Here is Question No. 11 a part of our series on UPSC Prelims 2021.
Q11. The vegetation of the 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?
Burrowing animals and termites
Fire
Grazing herbivores
Seasonal rainfall
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
Answer – C
Statement 1 is incorrect: The savanna landscape is typified by tall grass and short trees. Here it depends on grazing intensity and not the burrowing animals or termites. The savanna is the home of wild animals. Usually, there are two main groups of animals in the savanna – the grass-eating herbivorous animals (giraffes, dear, elephants) and the flesh-eating carnivorous animals (lion, tiger, leopard, Panther). There are hardly any burrowing animals or termites.
Statement 2 is correct: Bush fires are common in Savannah because of the alternate wet and dry seasons which can modify the forest.
Statement 3 is correct: Due to the presence of a large number of grass-eating herbivorous animals, grazing intensity is a major reason for the type of Savanna; so grazing herbivores do contribute to keeping a check on forests.
Statement 4 is correct: Sudan’s type of climate is characterized by the alternate hot rainy season and cool dry season. Hence drought due to theseasonal nature of rainfall contributes to keeping the forests in check.
