Underwater forests found in five lakes worldwide, from Oregon to India
GS1History · Society · Geography· Places in news / mapping· Prelims·
Why in news
The identification of underwater forests in five global lakes, including India's Lake Periyar, highlights unique submerged ecosystems formed by geological and anthropogenic factors.
Background
Underwater forests are found in Clear Lake (Oregon, USA), Lake Volta (Ghana), Lake Kaindy (Kazakhstan), Lake Periyar (India), and Caddo Lake (USA). These ecosystems are preserved by volcanic activity, landslides, dam construction, or flooding.
Facts for Prelims
- PlaceLake Periyar: Located in Kerala, India; submerged following the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam.
- PlaceLake Kaindy: Located in Kazakhstan; formed by a landslide in 1911 blocking a river.
- PlaceLake Volta: Located in Ghana; created by the construction of the Akosombo Dam in the 1960s.
- PlaceClear Lake: Located in Oregon, USA; formed by volcanic activity.
- PlaceCaddo Lake: Located on the Texas-Louisiana border, USA; contains living cypress trees.
For Mains
Q. Discuss how anthropogenic interventions like dam construction and natural geological events contribute to the formation of unique submerged ecosystems and their ecological significance.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Ecological niche preservation: Submerged forests act as unique carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots for specialized aquatic species.
Keywords: Anthropogenic impact · Submerged ecosystems · Biodiversity hotspots · Hydrological alteration · Carbon sequestration
More Geography notes
- Floods and Landslides in India Kill at Least 25 · 20 July 2026
- Andhra Pradesh Overhauls Land Use Rules, Excluding Capital City Area · 18 July 2026
- Flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh wash away 84-metre bridge, cut off eight villages · 15 July 2026
- El Niño Extends Dry Spell: Monsoon Break Hits Delhi-NCR, Northern UP · 14 July 2026
- Dry Spell Hits Maharashtra: Rain Deficits Up to 70% Since June 1 · 14 July 2026
- India's Water Crisis Deepens: Ancient Techniques Lost to Modern Urbanization · 13 July 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.