Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Overview
Every place has plants and animals suited to its climate — from the evergreen forests of Kerala to the snow of Ladakh. In this chapter, we will learn about the types of natural vegetation, wildlife, and ways to protect them.
Typed Notes
Vegetation according to rainfall
More water means more lush greenery: 200cm+ rainfall = tropical evergreen forests (green throughout the year — mahogany, ebony, orchids) — Western Ghats, North-East India, Amazon. 70-200cm = tropical deciduous forests (teak, sal, neem — trees shed leaves in summer) — the largest forest type in India. Less than 70cm = thorny shrubs (cactus, babool, khejri) — deserts. Cold mountain regions = temperate forests (pine, deodar, fir). The coldest ground = tundra (mosses, lichens — very small plants).
Grasslands — two types
Grasslands are large open meadows of grass with very few trees. (1) Tropical grasslands — found in hot regions: Africa's Savanna — tall grass, scattered trees, and animals like lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants. (2) Temperate grasslands — found in moderate climates: Prairies of North America (famous for wheat farming), Steppe of Russia, Pampas of Argentina, Veld of South Africa. These have fewer trees and are used more for farming and animal rearing.
Wildlife — a resident of every habitat
Every habitat has its own animals: evergreen forests — monkeys, macaw (colourful parrot), elephants; deciduous forests — tigers, deer, leopards; grasslands — African lions, zebras, kangaroos (Australia); mountains — snow leopard, ibex; tundra — reindeer, polar bear, Arctic fox; oceans — whales, dolphins. India's special animals: Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion (Gir), one-horned rhinoceros (Assam), peacock (national bird).
Conservation — why and how
Why: cutting forests leaves animals homeless, reduces rainfall, and causes soil erosion; poaching makes species disappear (like the cheetah in India); when one species is lost, the entire food chain is disturbed. How: (1) Biosphere Reserves — large areas where research and protection go together: India has 18 — Nilgiri (the first), Nanda Devi, Sundarbans, Gulf of Mannar; (2) National Parks — Jim Corbett (the oldest), Kaziranga; (3) Wildlife Sanctuaries — smaller areas meant for specific animals; (4) Project Tiger (1973). Rules: ban on deforestation and hunting, plant more trees.
Key Concepts
Revision ke liye ek nazar — exam se pehle yahi padhna hai.
- 01Natural vegetation = plants that grow without human interference. Types depend on rainfall and temperature: forests (high rainfall), grasslands (medium rainfall), thorny shrubs and tundra (low rainfall or extreme cold).
- 02Forests: (1) Tropical evergreen — 200cm+ rainfall, green throughout the year (Western Ghats, Amazon); (2) Tropical deciduous — 70-200cm rainfall, trees shed their leaves (teak, sal — most of India's forests); (3) Temperate — cold regions (pine, deodar).
- 03Grasslands: Tropical — savanna (Africa — zebra, giraffe); Temperate — prairies (North America), steppe (Russia). Thorny shrubs — deserts (cactus). Tundra — frozen ground (mosses, lichens, reindeer).
- 04Wildlife: each habitat has its own — forests (tiger, elephant, monkey), grasslands (lion, zebra), oceans (fish, whale), tundra (reindeer, polar bear).
- 05Conservation: Biosphere Reserves (18 in India — Nilgiri was the first, Nanda Devi, Sundarbans), National Parks (Jim Corbett), Wildlife Sanctuaries. Stopping deforestation and poaching.
Questions & Solutions
Pehle khud try karo — phir solution kholo. Yahi tariqa topper banata hai.
What is the difference between tropical evergreen and deciduous forests?
What is the difference between savanna and prairies?
What is tundra vegetation?
What is a biosphere reserve? Name two from India.
Why is wildlife under threat? Write two reasons.
What is Project Tiger?
Vegetation depends on rainfall: evergreen (200cm+), deciduous (70-200cm), thorny (low rainfall), temperate (mountains), tundra (snow). Grasslands: savanna (tropical), prairies/steppe (temperate). Every habitat has its own wildlife. Conservation: biosphere reserves (18), national parks, sanctuaries.
Chapter-end quiz
4 MCQsOption tap karo — turant pata chalega sahi ya galat, explanation ke saath.
Q1.Where are tropical evergreen forests found?
Q2.Savanna is the grassland of which continent?
Q3.Which is India's first biosphere reserve?
Q4.Teak and sal are trees of which type of forest?
Mark karo — dashboard par progress dikhega.