Multiple Choice, Single Answer (Reading) — practice #rmcsa-002

Mangrove forests grow along sheltered tropical coastlines where salt water and fresh water meet. Their tangled, arching roots trap sediment and slow incoming waves, protecting inland communities from storm surges and erosion. Beyond this defensive role, mangroves serve as nurseries for fish, crabs, and shrimp, supporting fisheries that millions of coastal families depend upon. They also store remarkable amounts of carbon, locking it away in waterlogged soils far longer than many land-based forests. Despite these benefits, mangroves have been cleared rapidly for shrimp farming, tourism, and urban expansion. Scientists warn that their loss leaves shorelines exposed and releases stored carbon into the atmosphere. Several nations have begun replanting programmes, recognising that restoring mangroves can be cheaper than building concrete sea walls to achieve comparable coastal protection.