Important Questions: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife - UPSC MCQ

A wide variety of mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles can be found in a deciduous forest biome. Mammals that are commonly found in a deciduous forest include bears, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, wood mice, and, in the U.S., deer can be found in these forests.

Citrus fruits such as oranges, figs, olives and grapes are commonly cultivated in Mediterranean Region because people have removed the natural vegetation in order to cultivate what they want to. 

Explanation:
The forest that is called taiga is the coniferous forest. Here is a detailed explanation:
Definition of Taiga:
- Taiga is a type of forest characterized by the predominance of coniferous trees.
- It is the largest terrestrial biome on Earth, covering vast areas of northern North America, Europe, and Asia.
Characteristics of Taiga:
- Cold Climate: Taiga forests are located in cold regions, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers.
- Coniferous Trees: The taiga is dominated by coniferous trees such as pines, spruces, and firs, which are adapted to the cold climate.
- Needle-like Leaves: Coniferous trees have needle-like leaves that help reduce water loss and withstand the harsh winter conditions.
- Acidic Soils: The soils in the taiga are often acidic and low in nutrients due to slow decomposition rates and leaching.
Importance of Taiga:
- Climate Regulation: The taiga plays an important role in regulating global climate by storing large amounts of carbon dioxide.
- Biodiversity: Despite the harsh conditions, the taiga is home to a variety of wildlife, including mammals like bears, wolves, and deer, as well as numerous bird species.
- Natural Resources: The taiga is rich in natural resources such as timber, which is harvested for various purposes.
In conclusion, the forest called taiga is the coniferous forest, characterized by coniferous trees, cold climate, and acidic soils. It is an important biome for climate regulation and supports diverse wildlife.

Coniferous forest, vegetation composed primarily of cone-bearing needle-leaved or scale-leaved evergreen trees, found in areas that have long winters and moderate to high annual precipitation.

Taiga means:
- Taiga is a word derived from the Russian language, which refers to a type of biome or ecosystem found primarily in the northern regions of the world.
- The taiga is characterized by its cold climate, with long, harsh winters and short, cool summers.
- It is also known as the boreal forest or snow forest.
- The word "taiga" has a specific meaning related to its natural environment and characteristics.
- The correct answer to the question is C: "pure or untouched."
- This meaning reflects the fact that the taiga is a pristine and relatively undisturbed ecosystem, with vast expanses of unspoiled wilderness.
- The taiga is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the region.
- The term "pure or untouched" captures the idea that the taiga is a symbol of natural beauty and ecological integrity.
- It is often seen as a valuable resource for scientific research and conservation efforts.
- The taiga plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate and supporting biodiversity.
- It also provides important ecosystem services, such as carbon storage and water filtration.
- Overall, the word "taiga" carries a rich and significant meaning related to the unique and precious nature of this ecosystem.

Conservation means usage, improvement, protection of human and natural resources in a wise manner.

The answer is B: Tropical grasslands.
Tropical grasslands occur on either side of the equator and extend till the tropics. They are also known as savannas and are characterized by a mixture of grasses and scattered trees or shrubs. Here is a detailed explanation:
Characteristics of Tropical Grasslands:
- Climate: Tropical grasslands have a hot and humid climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The average annual rainfall ranges between 500-1500 mm.
- Vegetation: The dominant vegetation consists of tall grasses, such as elephant grass, buffalo grass, and Bermuda grass. There are also scattered trees or shrubs, which are usually drought-resistant.
- Wildlife: Tropical grasslands support a diverse range of wildlife. They are home to large herbivores like elephants, zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. Predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas can also be found in these grasslands.
- Human activities: Tropical grasslands are often used for agriculture, particularly for grazing livestock. They are also important for wildlife conservation and tourism.
Comparison with other options:
- Deciduous grassland: Deciduous grasslands are typically found in temperate regions and are characterized by a distinct change in seasons and the presence of deciduous trees. They do not extend till the tropics.
- Thorny bushes: Thorny bushes refer to arid regions with sparsely distributed thorny vegetation. They are found in desert or semi-desert areas, not in tropical regions.
- Temperate grassland: Temperate grasslands are found in temperate regions, such as the prairies in North America or the steppes in Eurasia. They have a different climate and vegetation compared to tropical grasslands.
In conclusion, tropical grasslands occur on either side of the equator and extend till the tropics. They are characterized by a mixture of grasses and scattered trees or shrubs and support a diverse range of wildlife.

The correct answer is D: Africa. Here is a detailed explanation:
Savannah grasslands are a type of tropical grassland characterized by scattered trees and grasses. They are found in several regions around the world, but the most famous and extensive savannahs are found in Africa.
- America: The grasslands in America are known as prairies, not savannahs. They are different in terms of vegetation and climate.
- Australia: Although Australia has grasslands called "Outback," they are not considered tropical savannahs. The climate and vegetation in Australia differ from those found in African savannahs.
- Asia: While Asia has vast grasslands known as steppes, they are not considered tropical savannahs. Steppes have a different climate and vegetation compared to African savannahs.
- Africa: The African savannah is the most famous and extensive savannah in the world. It stretches across several countries in East, South, and West Africa. The savannah grasslands in Africa are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, and zebras.
In conclusion, the savannah grasslands of Africa are considered tropical grasslands. They are characterized by their unique vegetation, climate, and diverse wildlife.

Anacondas are the largest and heaviest known snakes. They can be found in tropical rainforests, lakes and swamps of South America. Anacondas are especially numerous near Amazon and Orinoco rivers.

Tropical evergreen forests are found in those regions which receive more than 200 cm of rainfall whereas tropical rain forest grow in the region of heavy rainfall over 200 cm per annum

The animals in polar region have thick fur and thick skin. Answer: Thick fur and thick skin help these animals in fighting the extremely cold climate. Tropical deciduous trees shed their leaves in the dry season.

Temperate grasslands are found in mid-latitudinal regions and interior parts of countries, and the grass there is short and nutritious. Wild buffaloes, bisons and antelopes are the common animals found in these regions.

Answer:
The tropical grasslands in Venezuela are called "Llanos".
Explanation:
The answer is D: Llanos. Here is a detailed explanation:
- Tropical grasslands in Venezuela are known as Llanos.
- Llanos is a Spanish word that translates to "plains" or "flatlands" in English.
- Llanos is a vast region in Venezuela, characterized by grasslands, swamps, and rivers.
- It is a unique ecosystem with a diverse range of flora and fauna.
- The Llanos region experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, which influence the vegetation and wildlife found there.
- The grasslands of Llanos provide grazing areas for various herbivores, such as capybaras, deer, and cattle.
- The wetlands in Llanos are home to numerous bird species, including the iconic scarlet ibis.
- The Llanos region is also known for its cowboy culture and traditional cattle ranching practices.
- The Llanos grasslands play a vital role in the agricultural and economic activities of Venezuela.
In conclusion, the tropical grasslands in Venezuela are called Llanos, and they are an important and unique ecosystem in the country.

Tropical deserts are mostly found in the western margins of the country because the rainfall rate of that region is well to support the growth of tropical forests. The fertility of the soil is also good.

The moist deciduous forests are found in the regions, which record rainfall between 100 and 200 cm. The moist deciduous forests are found in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal.

Savannas - also known as tropical grasslands - are found to the north and south of tropical rainforest biomes. Savanna vegetation includes scrub , grasses and occasional trees, which grow near water holes , seasonal rivers or aquifers . Plants and animals have to adapt to the long dry periods.

The growth of vegetation depends on temperature and moisture. It also depends on factors like slope and thickness of soil. The type and thickness of natural vegetation varies from place to place because of the variation in these factors. these factors, dense and open forests are grown.

Only mosses, lichens and very small shrubs are found in Tundra vegetation. It grows during the very short summer. This is called Tundra type of vegetation. This vegetation is found in the polar areas of Europe, Asia, and North America.

The Pampas of South America are a grassland biome. They are flat, fertile plains that covers an area of 300,000 sq. miles or 777,000 square kilometers, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains. It is found primarily in Argentina and extends into Uruguay.

The Thorn Forests are found in the semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The Thorn Forests and Scrubs are found in regions where the rainfall is less than 70cm. The vegetation in these forests are thorny trees and bushes. Acacias, palms, euphorbias and cacti are the main plants found in these forests. Trees are scattered and have long roots penetrating deep into the soil in order to get moisture. The stems are succulent to conserve water Leaves are modified into spines (thorns) and are small to minimize transpiration.  

Tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturi, meaning treeless plain. It is noted for its frost-molded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients, and short growing seasons.