Question

Thorny bushes are found in _________.
a.Semi-arid areas
b.Moderate climate areas
c.Cold polar climate areas
d.All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The world is divided into 6 climatic zones each having their specific vegetation. The climate, vegetation and wildlife of the world are all inter-related.

Complete answer:
Temperature and humidity are the primary components which distinguish the character and extent of vegetation.
Earth has three major climate zones—tropical, temperate, and polar. These zones can be further split into smaller zones, each with its particular climate. A region's climate, jointly with its physical factors, specifies its plant and animal life.

Looking at the above options:
Option a: Small plants, usually grasses, shrubs and small trees lead the topography of semi-arid regions. These areas are marked by scanty rainfall and extremes of climate.
Certain plants in semi-arid regions may have some of the same modifications as desert plants, such as thorny branches or waxy cuticles to decrease evaporation rate and water loss through their leaves. Hence, this is the correct option.

Option b: Moderate climatic areas are found in the middle latitudes. The climate in this area has moderate rainfall, temperatures that barely fall below freezing, and diversified vegetation comprises deciduous trees, shrubs, low bushes and a variety of grasses. This is an incorrect option.

Option c: Polar areas have a wide source of vegetation but there are few species in mutual in the southern and northern polar areas. The Arctic consists of desert and tundra vegetation. The desert vegetation comprises algae, lichens, and mosses. This is an incorrect option.

Option 'a' is correct.

Note: Vegetation covers a significant fraction of the earth and affects weather and climate. Vegetation affects both albedo of the earth and the amount of water vapour and carbon dioxide in the air. E.g. an area with high temperature and high humidity aids evergreen forest, while an area with high temperature and low humidity aids thorny bushes.