The Forest

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

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

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  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
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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.

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2. Which one of the following statements is NOT correct ?

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct ?

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Mahogany is a timber species of Tropical Rainforest
Chaparral vegetation is found in Taiga climate
Lichens are predominantly found in Tundra region
Sal is a representative species of Moist Deciduous Forest
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2020
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The correct answer is (B) Chaparral vegetation is found in Taiga climate.
Statement A is correct: Mahogany is a valuable hardwood species typically found in tropical rainforests, especially in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.
Statement B is incorrect: Chaparral vegetation is a shrubland biome found in regions with a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Examples include coastal California, the Mediterranean Basin, central Chile, the Cape Province of South Africa, and southwestern Australia. Taiga (also known as Boreal Forest) is found in subarctic regions with long, cold winters and short, mild summers.
Statement C is correct: Lichens are composite organisms that are pioneers in colonizing barren ground and are well-adapted to harsh, cold environments. They are abundant in Tundra regions, where they form a significant part of the ground cover.
Statement D is correct: Sal (Shorea robusta) is a dominant tree species of the Moist Deciduous Forests in India, found widely across the sub-Himalayan region, central India, and the Eastern Ghats.
The Taiga climate primarily supports coniferous forests (like pine, spruce, fir) and some deciduous trees like birch, not chaparral vegetation. Chaparral is adapted to fire-prone environments and drought-tolerant conditions typical of Mediterranean climates.

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3. Which one of the following does NOT fall in the areas of tropical deci

Which one of the following does NOT fall in the areas of tropical deciduous forest biomes ?

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The Neotropics mainly West Indies
Indo-Malaysian zone mainly in south and south-east Asia except equatorial evergreen rainforest areas
Eastern Africa and northern Australia
North America mainly South-west America
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2019
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The correct answer is D) North America mainly South-west America. Tropical deciduous forests are found in regions with a tropical climate characterized by a distinct dry season. Southwest America (USA/Mexico border region) is predominantly an arid and semi-arid desert biome, not a tropical deciduous forest biome.
– Tropical deciduous forests (or tropical dry forests) are found in parts of the tropics with significant seasonal variation in rainfall, leading trees to shed their leaves during the dry season.
– Examples of regions with tropical deciduous forests include parts of India, Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, Eastern Africa, Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean.
– The Southwest region of the United States, however, is characterized by arid and semi-arid climates supporting desert vegetation, chaparral, and grasslands, not tropical deciduous forests.
The distribution of biomes is determined by climate patterns, primarily temperature and precipitation. Tropical deciduous forests require both high temperatures and a significant amount of rainfall, concentrated in a specific wet season, which is not characteristic of the Southwest American climate.

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4. Consider the following statements: Areas where rainfall exceeds 250

Consider the following statements:

  • Areas where rainfall exceeds 250 cm
  • Annual temperature 25°C – 27°C
  • Average humidity exceeds 75%
  • Trees do not shed the leaves

To which one of the following types of vegetation does the above represent ?

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Tropical wet evergreen
Tropical semi evergreen
Tropical moist deciduous
Tropical dry evergreen
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
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The correct option is A.
The given characteristics are:
– Rainfall exceeds 250 cm (very high)
– Annual temperature 25°C – 27°C (high)
– Average humidity exceeds 75% (very high)
– Trees do not shed the leaves (evergreen)
These conditions describe a climate that is hot, wet, and humid throughout the year with no significant dry season. This climate supports dense forests where trees remain green all year round. This perfectly matches the description of Tropical wet evergreen forests.
Tropical semi-evergreen forests are transitional zones receiving slightly less rainfall. Tropical moist deciduous forests occur in areas with distinct wet and dry seasons, where trees shed leaves in the dry period. Tropical dry evergreen forests are found in regions with moderate rainfall but a long dry season, with evergreen trees adapted to conserve water. None of these other options fit the description of very high rainfall, temperature, and humidity combined with evergreen vegetation.

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5. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I
(Vegetation)
A. Chaparrals
B. Maquis
C. Fynbos
D. Malle scrubs

List II
(Region)
1. North America
2. Southern Europe
3. South Africa
4. Australia

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Code :

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A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
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The correct match for the vegetation types found in regions with Mediterranean climates is:
A. Chaparrals – 1. North America
B. Maquis – 2. Southern Europe
C. Fynbos – 3. South Africa
D. Malle scrubs – 4. Australia
– Chaparrals are shrubland plant communities found primarily in California, USA, which has a Mediterranean climate.
– Maquis is a dense growth of evergreen shrubs, characteristic of the Mediterranean region of southern Europe.
– Fynbos is a distinct type of shrubland vegetation found in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, an area with a Mediterranean climate.
– Mallee scrub is a native vegetation type in southern Australia, characterized by shrubby eucalyptus species, found in regions with a Mediterranean climate.
Mediterranean climate regions (characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters) are found in different parts of the world. Despite being geographically separated, these regions often develop similar vegetation types due to convergent evolution. The names like Chaparral, Maquis, Fynbos, and Mallee are local terms for these broadly similar vegetation structures.

6. Which one of the following is the natural vegetation of South east Chi

Which one of the following is the natural vegetation of South east China ?

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Subtropical broadleaf evergreen forest
Tropical broadleaf evergreen forest
Tropical deciduous forest
Temperate evergreen forest
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2020
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South east China is located in a region characterized by a humid subtropical climate. This climate zone, with warm to hot, humid summers and mild winters with sufficient rainfall throughout the year, is ideal for the growth of broadleaf evergreen forests that thrive in subtropical conditions. Therefore, the natural vegetation is Subtropical broadleaf evergreen forest.
Climate is the primary determinant of natural vegetation type. Humid subtropical climates support broadleaf evergreen forests.
Examples of vegetation found in this region include various species of oaks, laurels, magnolias, and camphors. While tropical evergreen forests require consistently high temperatures year-round, and temperate forests experience distinct cold winters and shedding of leaves (deciduous) or are evergreen in colder temperate zones (coniferous/some broadleaf), the climate of southeast China fits the subtropical category best.

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7. Spruce and Cedar are tree varieties of

Spruce and Cedar are tree varieties of

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Equatorial forest
Temperate coniferous forest
Monsoon forest
Temperate deciduous forest
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2016
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The correct answer is B) Temperate coniferous forest.
Spruce and Cedar are characteristic tree species found in temperate coniferous forests, also known as Boreal forests or Taiga in colder regions. These forests are dominated by evergreen, cone-bearing trees adapted to cold climates and relatively poor soils.
– Equatorial forests (tropical rainforests) are characterized by high biodiversity, broad-leaved evergreen trees, and high rainfall and temperatures year-round.
– Monsoon forests (tropical deciduous forests) are found in regions with a distinct wet and dry season, and many trees shed their leaves during the dry season.
– Temperate deciduous forests are characterized by trees that shed their leaves annually in autumn, found in regions with distinct seasons and moderate rainfall. Examples include oak, maple, and beech.

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8. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I
(Region)		List II
(Vegetation)
A. Selvas1. Conifers
B. Savannas2. Mosses and Lichens
C. Taiga3. Epiphytes
D. Tundra4. Grasses and trees

Code :

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4 1 2 3
3 2 1 4
3 4 1 2
4 2 1 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
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Let’s match the regions with their characteristic vegetation:
A. Selvas: This term is often used for the equatorial rainforests, particularly in the Amazon basin. These forests are dense and rich in biodiversity, including many epiphytic plants that grow on other plants for support. So, Selvas match with Epiphytes (3).
B. Savannas: Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees, found in tropical and subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. So, Savannas match with Grasses and trees (4).
C. Taiga: Taiga is the boreal forest, a biome characterized by coniferous forests, found in cold climates. So, Taiga match with Conifers (1).
D. Tundra: Tundra is a treeless polar or alpine biome characterized by permafrost, low temperatures, and short growing seasons. Vegetation is typically limited to mosses, lichens, grasses, sedges, and dwarf shrubs. So, Tundra match with Mosses and Lichens (2).
Putting it together: A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2. This matches option C.
Distinct biomes are characterized by specific climate conditions and resulting vegetation types. Selvas (tropical rainforests) feature epiphytes, Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees, Taiga (boreal forests) are dominated by conifers, and Tundra has low vegetation like mosses and lichens.
Selvas is a term specifically associated with the Amazon rainforest. Epiphytes are plants that grow harmlessly on another plant and get moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, or accumulated debris, common in humid tropical forests. Savannas cover large areas of Africa, Australia, and South America. Taiga is the largest terrestrial biome, located south of the Arctic tundra. Tundra is found in high latitudes and high altitudes.

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9. The luxuriant growth of natural vegetation in tropical rainforest is d

The luxuriant growth of natural vegetation in tropical rainforest is due to

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  • 1. fertile soil.
  • 2. hot and wet climate throughout the year.
  • 3. intense sunlight for photosynthesis.
  • 4. seasonal change to facilitate nutrient absorption.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 4 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
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Tropical rainforests are characterized by consistently high temperatures and abundant rainfall throughout the year.
Statement 2 (hot and wet climate throughout the year) provides the ideal temperature and moisture conditions for rapid plant growth. Statement 3 (intense sunlight for photosynthesis), due to their location near the equator, ensures high energy input for primary production. Statement 1 (fertile soil) is generally incorrect; rainforest soils are often poor in nutrients as rapid decomposition and uptake mean most nutrients are stored in the biomass, not the soil. Statement 4 (seasonal change) is incorrect; tropical rainforests exhibit minimal seasonal temperature and rainfall variation compared to other biomes, and nutrient cycling is continuous.
The combination of high temperature, high humidity, and intense sunlight creates a highly productive environment for vegetation growth. The limiting factor is usually not climate or light, but rather nutrient availability, which is compensated for by efficient nutrient cycling within the ecosystem.

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10. Timber vegetation is generally not found in which of the following

Timber vegetation is generally not found in which of the following regions?

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Subtropical region
Temperate region
Alpine region
Tundra region
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2020
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Timber vegetation is generally not found in the Tundra region.
Tundra regions are characterized by extremely low temperatures, short growing seasons, and permafrost (permanently frozen ground). These conditions prevent the growth of large trees suitable for timber. The vegetation typically consists of mosses, lichens, grasses, sedges, and dwarf shrubs.
Alpine regions, which are high-altitude areas above the tree line, also generally lack timber vegetation for similar reasons (cold, wind, thin soil). Subtropical and Temperate regions, however, are well-known for their extensive forests containing various types of trees that are sources of timber, such as evergreen, deciduous, and coniferous forests.

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