Q. Fig trees (genus Ficus) are considered sacred in India, East Asia and Africa and are common in agricultural and urban landscapes where other large trees are absent.
In natural forests, fig trees provide food for wildlife when other resources are scarce and support a high density and diversity of frugivores (fruit-eating animals). If frugivorous birds and bats continue to visit to fig trees located in sites with high human disturbances, sacred fig trees may promote frugivore abundance. Under favourable microclimate, plenty of seedlings of other tree species would grow around fig trees.
Q 1. On the basis of the passage given above, the following assumption have been made:
1. Fig trees can often be keystone species in natural forests.
2. Fig trees can grow where other large woody species cannot grow.
3. Sacred trees can have a role in biodiversity conservation.
4. Fig trees have a role in the seed dispersal of other tree species.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2021 CSAT Paper
Explanation :
Q1: Correct Answer – (d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation – Based on the information given in the passage, assumptions 1, 3 and 4 are valid. The passage states that fig trees provide food for wildlife when other resources are scarce and support a high density and diversity of frugivores. This suggests that fig trees can often be keystone species in natural forests (assumption 1). The passage also mentions that sacred fig trees may promote frugivore abundance and that under favorable microclimate, plenty of seedlings of other tree species would grow around fig trees. This suggests that sacred trees can have a role in biodiversity conservation (assumption 3) and that fig trees have a role in the seed dispersal of other tree species (assumption 4). However, the passage does not provide any information to support assumption 2. So the correct answer is (d) 1, 3 and 4 only.
