Q78 · UPSC Prelims 2015 · Set A · Geography

← Q77 Q79 →

In India, inwhich 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

Explanation

  1. A

    Tropical moist deciduous forest

    Teak (Tectona grandis) is the characteristic dominant of tropical moist deciduous forests in India, as in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This option is the official key.

  2. B

    Tropical rain forest

    Tropical rain forests (wet evergreen) are dominated by dipterocarps and dense evergreen canopies, not by teak as the leading species. This option is not the key.

  3. C

    Tropical thorn scrub forest

    Tropical thorn scrub has acacias, euphorbias and hardy shrubs; teak is not dominant there. This option is therefore wrong.

  4. D

    Temperate forest with grasslands

    Temperate forests with grasslands (Himalayan or high-altitude) do not carry teak, a tropical species. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (a) Tropical moist deciduous forest. Teak sheds leaves in the dry season and occupies the moist deciduous belt of peninsular India. Wet evergreen, thorn scrub and temperate types have other dominants. Forest-type questions pair teak with moist deciduous, sal with dry/moist deciduous of the north, and dipterocarps with wet evergreen. Only (a) is correct.