Microtheme: Forests vegetation —
13 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2025] With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements:
   I. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans.
   II. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world’s oxygen.
   III. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) I and II
   • (b) II only
   • (c) I and III
   • (d) None of the above statements is correct
   Correct Answer: (B) II only
2. [2023] Consider the following statements
   Statement-I:
   The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.
   Statement-II:
   The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
   • (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
   • (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
   • (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   • (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
   Correct Answer: (D) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
3. [2021] Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome, and as a result, the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes rooted on the upper branches of trees. This is the most likely description of:
   • (a) coniferous forest
   • (b) dry deciduous forest
   • (c) mangrove forest
   • (d) tropical rainforest"
   Correct Answer: (D) tropical rainforest"
4. [2021] The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?
   1. Burrowing animals and termites
   2. Fire
   3. Grazing herbivores
   4. Seasonal rainfall
   5. Soil properties
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   • (a) 1 and 2
   • (b) 4 and 5
   • (c) 2, 3 and 4
   • (d) 1, 3 and 5
   Correct Answer: (C) 2, 3 and 4
5. [2019] Consider the following States:
   1. Chhattisgarh
   2. Madhya Pradesh
   3. Maharashtra
   4. Odisha
   With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?
   • (a) 2-3-1-4
   • (b) 2-3-4-1
   • (c) 3-2-4-1
   • (d) 3-2-1-4
   Correct Answer: (C) 3-2-4-1
6. [2015] Consider the following States :
   (1) Arunachal Pradesh
   (2) Himachal Pradesh
   (3) Mizoram
   In which of the above States do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
7. [2015] Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest?
   • (a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
   • (b) South-West Bengal
   • (c) Southern Saurashtra
   • (d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
   Correct Answer: (D) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
8. [2015] In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?
   • (a) Tropical moist deciduous forest
   • (b) Tropical rain forest
   • (c) Tropical thorn scrub forest
   • (d) Temperate forest with grasslands
   Correct Answer: (A) Tropical moist deciduous forest
9. [2014] If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there?
   1. Oak
   2. Rhododendron
   3. Sandalwood
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 3 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3 only
   Correct Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
10. [2013] 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.
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
11. [2012] Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region?
    • (a) Rainfall throughout the year
    • (b) Rainfall in winter only
    • (c) An extremely short dry season
    • (d) A definite dry and wet season
    Correct Answer: (D) A definite dry and wet season
12. [2010] A geographic area with an altitude of 400 metres has following characteristics shown in table below.
    If this geographic area were to have a natural forest, which one of the following would it most likely be ?
    Month J F M A M J J A S O N D
    Average Maximum Temp. °C 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.9 2.9 3.0 2.1
    Average Minimum Temp. °C 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
    Rainfall (mm) 51 85 1.88 1.58 1.39 1.21 1.34 1.68 1.85 2.21 1.98 86
    • (a) Moist Temperate Coniferous Forest
    • (b) Montane Subtropical Forest
    • (c) Temperate Forest
    • (d) Tropical Rainforest
    Correct Answer: (A) Moist Temperate Coniferous Forest
13. [2003] Which one among the following covers the highest percentage of forest area in the world?
    • (a) Temperate Coniferous forests
    • (b) Temperate Deciduous forests
    • (c) Tropical Monsoon forests
    • (d) Tropical Rain forests
    Correct Answer: (D) Tropical Rain forests