Question

With reference to Littoral forest, answer the following questions:
(i) Why do the trees in this forest grow aerial roots?
(ii) Name one area in India where this forest is found.

Answer 1

Hint:
Aerial roots are roots that grow in the upper parts of a plant. Aerial roots in wooded vines act as anchors, attaching the plant to supporting structures such as trellises, rocks, and walls. Some types of aerial roots also absorb moisture and nutrients, such as underground roots.

Complete step by step solution:
 An aerial root can be defined as the root, at least part of the day, exposed to the air. Aerial roots are an unusual variation of plant roots, serving other purposes as other roots, but with rotation. They cling to something of support, at least in the end, such as trees, bark, or rocks, but they are never completely submerged in the ground. They do not grow on the root tissue, but on the stem of the plant or on the leaves of the leaves. Some roots also contain chlorophyll and can do photosynthesis. Littoral forests are found on the coast of Odisha, on the shores of Tamil Nadu, on the coast of Gujarat, Goa. Mangroves can live in well-watered areas, elevate themselves above water level with set roots and enter the air through holes in their bark. Prop root systems allow mangroves to absorb direct gases from the atmosphere, as well as various other body elements, such as iron from uninhabited soil. Gases are usually stored directly inside the roots and processed even if the roots are immersed during high waves. Littoral forests are found in many coastal areas and encroach on the delta Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri.

Note:
The Banyan trees are an example of a choked fig that starts life like an epiphyte in the crown of another tree. Their roots grow on the ground and around the trunk of the guardian, their growth accelerates when the earth is reached. Over time, the roots combine to form a pseudotrunk, which may give the impression that it is choking the householder.