BIO BOTANY [ 5 Marks Questions ]

Remote Sensing is the process of detecting and monitoring the physical characteristics of an area by measuring its reflected and emitted radiation at a distance from the targeted area. It is an tool used in conservation practices by giving exact picture and data on identification of even a single tree to large area of vegetation and wild life for classification of land use patterns and studies, identification of biodiversity rich or less areas for futuristic works on conservation and maintenance of various species including commercial crop, medicinal plants and threatened plants.
Specific uses

1. Helps predicting favourable climate, for the study of spreading of disease and controlling it.
2. Mapping of forest fire and species distribution.
3. Tracking the patterns of urban area development and the changes in Farmland or forests over several years.
4. Mapping ocean bottom and its resources.

Eichhornia crassipes is an invasive weed native to South America. It was introduced as aquatic ornamental plant, which grows faster throughout the year. Its widespread growth is a major cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. It affects the growth of phytoplanktons and finally changing the aquatic ecosystem.
It also decreases the oxygen content of the waterbodies which leads to eutrophication. It poses a threat to human health because it creates a breeding habitat for disease causing mosquitoes (particularly Anopheles) and snails with its free floating dense roots and semi submerged leaves. It also blocks sunlight entering deep and the waer ways hampering agriculture, fisheries, recreation and hydropower.