The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are

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Q: (IAS/2021)
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions.
Which of the following are such conditions?
1. Burrowing animals and termites
2. Fire
3. Grazing herbivores
4. Seasonal rainfall
5. Soil properties
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

question_subject: 

Geography

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,106,41,8,8,106,25

keywords: 

{'vegetation': [1, 0, 2, 1], 'grassland': [1, 0, 0, 0], 'forest development': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'soil properties': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'grazing herbivores': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'savannah': [2, 0, 0, 3], 'small trees': [0, 0, 1, 1], 'trees': [1, 0, 0, 0], 'conditions': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'such conditions': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'termites': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'extensive areas': [1, 0, 0, 1], 'seasonal rainfall': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'such areas': [0, 0, 0, 3], 'burrowing animals': [0, 0, 0, 1]}

The correct answer is option 3: "2, 3, and 4". Each of these factors contributes to the overall health and development of the savanna ecosystem.

2. Fire: Fires, both natural and man-made, regularly sweep through savannas, burning grasses and preventing the establishment and growth of trees.

3. Grazing Herbivores: Herbivores such as elephants, zebras, and gazelles, by eating the young shoots and leaves, prevent the establishment of a dense tree layer.

4. Seasonal Rainfall: Savannas have a wet-dry cycle. During the dry season, lack of water hampers tree growth, and trees that do grow cannot establish a large canopy.

Option 1 and 5 in option 4, i.e., "Burrowing animals and termites" and "Soil properties" respectively, are important ecosystem elements and contribute to overall structure and health, but they do not necessarily limit tree growth directly. Hence, only factors 2, 3 and 4 from option 3 have been chosen in the correct answer.

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