Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of

Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of equatorial forests?

  1. Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy
  2. Coexistence of a large number of species
  3. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
All three statements describe characteristic features of equatorial forests (tropical rainforests). The presence of tall, closely set trees with a continuous canopy (leading to stratification), extremely high biodiversity with a large number of coexisting species, and the abundance of epiphytes are all unique or highly pronounced characteristics of this biome compared to others.
Equatorial forests are known for their high temperature and rainfall year-round, leading to dense vegetation, complex vertical structure (canopy layers), and exceptional species richness. These conditions also favour the growth of plants that live on others, like epiphytes.
The multi-layered structure of the forest, from the emergent layer to the understorey and forest floor, is a direct consequence of the dense canopy. The high biodiversity is attributed to a stable climate over long periods and complex ecological interactions. Epiphytes thrive in the humid conditions, utilizing the trees for support and access to sunlight.