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Difficulty: MediumSoils, Natural Vegetation, and Agriculture in India

Consider the following statements regarding a major natural vegetation type in India:

1. It represents the most widespread forest category in India, occurring in regions receiving annual rainfall between 70 cm and 100 cm.
2. The trees shed their leaves entirely during the dry spring and early summer seasons to conserve moisture.
3. Teak, Sal, Peepal, and Neem are among the dominant tree species characteristic of this forest ecosystem.

Which of the following natural vegetation types is described by the statements above?

  1. Tropical Dry Deciduous ForestAnswer
  2. B
    Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest
  3. C
    Tropical Thorn Forest and Scrub
  4. D
    Tropical Evergreen Forest

Answer

Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest
The statements precisely delineate Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests. This vegetation type occupies the highest area percentage among all Indian forest types, covering the rainier parts of the Peninsular plateau and the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where annual rainfall ranges between 70 cm and 100 cm. Common species include Teak, Sal, Laurel, Tenduglass, Peepal, and Neem.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the rainfall parameter
The specified annual precipitation range of 70 cm to 100 cm marks the transition between moist deciduous forests (100–200 cm) and semi-arid thorn scrub (< 70 cm).
Rainfall threshold is the single primary determinant for classifying Indian lowland natural vegetation belts.
2
Evaluate phenological characteristics and representative flora
Leaf shedding during dry spring/early summer paired with dominant timber species such as Teak, Sal, Peepal, and Neem aligns with the dry deciduous forest zone.
Trees in dry deciduous forests adapt to seasonal moisture stress by shedding leaves during the dry period prior to the arrival of the south-west monsoon.

Key Concept

Classification and Isohyetal Boundaries of Natural Vegetation Belts in India
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Soils, Natural Vegetation, and Agriculture in India

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