Correct Option
The correct option is (d).
Explanation
The growth of natural vegetation is primarily determined by temperature and moisture. Major vegetation zones-forests, grasslands, scrubs, and tundra-are distributed globally based on the intensity of rainfall and prevailing temperatures.
Option Analysis
- (a) Forests : Abundant water supply - Correct Match. Forests generally grow in areas where temperature and rainfall are plentiful to support a dense cover of trees.
- (b) Grasslands : Moderate rainfall - Correct Match. Grasslands develop in regions where rainfall is moderate-sufficient to support grass cover but insufficient for the growth of large trees.
- (c) Thorny shrubs : Dry areas - Correct Match. Thorny shrubs and scrubs grow in dry (arid and semi-arid) regions. The plants have adaptations such as thorns and waxy surfaces to reduce moisture loss through transpiration.
- (d) Tundra : High rainfall and high temperature - Incorrect Match. Tundra vegetation is found in polar regions and high altitudes characterized by extremely cold climates and very limited precipitation. High rainfall and high temperature are characteristics of Tropical Evergreen Forests, not Tundra.
Key Takeaway: Vegetation types are strictly stratified by precipitation and temperature: Forests require heavy rainfall, grasslands require moderate rainfall, thorny shrubs require dry conditions, and Tundra is restricted to cold, low-precipitation polar regions.