Which of the following types of forests is categorised as a monsoon forest?

Option 4 : Tropical deciduous forest

The Correct Answer is Tropical Deciduous Forest.

• Tropical Deciduous Forest: 
  • Tropical deciduous forests are found in the peninsula with high rainfall and in the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
  • These forests are found in abundance in India.
  • These are also called Monsoon Forests.
  • These forests are found in an area with an annual rainfall of 70cm to 200 cm.

• Thorny bushes:
  • Thorny bushes are found in a hot and dry desert climate with seasonal rainfall averaging 250 to 500 millimeters or less than 50 cm.
  • The bushes shed their leaves seasonally to avoid loss of water.
  • Leaves are modified into spines (thorns) and are small to minimize transpiration.
  • The stems are succulent to conserve water.
  • Thorny forests are found in the semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
  • Acacias, palms, euphorbias, and cacti are the main plants found in these forests.
• Mountain vegetation: These are categories into 2 ranges, 
  • Mountain Vegetation of the Himalayan Ranges:
    • These are very thick forests of lofty trees.
    • Oak and chestnut are the predominant trees of the eastern Himalayan region while chir and pine are in the western part.
    • Sal is an important tree in lower altitudes.
    • Deodar, silver fir, and spruce are predominant trees between the height of 2000 and 3000 meters. These forests are less dense as compared to the forests at lesser elevations.
  • The Mountain Vegetation of Peninsular Plateau:
    • Stretches of open rolling grass plains with undeveloped forests or bushes are found.
    • The wet temperate forests below 1500 meters are less dense than those found above this height.
    • The forests have thick undergrowth, epiphytes, mosses, and ferns.
    • Magnolia, laurel, and elm are common trees.
    • Cinchona and eucalyptus have been introduced from outside the country.
• Tropical rainforest:
  • The tropical rainforest is a hot, moist biome found near Earth's equator.
  • The world's largest tropical rainforests are in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
  • It receives from 60 to 160 inches of precipitation that is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.
  • Tropical rainforests are an important habitat for migratory animals and sustain as much as 50% of the species on Earth, as well as several diverse and unique indigenous cultures.
  • ​They store vast quantities of carbon while producing a significant amount of the world's oxygen.