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Which of the following is used as a bio - indicator of air pollution?

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  1. Gern

  2. Cycas

  3. Pdeudomonas

  4. Lichens

Correct Answer: Option 4 (Solution Below)

This question was previously asked in

SSC JE ME Previous Paper 9 (Held on: 28 October 2020 Evening)

SSC JE ME Previous Paper (Held on: 28 October 2020 Evening)


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The correct answer is Lichens.

  • Lichens and bryophytes serve as effective bioindicators of air quality because they have no roots, no cuticle, and acquire all their nutrients from direct exposure to the atmosphere.
  • Their high surface area to volume ratio further encourages the interception and accumulation of contaminants from the air. 

  • Bioindicators include biological processes, species, or communities and are used to assess the quality of the environment and how it changes over time. Changes in the environment are often attributed to anthropogenic disturbances (e.g., pollution, land-use changes) or natural stressors (e.g., drought, late spring freeze), although anthropogenic stressors form the primary focus of bioindicator research.
  • The widespread development and application of bioindicators have occurred primarily since the 1960s. Over the years, we have expanded our repertoire of bioindicators to assist us in studying all types of environments (i.e., aquatic and terrestrial), using all major taxonomic groups.

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