Natural Vegetation

Natural Vegetation

 

Total Questions: 38

21. The birch tree is found in - [Uttarakhand P.C.S.(Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (b) Himalayas
Solution:The Birch tree is found in the Himalayas. The white paper- like bark of the tree was used in ancient times for writing scriptures and texts. It is a deciduous broadleaved species that dominates the Himalayan region.

Distribution: It is widely distributed in the altitudinal range from 3100-3800 m in North-western Himalaya. It is native to the Western Himalayas and grows at elevations of up to 4,500 metres
Features

  • It has a high freezing tolerance potential, allowing it to form a treeline in the Himalayan region.
  • It is a long-lived species which can survive up to 400 years and the only angiosperm in the Himalaya which dominates an extensive area at sub - alpine altitudes.

Ecological significance: It contributes to the preservation of the Himalayan ecosystem by reducing soil erosion and creating a bio-shield for the remaining forests and sub-alpine meadows below the treeline.

22. Which of the following woods is used for manufacturing HOS Katha? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

Correct Answer: (b) Khair
Solution:The Kathha is obtained from the wood of Khair. Katha is a white substance found in Khair wood. It grows throughout India from the Himalayas to the south of India, especially in arid regions.

23. In India, which type of forest among the following occupies the largest area? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest
Solution:Tropical (Dry) deciduous forest occupies the largest area in India. The Tropical moist deciduous forest is the second largest forest, area in India. Teak and Sal are significant products of it.

According to ISFR, 2019, mountainous wet temperate forest is found on 2.66 percent are, subtropical dry evergreen forest on 0.02% area, Tropical wet deciduous forest on 17.65% area and tropical wet evergreen forest on 2.61% area.

24. Teak and Sal are the products of- [U.P.P.C.S.(MAINS) 2007]

Correct Answer: (a) Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests
Solution:Tropical (Dry) deciduous forest occupies the largest area in India. The Tropical moist deciduous forest is the second largest forest, area in India. Teak and Sal are significant products of it.

According to ISFR, 2019, mountainous wet temperate forest is found on 2.66 percent are, subtropical dry evergreen forest on 0.02% area, Tropical wet deciduous forest on 17.65% area and tropical wet evergreen forest on 2.61% area.

25. In Himalayan ranges the types of vegetation changes with altitude due to the following reasons- [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

1. decrease in temperature

2. changes in rain forms

3. unfertile soil

4. strong winds

Select the correct answer

Correct Answer: (a) 1,2 and 3
Solution:If we talk generally, the vegetation decreases with the increasing altitude and the sun facing side of a mountain also has better vegetation growth. Significantly, Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitude.

The major reasons for this change include altitude, drop in temperature, change in rainfall, infertility of soil, lowering of atmospheric pressure and lightening of air. Apart from this, with the increase in altitude, there is a decrease in the land area and changes in climate and latitudinal position also have an effect.

Note - The answer this question was shown deleted by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission in its revised answer sheet. That is, except for this question, the evaluation was done.

26. Consider the following types of erosion and areasing these in correct sequence in terms of the increasing order of soil loss from the field due to these types of region: [U.P.R.O./A.R.O.(Pre) 2023]

1. Gully erosion

II. Splash erosion

III. Rill erosion

IV. Sheet erosion

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Code:

Correct Answer: (c) II, III, IV, I
Solution:States of soil erosion (increasing order of soil loss)- Splash erison, Sheet erison. Rill erosion - Gully erosion. Notably, Erosion is the process where rocks are broken down by natural forces such as wind or water.

27. Compared to the Eastern Himalayas, the height of the tree-line in the Western Himalayas is: [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

Correct Answer: (b) Less
Solution:The tree line is the edge of the habitat at which trees are capable of growing. The value of natural tree-line in the Eastern Himalayas and Central Himalayas is about 3600- 3800m.

In the western and north western Himalayan region, its value decreases to about 3300-3600m. Therefore, the value of tree-line is less in the Western Himalayas as compared to Eastern Himalayas.

28. Which is the major resources of the Western Himalayan Region? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (a) Forest
Solution:Forests are the main resources of the western Himalayan region. About 65 percent of the area is covered by forests.

Western Himalayas

Between the Indus in the west and the Kali river in the east (880 km). Spread across three states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It encompasses three physiographic provinces namely Kashmir Himalaya, Himachal Himalaya and Kumaon Himalaya (Uttarakhand Himalayas).

The Ladakh plateau and the Kashmir valley are two important areas of the Kashmir Himalayan region. In Himachal Himalayas, The Greater Himalaya is represented by the Zaskar range, lesser Himalaya by Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges and the Outer Himalaya by the Shiwalik range.

The southern slopes are rugged, steep and forested while the northern slopes are bare, gentle and show plains with lakes. The Kumaon Himalayas lie in Uttarakhand and extend from the Satluj to the Kali river. The Lesser Himalayas in Kumaon Himalaya is represented by the Mussoorie and Nag Tiba ranges.

The Shiwalik in this region runs south of the Mussoori range between the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers. The flat valleys between the Lesser Himalaya and the Shiwalik range are called 'doons' or 'Duns' of which Dehra Dun is the most famous.

29. Which one of the following tree is abundant in the temperate zone of Western Himalayas? [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A (Pre) 2003]

Correct Answer: (b) Deodar
Solution:The western Himalayan region extends at an elevation of 1500-2500 meters. Its temperate zone is rich in forests of Deodar, Chir, Pine, other conifers and broad-leaved temperate trees. The trees of Deodar is abundant in the temperate zone of western Himalayas than any other plants.

30. Given below are two statements, in which one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R) : [U.P.R.O./A.R.O.(Pre) 2023]

Assertion (A): The northern slopes of the Himalayas have a thicker vegetation cover compared to the southern slopes.

Reason (R) : Southern slopes of Himalayas receive more rainfall than the northern slopes

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Code:

Correct Answer: (a) (A) is false but (R) is true.
Solution:In the Southern slopes of the Himalays, both rainfall and sun- light are higher compared to the northern slopes. That is why denser vegetation is found on the Southern slopes of the Hi- malayan region compared to the northern slopes.