In global phytogeography, the tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of the Western Ghats share notable floristic and evolutionary affinities with the rainforest flora of which distant global region, reflecting ancient Cretaceous continental proximities?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The flora of the Western Ghats exhibits strong links with Southeast Asian wet forests due to ancient biotic interchange and similar climatic conditions experienced when the Indian plate drifted close to the Asian landmass before collision. Boreal taiga is adapted to cold subarctic climates. Mediterranean macchia features drought-resistant sclerophyllous shrubs. Patagonian steppes are cold arid grasslands. Recognizing these phytogeographic links helps conservation biologists understand tropical forest evolution.