Read the following statements.
(i) Removal of tigers from an area will result in increased growth of vegetation of that area.
(ii) Organisms at each trophic level depend on those at the lower trophic level for their energy demands.
(iii) Food chains are sustained by producers and decomposers
(iv) In a food chain , some organism like sparrow operates at one trophic level only.
Select an option which shows CORRECT statements.

Options

A. (i) and (ii)
B. (ii) ad (iv)
C. (ii) and (iii)
D. (i) , (iii) and (iv)

Answer

To determine which statements are correct, let's analyze each one step by step:

### Step 1: Analyze Statement (i)
**Statement:** Removal of tigers from an area will result in increased growth of vegetation of that area.

**Analysis:** This statement is incorrect. Tigers are apex predators and play a crucial role in controlling the population of herbivores (like deer). If tigers are removed, the herbivore population will increase due to the lack of predation. As herbivores increase, they will consume more vegetation, leading to a decrease in plant growth, not an increase.

**Conclusion:** Statement (i) is **incorrect**.

### Step 2: Analyze Statement (ii)
**Statement:** Organisms at each trophic level depend on those at the lower trophic level for their energy demands.

**Analysis:** This statement is correct. In a food chain, energy flows from producers (like plants) to primary consumers (herbivores) and then to higher trophic levels (carnivores). Each level depends on the one below it for energy. For example, herbivores depend on plants for energy, and carnivores depend on herbivores.

**Conclusion:** Statement (ii) is **correct**.

### Step 3: Analyze Statement (iii)
**Statement:** Food chains are sustained by producers and decomposers.

**Analysis:** This statement is also correct. Producers (like plants) create energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain. Decomposers (like fungi and bacteria) break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil, which supports producers. Thus, both producers and decomposers are essential for sustaining food chains.

**Conclusion:** Statement (iii) is **correct**.

### Step 4: Analyze Statement (iv)
**Statement:** In a food chain, some organisms like sparrow operate at one trophic level only.

**Analysis:** This statement is incorrect. Sparrows can occupy multiple trophic levels. They can be primary consumers when they eat seeds (producers) and secondary consumers when they eat insects (which are primary consumers). Thus, sparrows do not operate at just one trophic level.

**Conclusion:** Statement (iv) is **incorrect**.

### Final Conclusion
The correct statements are (ii) and (iii). Therefore, the option that shows the correct statements is:

**Correct Answer:** Statements (ii) and (iii) are correct.

---