Question

Suppose that the number of bird species is determined mainly by the number of vertical strata found in the environment. If so, in which of the following biomes would you find the greatest number of bird species?

(A) tropical rain forest

(B) savanna

(C) desert

(D) temperate broadleaf forest

Short answer

1. The option “tropical rain forest” is true.
2. The option “savanna” is false.
3. The option “desert” is false.
4. The option “temperate broadleaf forest” is false.

Step-by-step solution

Bird

Birds are egg-laying feathered vertebrates mostly located in terrestrial habitats, which provide insect control, seed dispersal, and plant pollination. Some physical characteristics of birds are a four-chambered heart, endothermic metabolism, beak, no teeth, and feathers.

Explanation of option ‘(A)’

A tropical rainforest is the moist broadleaf forest found near the equator, which helps to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and releases oxygen for stabilizing the earth’s climate.

Thus, the tropical rain forest is home to two-thirds of plants’ diversity. The number of trees with their different heights layer an ecosystem to form vertical strata.

Therefore, the given option is true.

Explanation of option ‘(B)’ 

A savanna is a grassland ecosystem that grows under hot and dry climates. Trees in this ecosystem do not overlap due to more spacing in a mixed woodland.

Thus, the savanna has limited trees species for vertical strata in the environment.

Therefore, the given option is false.

Explanation of option ‘(C)’

The region of arid land (extremely dry land) that receives less rainfall per year and supports scattered vegetation is called a desert.

Thus, vertical stratification is not possible due to the fewer number of tree species in the desert.

Therefore, the given option is false.

Explanation of option ‘(D)’

A temperate broadleaf forest is a forest that is dominated by evergreen vegetation that grows in warm, cold, and rainy climates.

Thus, temperate broadleaf forests have significant plant species but not like temperate rainforests for vertical stratification.

Therefore, the given option is false.