The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Subtropical Steppe (BSh) is a semi-arid climate found in the transition zone between the hot deserts (BWh) and the more humid climates of the subtropics. It is characterized by high evaporation and low, unreliable precipitation.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The steppe climate is defined as semi-arid, meaning it receives more rainfall than the arid desert climate but less than humid climates. While deserts typically receive less than 25 cm of annual rainfall, steppes generally receive between 25 cm and 50 cm (or slightly more depending on temperature), which marks the transition from total aridity.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The rainfall in a steppe climate is insufficient to support dense forests. The moisture levels are only adequate for the growth of grasslands (short or tall grasses depending on the specific rainfall) and scattered, drought-resistant shrubs. Dense forests require significantly higher and more consistent precipitation.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Rainfall variability has a more critical impact on life in the steppe than in the desert. In deserts, precipitation is consistently negligible, so life and agriculture are not planned around rainfall (except in oases). In the steppe, rainfall is marginal-just enough to support pasture or dry farming. A slight negative deviation can lead to severe drought, famine, or desertification, while a positive deviation allows for bountiful harvests. This precarious dependence makes the variability of rainfall the defining hazard of life in the steppe.
Key Takeaway:
The Subtropical Steppe (BSh) is a semi-arid transition zone characterized by grasslands rather than forests. Life in this region is highly vulnerable to rainfall variability, as the moisture supply is marginal and unreliable compared to the consistently arid desert.