Which of the following type of ecosystem is expected in an area where evaporation exceeds precipitation, and mean annual rainfall is below 100mm:

Options

A. Grassland
B. Shrubby forest
C. Desert
D. mangrove

Explanation

To determine the type of ecosystem expected in an area where evaporation exceeds precipitation and the mean annual rainfall is below 100 mm, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Conditions
- The question specifies that evaporation exceeds precipitation. This means that the amount of water lost through evaporation is greater than the amount of water received through precipitation (rainfall or snowfall).
- The mean annual rainfall is below 100 mm, indicating a very dry environment.

### Step 2: Identify Ecosystem Characteristics
- In ecosystems where evaporation is high and precipitation is low, the environment tends to be arid.
- Such conditions are typically found in deserts, where the climate is characterized by extreme dryness and high temperatures.

### Step 3: Analyze the Options
- **Grassland**: Generally has moderate rainfall and is not characterized by extreme aridity.
- **Shrubby Forest**: Typically found in areas with more rainfall than deserts.
- **Desert**: Fits the criteria of low rainfall and high evaporation.
- **Mangrove**: Found in coastal areas with high salinity and significant rainfall, not in arid conditions.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Given the conditions of high evaporation and low precipitation, the ecosystem that is expected in this scenario is the **desert**.

### Final Answer
The correct answer is **C: Desert**.

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