QUESTION

Easy

World Geography

Prelims 2021

“Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees”. This is the most likely description of

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Explanation

Tropical Rainforest:

Hot and moist with year-round rainfall.
Dense canopy with multiple layers.
Rapid decomposition due to high temperature and humidity, leaving soil bare.
Vegetation includes climbers and epiphytes growing on tree branches.
Different from coniferous, dry deciduous, and mangrove forests.
Species found in these forests include rosewood, mahogony, aini, ebony, etc.
Distribution in India: mainly found in the Western Ghats, the Northeastern states, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and parts of Odisha's Mahanadi Delta.

Coniferous Forest:

Found in cold, high-altitude regions.
Dominated by evergreen trees like pine, fir, spruce, and cedar.
Needle-like leaves reduce water loss.
Supports animals like snow leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan black bears.
Distribution in India: Found in the Himalayan region (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim).

Dry Deciduous Forest:

Trees shed leaves in dry seasons to conserve water.
Dominated by species like teak, sal, neem, and tendu.
Soil is fertile, making it good for agriculture.
Home to tigers, deer, elephants, and langurs.
Distribution in India: Found in central and western India (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana).

Mangrove Forest:

Grow in coastal, saltwater regions.
Trees have stilt roots to survive in waterlogged conditions.
Provide breeding grounds for fish and protect coastlines from erosion.
Home to species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, saltwater crocodiles, and various birds.
Distribution in India: Found in coastal regions.