Ch - Natural vegetation and Wildlife
Natural vegetation refers to a plant community, which has grown
naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by
humans for a long time. This is termed as virgin vegetation.
The term flora is used to denote plants of a particular region or
period. The species of animals are referred to as fauna. This huge
diversity in flora and fauna kingdom is due to the following
factors:
1) Relief
Land
Land affects natural vegetation directly and indirectly.
• The fertile level is generally devoted to agriculture.
• The undulating and rough terrains are areas where
grassland and woodlands develop and give shelter to a
variety of wildlife
Soil
Different types of soils provide a basis for different types of
vegetation.
• The sandy soils of the desert support cactus and thorny
bushes, while wet, marshy, deltaic soils support mangroves
and deltaic vegetation.
• The soil at the hill slopes has conical trees.
2) Climate
Temperature
The character and extent of vegetation are mainly determined by
temperature along with humidity in the air, precipitation and soil.
The fall in the temperature affects the vegetation and its growth.
, Photoperiod (Sunlight)
The variation in the duration of sunlight at different places is due
to differences in latitude, altitude, season and duration of the day.
Due to the longer duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in
summer.
Precipitation
Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation as compared
to areas of less rainfall.
Types of Vegetation
In India, the following major types of vegetation are found:
1. Tropical Evergreen Forests
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests
3. Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs
4. Montane Forests
5. Mangrove Forests
Let’s study them in detail.
Tropical Evergreen Forests
These forests are present in the Western Ghats and the island
groups of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, upper parts of
Assam and Tamil Nadu coast.
1. These forests grow best in areas having rainfall more than
200 cm with a short dry season.
2. The trees reach great heights up to 60 metres or even above.
3. It has the vegetation of all kinds i.e trees, shrubs and creepers
giving it a multilayered structure.
4. These forests appear green all the year-round.
5. Important trees of this forest are ebony, mahogany,
rosewood, rubber and cinchona.
Natural vegetation refers to a plant community, which has grown
naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by
humans for a long time. This is termed as virgin vegetation.
The term flora is used to denote plants of a particular region or
period. The species of animals are referred to as fauna. This huge
diversity in flora and fauna kingdom is due to the following
factors:
1) Relief
Land
Land affects natural vegetation directly and indirectly.
• The fertile level is generally devoted to agriculture.
• The undulating and rough terrains are areas where
grassland and woodlands develop and give shelter to a
variety of wildlife
Soil
Different types of soils provide a basis for different types of
vegetation.
• The sandy soils of the desert support cactus and thorny
bushes, while wet, marshy, deltaic soils support mangroves
and deltaic vegetation.
• The soil at the hill slopes has conical trees.
2) Climate
Temperature
The character and extent of vegetation are mainly determined by
temperature along with humidity in the air, precipitation and soil.
The fall in the temperature affects the vegetation and its growth.
, Photoperiod (Sunlight)
The variation in the duration of sunlight at different places is due
to differences in latitude, altitude, season and duration of the day.
Due to the longer duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in
summer.
Precipitation
Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation as compared
to areas of less rainfall.
Types of Vegetation
In India, the following major types of vegetation are found:
1. Tropical Evergreen Forests
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests
3. Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs
4. Montane Forests
5. Mangrove Forests
Let’s study them in detail.
Tropical Evergreen Forests
These forests are present in the Western Ghats and the island
groups of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, upper parts of
Assam and Tamil Nadu coast.
1. These forests grow best in areas having rainfall more than
200 cm with a short dry season.
2. The trees reach great heights up to 60 metres or even above.
3. It has the vegetation of all kinds i.e trees, shrubs and creepers
giving it a multilayered structure.
4. These forests appear green all the year-round.
5. Important trees of this forest are ebony, mahogany,
rosewood, rubber and cinchona.
