Indian Biodiversity — Ecology & Environment

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Indian Biodiversity

3 questions

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Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2012

Neem is a

A. Tropical Wet Evergreen Tree

B. Tropical Moist Deciduous Tree

C. Tropical Dry Deciduous Tree

D. Tropical Dry Evergreen Tree

Explanation

Why Correct: Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tropical dry deciduous tree that sheds leaves during the dry season to conserve water.
Distractor Analysis: Tropical wet evergreen trees retain leaves year-round in high-rainfall areas like rainforests. Tropical moist deciduous trees shed leaves briefly in moderate-dry seasons. Tropical dry evergreen trees are rare adaptations to arid conditions with small, leathery leaves.
Takeaway: Tropical dry deciduous forests dominate central India's Deccan Plateau and experience 6-8 dry months annually.

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Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2007

There are floristic regions in India.

A. 4

B. 6

C. 8

D. 7

Explanation

Why Correct: India has 8 distinct floristic regions based on vegetation types and phytogeography: Western Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas, Assam, Indus Plain, Ganga Plain, Deccan, Malabar, and Andaman Islands.
Distractor Analysis: 4 regions would be too few for India's diverse vegetation. 6 regions would omit important zones like the Andaman Islands or Malabar. 7 regions would miss one of the eight recognized phytogeographic divisions.
Takeaway: The Western Ghats, part of the Malabar region, is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots with over 7,400 plant species, many endemic.

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Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2000

Per capita availability of forest land is highest in

A. Madhya Pradesh

B. Assam

C. Jammu & Kashmir

D. Sikkim

Explanation

Why Correct: Sikkim consistently reports the highest per capita forest area among Indian states, with approximately 0.8-0.9 hectares per person, due to extensive forest cover exceeding 47% of its area and a small population under 700,000.
Distractor Analysis: Madhya Pradesh has the largest total forest area but a population over 80 million reduces per capita availability to about 0.2 hectares. Assam has forest cover around 35% but high population density yields per capita figures below 0.2 hectares. Jammu & Kashmir has substantial forest resources but per capita availability remains lower than Sikkim's despite recent demographic changes.
Takeaway: Arunachal Pradesh typically ranks second in per capita forest area, while densely populated states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have the lowest figures, often below 0.05 hectares per person.

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