NATURAL
VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE
Natural vegetation : Natural vegetation refers to a plant community
which has grown naturally with out human aid and has been undisturbed by humans
for a long time .This is also termed as virgin vegetation .
Flora : The term flora is used t denote plants of a
particular region of period .
There are about 47 ,000 plant species and 15,
000 flowering plants .
Non-flowering plants includes algae, fungi and
fern.
Fauna : The species of animals are refered to as fauna .
There are more than 90,000 animal species .
The country has more than 1200 species of birds and 2500 species of fish
.
There are mammals , reptiles and amphibians also.
Factors responsible
for the distribution of plants and animals in India are the following :
(Factors responsible
for such huge bio -diversity )
-
Relief –Land and soil
-
Climate –Temperature
, sunlight and precipitation
Land :
-
Land affects the
natural vegetation directly and indirectly .
-
The nature of land
influences the type of vegetation .
-
Different type of
vegetation occurs in mountains , plateau and plain areas .
Soil :
-
Different types of
soils provide basis for different types of vegetation .
-
For eg Sandy soils
support cactus , and thorny bushes while wet and marshy , deltaic soils support
mangroves.
Temperature :
-
The character and the
extent of vegetation are mainly determined by temperature along with humidity
in the air ,precipitation and soil.
-
On the slopes of
Himalayas and the hills of peninsula , the fall in the temperature affects the
types of vegetation and its growth .
Sunlight:
-
The variation in
duration of sunlight at different places are due to –difference in latitude and
altitude, season and duration of the day
-
Due to longer
duration of sunlight , tree grow faster.
Precipitation :
-
Areas of heavy rainfall
have more dense vegetation as compared to other areas of less
Rainfall.
Why are the southern
slopes in Himalayan region covered with thick vegetation cover as compared to
the northern slopes of the same hills?
Southern slopes in
Himalayan regions are covered with thick vegetation cover because southern
slopes get sufficient rainfall and the temperature is also favourable for the
growth of thick vegetation .The temperature and the rainfall decreases with
increase in the altitude , therefore the northern slopes have less vegetation
cover .
Why are the western
slopes of the western Ghats covered with thick forests and not the eastern
slopes ?
The western slopes of
western ghats get heavy rain fall of more than 200 cm and the region is warm
and wet throughout the year . It has luxuriant growth of forests .The eastern
slopes are on the leeward side of the western ghats in the rain shadow region.
Rainfall is low on the eastern slopes resulting in less growth of trees.
Why are forests
important for human beings?
-Forests are
renewable resources and it enhances the quality of environment .
-They modify the
local climate
-Control soil erosion
-Regulate stream flow
-support a variety of
industries
-Provide livelihood
for many communities
-It controls wind
force and temperature and causes rainfall
-It provides humus to
the soil
-Provides shelter to
wild life .
Biomes :
A very large
ecosystem on land having distinct types of vegetation and animal life is called
a biome .For eg : Forests , Savanna , Grassland .
Name the major
vegetation types of India :
The major types of
vegetation in our country are the following :
Tropical rain forest
Tropical deciduous
forests
Tropical thorn and
scrub forests
Montane forests
Mangrove Forests
TROPICAL RAINFOREST
Tropical rainforests
are:
- Found in the rainy parts of
India,i.e., the western ghats and the island groups of
Lakshadweep and
the Andaman and Nicobar island
,upper parts of Assam and TamilNadu
- These types of forest grow mostly in
areas that receive more than 200cm of rainfall
and
experience a short dry season.
- In these forest trees grow to a
height of 60mts or even above.
- As
the region is warm and wet through out the year a variety of luxuriant growth
of vegetation. This vegetation includes
trees, shrubs ,and creepers. They give the forest a multi-layered appearance.
- There is no particular time for the
trees to shed their leaves so these forest are green in
appearence
the whole year round.
- Ebony,
mahagony and rosewood are some of the commercially important trees of this
forest.
- The
common animals found in these forests are monkeys,elephants,deer, a great
variety of birds and one-horned
rhinoceroses(found in the jungles of Assam and West Bengal).
TROPICAL DECIDUOUS FORESTS
- The
most widespread forests in India are the tropical deciduous forest.
- They are also known as the monsoon
forest
- These forests are spread over a
region that receives rainfall between 200cm and 70cm.
- For about six to eight weeks in
summer, the trees of monsoon forest shed their leaves.
as each tree has its
own time of sheding leaves, these forest never appear barren at any particular
time of the year.
- On the basis of the availability of
water these forests are divided into :
a) MOIST
DECIDUOUS FOREST
- located in areas that receive 200cm to 100cm rainfall.
- They are found in :-
Eastern
slopes of western ghats
West orissa
Chhattisgarh
Jharkhand
Northeastern
states
The Himalayan foothills
- Teak is the most important and
promenint species of these forests.
- Other commercially important species
are khair,shisham,bamboo and sandalwood.
b)
DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST
- Located
in areas that receive 100cm to 70cm rainfall
- These
forest are found in :
Rainer parts of the peninsular plateau
plains
of Bihar
Plain of uttar Pradesh.
- Teak
, sal , peepal , Neem are the common species found here.
-
Most of these forest region has now been cleared for cultivation and grazing.
- The common animals found are
lion,tiger,pig,deer,elephant, a huge variety of birds,lizards snakes tortoise,insects and worms.
THE THORN FOREST AND SCRUBS
- Thorny
trees and bushes comprise the thorn forest and scrubs of India.
- These
forests are found mainly in northwestern parts of India.
semi-arid
areas of Gujarat
semi-arid
and arid areas of Rajastan
semi-arid
areas of Madhya Pradesh,and Haryana.
- The
main plant species of these forests are cacti, acacias , euphorbias and palms.
- The scattered trees of this type of
forest possess long,penetrating roots that reach deep into the soil.These roots
tend to spread out in a radial pattern.They spread this way to reach for water.
- Leaves
of trees in the thorn forests are tiny in order to have minimum evaporation.
- The
common animals are rats,mice,rabbits,fox,wolf,tiger,lion,goats,horses and
camels.
MONTANE FORESTS
- In mountainous areas , the decrease in
temperature and increasing altitude leads to the corresponding change in
natural vegetation .
- Tropical deciduous forests at the
Himalayan foothills.
- Then
comes the wet type of forests at a height of 1000 to 2000mts.The broad-leaf
trees of evergreen variety are found in the wet temperature forest.
- Temperate forest at a height of 1500
to3000mts are full of coniferous trees that include:
Cedar, spruce ,
deodar, and silver fir .These forests cover mostly the southern slopes of
Himalayas .
- At even higher altitudes the
temperate grasslands become a common occurrence.
- Temperate forests and grasslands
gradually decrease at 3600mts height.
- 3600mts above sea level the alpine
vegetation flourishes.
- Alpine vegetation may include:
birches , pines , junipers and silver fir.
- The
growth of trees becomes stunted as they near the snowline.After this gradual
change the shrubs and scrubs merge into the alpine grasslands .
- The
alpine grasslands are more frequented by nomadic tribes like the Bakarwals and
Gujjars.
- As one goes higher,tundra vegetation
is found which includes lichens and
mosses.
- Common animals are snow leopard and
yak etc
MANGROVE
OR TIDAL FORESTS
- They are the most important forests
found in areas where coasts are affected by tides.
- They accumulate mud and silt.
- Dense mangrove are the common
varieties with their roots submerged in water.
- The delta of Ganga,mahanadi,Kashmir,kaveri
are covered by such forests.
- These forests provide durable and
solid timber.
- Palm,coconut,cocoa,pines are also
found in some deltas.
- Royal Bengal tiger is the famous
animal of these forests.
- Turtles,crocodile,gharials
and snakes are also found.
Give a brief account of distribution of wild life in
India
-
India is rich in its
fauna .It has more than 89,000 of animal species .The country has
more than 1200
species of birds.They constitute 13% of the world’s total .There are 2500
species of fish .
-
The elephants are
found in the hot wet forests of Assam , Karnataka and Kerala.
-
The one horned
rhinoceros live in swampy and marshy lands of Assam and West Bengal .
-
The Rann of Kachch
and Thar deserts are the habitat for wild ass and camels .
-
Indian Bison , Nigai
, Chousingha ,Gazel and different species of deer are some other animals found
in India .
-
India is the only
country in the world that has both tigers and lions .
-
The natural habitat
of the Indian Lion is the Gir forest on Gujarat .
-
The tigers are found
in the forests of M.P , the Sundarbans of WestBengal and the Himalayan region .
-
The Himalayas harbor
a wide range of animals like the Bharal , Wild sheep , the Kiang , the Ibex and
the red Panda .
-
In the rivers ,lakes
and coastal areas –Turtle , crocodile and gharials are found .
-
Birds like Peacocks ,
Peasants ducks , parakeets , cranes and pigeons are some
Of the birds
inhabiting in the forests and wet lands of the country .
Mention the steps
taken by the government to protect the flora and fauna
-
Fourteen biosphere
reserves have been set up to protect flora and fauna .Of the se four have been
included in the world network of Biosphere reserves.
Sundarbans in West
Bengal
Nanda Devi in
Uttaranchal
The Gulf of Mannar in
Tamil Nadu
The Nilgiris
-
Financial and
technical assistance is proved to the botanical gardens by the government since
1992.
-
Project Tiger ,
Project Rhino , Project Great Indian Bustard have been introduced to protect
the endanged species .
-
89 National parks ,
490 wild life sanctuaries and zoological gardens are set up to take care of
natural heritage .
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. Describe the five measures taken by the
government to conserve our wildlife and varied fauna.
a. Various biosphere reserves have been set
up in the country to protect flora and fauna. Nilgiri( Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu), Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand are
some such biosprere reserves.
b. Financial and technical assistance is
provided to many Botanical Gardens by the government since 1992.
c. Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project
Great Indian Bustard and many other eco-developmental projects have been
introduced.
d. Various National Parks, Wildlife
Sanctuaries and Zoological gardens are set up to take care of Natural heritage.
e. Exploiting the wildlife has become a
punishable offence and special forest officials have been appointed to catch
unlawful animal hunters.
2. Suggest five measures to conserve
forests.
a. Planting fast growing trees and
preventing the felling of young trees.
b. Preventing forest fires.
c. Create public awareness about the
importance of forests.
d. We must celebrate Vanamahotsava and plant
trees in areas which are not suitable for agriculture.
e. All National Day celebration programmes
should follow a programme of tree plantation.
3. Explain
the main reasons for deforestation in five points.
a. With the increase in population, there is
increasing demand for forest products.
b. Several forests have been cleared for
agriculture.
c. Intensive damage of forests as a result
of shifting cultivation, especially in North-eastern parts of the country.
d. Overgrazing and cutting trees for fuel.
e. Due to urbanization, forests have been
cleared for the construction of roads and railways.
4. Name the vegetation found at high
altitude in our country and mention animals that are found in this region.
( Explain montane forests)
5. Why are evergreen forests found in
Western slopes of Western Ghats?
a. Warm and wet climatic conditions
b. Rainfall is above 200cm.
6. Why has India’s natural vegetation
undergone many changes?
a. Growing demand of cultivation require
more land for which forests are cleared.
b. Development of industries
require more transportation, raw materials for which forests are cut
down.
c. Mining -In order to extract minerals,
forests are cleared.
d. Increasing urbanization and increasing
population.
e. Overgrazing of pastures.
7. What is a Biosphere Reserve? Why has
Bio-reserves been set up in a country? Name any two bio-reserves along with the
states where they are situated.
a. A protected area reserved for the
conservation of endangered species of flora and fauna in their natural habitat
is bio-reserve. (These areas were
created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) under a program called Man and the Biosphere (MAB) in
1968.)
There are three main parts to a
Bio-reserve.
b. The first part is called the core zone,
which is strongly protected for the conservation of biological diversity — to
make sure that different types of plants and animals are safe from human
impact. Thus the endangered species of flora and fauna are protected.
c. The second part is called a buffer zone,
and surrounds the core zones and provide a space for environmental research,
recreation, and tourism.
d. The last part is called a transition
zone, and this area is for local communities that have a hand in managing the
resources of the area through farming, fisheries, and other non-governmental
activities.
i.
Sunderbans -
West Bengal
ii.
Gulf of Mannar - Tamil
Nadu
iii.
Nanda Devi -
Uttarakhand
iv.
Nilgiri -
Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
v.
Dehang Debang -
Arunachal Pradesh
vi.
Pachmari -
Madhya Pradesh
vii.
Simlipal -
Orissa
viii.
Achanakamar- Amarkantak – Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
ix.
Manas -
Assam
x.
Kanchanjunga - Sikkim
xi.
Agastyamalai -
Kerala
xii.
Great Nicobar -
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
xiii.
Nokrek -
Meghalaya
xiv.
Dibru Saikhowa - Assam
8. What is a National Park? Give two
examples.
a. National parks are large areas of public
land set aside for native plants, animals and the places in which they live.
b. National parks protect places of natural
beauty.
c. Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand , Gir in
Gujarat.
9. Where in India do flamingos migrate to
nest in large numbers?
Rann of Kuchch
10. The Elephants are found in the hot-wet
forests of Assam, Karnataka and Kerala.
11. One-horned rhinoceroses live in swampy and marshy lands of Assam
and West Bengal.
12. Wild life protection act was implemented
in 1972 in India.
13. Natural habitat of Indian Lion – Gir
forest in Gujarat
14. A very large ecosystem on land having
distinct types of vegetation and animal life – Biome
15. Silver fir is found in Montane forest.
(Read the lesson thoroughly)
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