Question

Assertion (A): The Himalayan ranges show change in vegetation from tropical to Tundra.
Reason (R) : In mountainous areas with increase in altitude there is corresponding decrease in temperature, which leads to change in vegetation types.
Select the correct option from the given alternatives.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) does not explain (A)
C. (A) is true and (R) is false
D. (A) is false and (R) is true

Answer 1

Hint: The Himalayas in Asia are the mountain ranges that differentiates the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. It has many of Earth's highest peaks, including the highest, Mount Everest, at the border between Nepal and China. Himalayas is based in the Alpine Biome. The Alpine Biome is generally cold with plains enclosed in snow which covers about $16\%$ of the world along with the Arctic biome.


Complete Answer:
- The texture and significance of vegetation are mainly deduced by temperature along with the humidity in the air, precipitation and soil.
- On the slopes of Himalayas and the hills of Peninsula above the height of 915 metres.
- The fall in the temperature impacts the types of vegetation and its development, and alters it from tropical to subtropical temperature.
- Therefore, in the mountainous region with the increase in altitude there is corresponding drop in temperature, which directs to alter in vegetation types. 
Hence, both assertion and reason is correct.
The correct option is, ‘A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A)’.

Note:
- The Himalayas are the most recent landforms of India. They are the young fold mountains.
- The Himalayas are the most defensive barrier of our country as it avoids the cold winds from Tibet from entering our country. If the Himalayas would not have been there, the entire India would have been a cold inhospitable desert.