In world biogeography, which of the following natural vegetation regions is an example of tropical grassland?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Savannah

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Natural vegetation regions such as forests, grasslands and deserts are a core topic in physical geography. Among them, tropical grasslands are important because they support unique wildlife and are often associated with safari tourism and seasonal rainfall patterns. This question checks whether the learner can correctly match the name of a grassland region with its climatic type, differentiating between tropical grasslands and temperate grasslands or cold forests in various parts of the world.


Given Data / Assumptions:

    - The question lists four different biome or vegetation names. - The names provided are Savannah, Pampas, Prairies and Taiga. - Only one of these represents tropical grassland conditions. - The others are associated with temperate grasslands or cold forest biomes.


Concept / Approach:
Tropical grasslands occur in low latitude areas where there is a distinct wet and dry season and where grasses dominate but scattered trees may also be present. In Africa, such regions are commonly called savannahs and are home to animals like lions, elephants and giraffes. In contrast, Pampas and Prairies represent temperate grasslands in mid latitude regions of South America and North America, while Taiga refers to the boreal coniferous forest found in high latitudes. The approach is to recall which name is linked to which climate zone and continent.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Identify the continent and climate associated with each term. Savannah is linked mainly to tropical Africa. Step 2: Recognise that Pampas describes grasslands in Argentina and neighbouring countries in temperate South America. Step 3: Remember that Prairies are temperate grasslands of central North America. Step 4: Note that Taiga is the cold, evergreen coniferous forest of Siberia, Canada and similar high latitude regions. Step 5: Only Savannah clearly fits the definition of tropical grassland, so it is the correct answer.


Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative check is to recall typical imagery and examples from textbooks. Tropical grasslands are usually shown with tall grasses, scattered acacia trees and African wildlife, which are all associated with savannah landscapes. Temperate grasslands such as Pampas and Prairies are shown in mid latitude contexts with different crop patterns and ranching, while Taiga is drawn with dense coniferous forests and snow. These mental images confirm that Savannah is the tropical grassland option.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Pampas is a temperate grassland of South America, not a tropical grassland. Prairies are temperate grasslands in North America and also do not match tropical conditions. Taiga is not a grassland at all; it is a cold forest biome dominated by coniferous trees in high latitudes. None of the above is unnecessary because one option, Savannah, correctly represents tropical grassland vegetation.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different grassland names and continents, especially under exam pressure. Pampas and Prairies sound similar and may be wrongly assumed to be tropical. Another pitfall is mixing up Taiga with Tundra or other cold environments, which may cause doubt. The best way to avoid such confusion is to link each term with a mental map of its location and climate zone and to practise matching biomes with the correct temperature and rainfall characteristics.


Final Answer:
The vegetation region that represents tropical grassland is the Savannah biome, mainly found in parts of tropical Africa and some other low latitude regions.

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion