Practice question

Trans-Himalayan biogeographic zone occupies rain-shadow areas north of Great Himalaya, including Ladakh plateau which is high-altitude cold desert, Lahaul-Spiti valleys of Himachal Pradesh, and northern Sikkim and Uttarakhand pockets. Extremely arid, average temperature below freezing many months, sparse vegetation of Caragana scrub, cushion herbs. Biotically Tibetan affinity with Palaearctic realm. Zone includes famous high lakes Tso Moriri, Pangong, and supports black-necked crane breeding, Tibetan wild ass, snow leopard, making it ecologically distinct from Himalayan proper. Examinations emphasize this concept because it underpins correct interpretation of phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary systematics.