Question

All of these characterize a desert biome except

• A. Most animals are nocturnal
• B. Low annual rainfall
• C. Large amount of organic material in the soil
• D. Leaves of plants are small, thick and covered with a thick cuticle
• E. Mean annual temperatures range from 20-25 ${}^o$ C

Answer 1

The correct option is C Large amount of organic material in the soil

Characteristics of a desert biome are:

1. Specialised plants exist in the desert which can cope with the extreme lack of water. Such plants are small, thick and covered with thick cuticle to prevent water loss. For example, cactus.

2. Nocturnal animals like snake are common.

2. Rainfall is low, less than 30cm/yr.

4. Temperature is greater than 30°C in day and less than 0°C at night i.e. mean temperature ranges about 20-25°C.

Hence, large organic matter in soil is not the characteristic of a desert biome.

So, the correct answer is 'Large amount of organic material in the soil'.