Question

Which of the following is not a major biome found in the biosphere?

• A. Rainforest
• B. Tundra
• C. Desert
• D. Plateau

Hint:

• A biome is a major ecological community type (e.g., rainforest, desert, tundra, grassland). It is characterized by its climate and dominant plant and animal life.
• A landform is a natural feature of the Earth's surface (e.g., mountain, valley, plateau, plain).
• Rainforest, Tundra, and Desert are all examples of major biomes.
• Plateau is a type of landform, not a biome itself, though biomes can be found on plateaus.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

A biome is a large, naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, characterized by its dominant vegetation and climate. Major biomes of the world include:

• Rainforest (option a): Tropical rainforests (warm, high precipitation, high biodiversity) and temperate rainforests. This is a major biome.
• Tundra (option b): Cold, treeless regions found at high latitudes (Arctic tundra) or high altitudes (alpine tundra), characterized by permafrost. This is a major biome.
• Desert (option c): Arid regions with very low precipitation and sparse vegetation. This is a major biome.
• Other major biomes include: Taiga (Boreal Forest), Temperate Deciduous Forest, Grassland (Savanna, Prairie, Steppe), Chaparral (Mediterranean Scrub), and Aquatic biomes (Freshwater, Marine).

A plateau (option d) is a landform, specifically an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain that is raised significantly above the surrounding area, often with one or more sides with steep slopes. While various biomes can exist on plateaus (e.g., a desert plateau, a grassland plateau), a plateau itself is a geomorphological feature, not a biome defined by its climate and characteristic community of organisms. Therefore, "Plateau" is not a major biome. \[ \boxed{\text{Plateau}} \]