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.
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Answer: C. The key accepts fire, grazing herbivores and seasonal rainfall as the main checks on tree growth in savannahs. Regular fires kill young trees, grazers eat seedlings, and a long dry season limits tree cover. So 2, 3 and 4.
Watch for: Fire is the key factor; any option without fire is unlikely.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because it leaves out grazing and seasonal rainfall.
- B. Wrong because it leaves out fire, the main factor.
- D. Wrong because it leaves out fire and seasonal rainfall.
Source to check: NCERT Class 11, Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Chapter 15 Life on the Earth; FAO/ecology texts on savannah ecosystems
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.