UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 68: Environment and Ecology
Which one among the following covers the highest percentage of forest area in the world?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
The key credits the coniferous forest (the taiga or boreal belt across Canada, Scandinavia and Russia) with the largest share of forest area as a single forest type. The belt spans much of the northern continents, making it the world's largest forest biome. Tropical rain forests are the richest in species but cover a smaller area. Remember: largest by area is taiga, richest in biodiversity is rain forest.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct, per the key: the coniferous (taiga) belt of the northern continents.
- (b) Temperate deciduous forests cover far less area than the coniferous belt.
- (c) Tropical monsoon forests form a smaller type.
- (d) Tropical rain forests are the richest in species, but they cover less area than the taiga.
Worth knowing: The taiga is strictly boreal rather than temperate, and by FAO's climate-domain count tropical forests taken together are the largest, so the wording is loose.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.