UPSC Civil Service Exam Questions - Engineering

Q1:

In which type of lakes, does a perfect ecological equilibrium among the producers, decomposers and consumer groups of organisms exist ?

A Senescent lakes

B Mesotrophic lakes

C Oligotrophic lakes

D Eutrophic lakes

ANS:C - Oligotrophic lakes

Option (C) is correct.

A perfect ecological system means that are producers, consumers and decomposers present in the system in such a manner that food and energy flows from one level to the other. The pollutants (nitrogen and phosphorous) disturb this equilibrium by increasing productivity of a lake increases productivity of a lake. As the productivity of a lake increases, its water quality reduces and equilibrium is disturbed. Oligotrophic lakes have low level of productivity so they can be considered to be perfect ecological system.