Question
Biology Question on Environmental pollution
In which one of the following habitats does the diurnal temperature of soil surface vary most ?
A
Forest
B
Desert
C
Grassland
D
Shrub land
Answer
Desert
Explanation
Solution
In desert ecosystems, there is limited vegetation, and the soil consists of sandy terrain. The absence of plant cover means that the soil is exposed to the atmosphere. During the daytime, the sand heats up quickly when exposed to sunlight, and at night, after sunset, it cools down rapidly, releasing heat rapidly. As a result, the daily temperature fluctuations at the surface of the soil are quite extreme in desert regions. This significant temperature variation is one of the factors contributing to the lack of abundant plant life and animal populations in desert environments.