bacteria break down this leaf litter and consume it, they then are consumed by tiny worms and crustaceans, which in turn feed small fish, which feed larger fish and birds and crocodiles. Which among the following is the most logical inference of the above statement?  

(a) Coastal areas cannot have food chains without mangroves.

(b) Mangroves are an essential component of all marine ecosystems.

(c) Mangroves have a crucial role in some of the coastal food chains.

(d) The composition of marine flora and fauna is largely determined by mangroves.

Answer 1

(c) The passage clearly talks about the role Mangroves play in some of the coastal food chains. Other food chains - with or without Mangroves - might exist but they are not mentioned in the passage. So (c) is correct. The passage does not say that no food chain is possible without Mangroves so (a) is wrong. (b) is also wrong as the passage does not talk about Mangroves being an essential component of all marine ecosystems. Further (d) is also wrong for the same reasoning as the passage does not talk about the composition of marine flora and fauna.