Question 91 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Geography

Question

In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Tropical moist deciduous forest

Strategy: Identify the association of teak with specific forest types. Teak is well-known for its dominance in moist deciduous forests, which get moderate rainfall—neither too much (as in rainforests) nor too little (as in thorn forests). Other options either have too little or too much rainfall, or are at higher elevations unsuitable for teak.

Key Info: **Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests**

- **Characteristics**: These forests receive moderate to high rainfall (100-200 cm annually) and are found extensively in the Indian peninsula, including the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, parts of Odisha, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and the Himalayan foothills.
- **Key Species**: Teak (Tectona grandis) is the most prominent tree species. Other common species include sal (Shorea robusta), shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), and mahua (Madhuca longifolia).
- **Ecological Distinction**: Unlike tropical rainforests, moist deciduous forests shed leaves during the dry season. Teak is generally absent in tropical rain forests (which have heavy rainfall and evergreen species), thorn scrub forests (arid environments with scanty rainfall), and temperate grassland forests (found at higher altitudes).

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Tropical rain forest

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Tropical thorn scrub forest

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Temperate forest with grasslands