Xerophytes represent the class of vegetation found in—

Xerophytes are plants specifically adapted to survive in environments with limited water availability, such as arid and semi-arid regions. According to the Koppen climate classification, Group B climates (dry, arid, and semi-arid) are characterized by xerophytic vegetation. These plants exhibit specialized features like succulent stems for water storage, thick small leaves to minimize evaporation, and long roots to reach deep moisture [4]. While the predominant vegetation for both hot and mid-latitude deserts is xerophytic scrub [3], semi-arid steppes represent a transitional zone where such drought-resistant vegetation thrives [2]. In contrast, tropical rain forests (Group A) feature mega-thermal vegetation, and tundra regions (Group E) are dominated by mosses and lichens. Therefore, xerophytes are the characteristic vegetation class for semi-arid steppes due to the moisture deficit and high potential evapotranspiration typical of these biomes.

Sources

1. [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Table 3.1 (Contd.) > p. 21
2. [3] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 18: The Hot Desert and Mid-Latitude Desert Climate > Natural Vegetation > p. 175
3. [2] CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife > The Thorn Forests and Scrubs > p. 42