the learning material for natural vegetation

2. INTRODUCTION
Our Country is rich in Bio-Diversity with about
i) 47,000 Plant species
ii) 15,000 Flowering plants
iii)89,000 Species of animals

3. • NATURAL VEGETATION : It refers to a plant
community which has grown naturally without
human aid and has been left undisturbed by
humans for long time.
• ENDEMIC OR INDIGENOUS SPECIES: It refers to
species which grow within India.
• EXOTIC SPECIES: It refers to species which grow
outside India.
• FLORA: It denotes plants of particular region or
period.
• FAUNA: It denotes animals of particular region or
period.

4. FACTORS RESPONIBLE FOR DIVERSITY
IN FLORA AND FAUNA KINGDOM
• RELIEF
• i)Land: In mountainous, plateau and plain the
vegetation is different. { Plain area is used for
agriculture, grassland and woodland develop over
mountainous areas and give shelter to variety of
wild life}
• Ii)Soil: Soil provide basis for growth of different
types of vegetation.{Sandy soils provide growth
of cactus and thorns, deltaic soils support
mangrove vegetation}

5. • CLIMATE
• i) Temperature: The character and extent of
vegetation in an area is dependent upon
temperature along with humidity and precipitation
in an area. On the basis vegetation is divided into
following zones
VEGETATION ZONES TEMPERATURE RANGE
Tropical Above 24°C
Sub-Tropical 17°C to 24°C
Temperate 7°C to 17°C
Alpine Below 7°C

6. • ii) Photoperiod: It is the effect of sunlight on the
growth and development of plant life. Duration
of sunlight is different due to Latitude, Altitude,
Season and duration of day. Due to longer
duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in summer.
• iii) Precipitation: Maximum rainfall in India is
received from Monsoons(advancing monsoon
and retreating monsoon). Area having high
rainfall have dense vegetation.

7. IMPORTANCE OF FOREST
• Modify Climate.
• Control Soil Erosion.
• Provide livelihood for
many species and
communities.
• Provides scenic view for
recreation and supports
tourism.
• Support for various
Industries.
• Provides medicinal herbs.
Van
Mahotsav
is
celebrated
on 5 june

8. ECOSYSTEM
• An Ecosystem is a system which includes
all living organisms(Biotic) in an area as
well as its physical environment(Abiotic)
functioning together as a unit.
• BIOME: A very large Ecosystem on land
having distinct type of vegetation and
animal life.
• Human being is an important part of
Ecosystem.
• They utilize the vegetation and wild life.
Their greed has led to overutilization of
resources, cut trees and hunt animals to
such an extent that they have reached
the verge of Extinction.

9. TYPES OF
VEGETATION
1. TROPICAL
EVERGREEN FORESTS
2. TROPICAL
DECIDUOUS FORESTS
3. TROPICAL THORN
FORESTS OR THORN
FOREST OR SCRUBS
4. MONTANE FORESTS
5. MANGROVE FORESTS

10. TROPICAL EVERGREEN FORESTS
• Found in the areas having rainfall more
than 200cm.
• Found in western slopes of Western
Ghats, North-Eastern states, Andaman
and Nicobar islands and Lakshadweep
Islands.
• Height of 50 Meters.
• Since the region is warm and wet
throughout the year it has luxuriant
vegetation throughout the year.
• There is time limit for trees to shed
their leaves therefore they remain
green all the year round.
• Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber,
Cinchona .
• Elephants, Monkey, Deer, One-horned
Rhinoceros.

11. TROPICAL EVERGREEN FOREST

12. TROPICAL DECIDUOUS FORESTS
• These are called Monsoon
Forests.
• Found in areas receiving
70-200 cm of rainfall.
• They shed their leaves in
the beginning of summer
season in the face of
shortage water.
• 30-45 meters tall.
• Lion, Tiger, Deer, Elephant
variety of birds, lizards
and snakes.

13. On the basis of availability of water
• 100-200 cm of rainfall.
• Foothills of Himalayas, Jharkhand,
Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Eastern
slopes of Western Ghats.
• Teak, Bamboo, Sal, Shisham,
Sandalwood
MOIST
DECIDUOUS
• 70-100 cm of rainfall
• Rainier parts of Peninsular Plateau,
Plains of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
• Teak, Sal, Peepal, Neem
DRY
DECIDUOUS

14. TROPICAL DECIDUOUS FORESTS

15. TROPICAL THORN FORESTS OR SCRUBS
• Found in areas which
receives rainfall less than 50
cm.
• Gujarat, Rajasthan, North-
Western part of Punjab,
parts of Madhya Pradesh.
• Acacias, Palms, Cactii, Kikar,
Babool are plant species.
• Trees have long roots which
get penetrated in soil in
order to get moisture, Leaves
are thick and small in size.
• Rats, Tiger, Lion, Horses and
Camel is found here.

16. TROPICAL THORN FORESTS OR SCRUBS

17. MONTANE FORESTS
• These forests are found in mountainous areas.
• Found in Jammu Kashmir, Uttrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Decrease in Temperature with corresponding change in
vegetation as shown in the table:
• Kashmiri Stag, Spotted deer, Jack, Rabbit, Yak, Squirrels.
TYPE OF MONTANE FOREST ALTITUDE TREES
Wet Temperate Forest 1000-2000 meters Oak and Chestnut
Temperate Forest
(Southern slopes of Himalayas
and North-East India)
1500-3000 meters Pine, Deodar, Silver fir,
Cedar
Alpine Vegetation > 3600 meters Silver Fir, Pines

18. MANGROVE FORESTS
• Called Tidal Forests as
influenced by tides.
• Dense roots submerged under
water.
• Deltas of Mahanadi, Krishna,
Godavari and Brahmaputra is
covered with this type of
vegetation.
• In Ganga-Bramhaputra delta
SUNDARI TREES are found
which provide durable timber.
• PALM, COCUNUT etc trees grow
here.
• Royal Bengal Tiger, Crocodiles
and snakes are found.

19. MANGROVE FORESTS

20. MEDICINAL PLANTS
• India is rich in its herbs and species from ancient
times. The commonly used plants in India are:
• 1.SARPAGANDHA: Treat Blood pressure
• 2.JAMUN: Juice of this fruit possess digestive
properties and seed is use for curing diabetes.
• 3.ARJUN: Use to regulate blood pressure. Juice of
leaves is used to cure earache.
• 4.NEEM: Possess antibacterial and antibiotic
properties.
• 5.TULSI: Cure cough and cold
• 6.KACHNAR: Cure asthma and ulcers.

21. WILDLIFE/FAUNA
• India is rich in Fauna: 1200 species of birds,
2500 species of fish,89000 animal species.
SPECIES AREAS
Elephants Assam, Karnataka and Kerala
One-horned Rhinoceros Assam and West Bengal
Wild Ass and Camels Rann of Kuchch and Rajasthan
Lion (Asiatic) Gir forest in Gujarat
Tigers Madhya Pradesh, Sundebans of West Bengal and
Himalayan
Yak, Tibetan antelope, Bharal(blue sheep),
Kiang(wild ass)
Ladakh

22. WHY NEED TO CONSERVE THE
SPECIES?
• Animals provided transportation,
meat and egg.
• Fish provide nutritive food.
• Insects help in pollination of crops
and fruit trees.
• Plant species provide food to
animals and humans.
• Thus , every species plays an
important role in Ecosystem.

23. REASONS FOR EXTINCTION OF
SPECIES(PLANT AND ANIMAL)
• Rapid increase in exploitation of
forest resources due to industrial
advancement.
• Clearing of forest land for agriculture,
human settlements etc.
• Hunting of animals for their skin and
other things.
• Pollution due to chemical and
industrial waste.
• Grazing by domestic cattle caused
adverse effect on wildlife and its
habitat.

24. STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT
• 1. 14 Biosphere Reserves have been set up in the
country to protect flora and fauna.
BIOSPHERE RESERVE` STATE
1.Sunderbans West Bengal
2.Nanda Devi Uttaranchal
3.Gulf of Mannar Tamilnadu
4.Nilgiris Kerala
5.Great Nicobar Andaman and Nicobar island
6.Manas Assam
7.Simlipal Orissa
8.Dihang-Dibang Arunachal Pradesh
9.Dibru Saikhowa Assam
10.Agasthyamalai Kerala
11.Kanchenjunga Sikkim
12.Pachmari Madhya Pradesh
13.Achanakmar-Amarkantak Chhattisgarh
14.Nokrek Meghalaya

25. • 2.Financial Assistance is provided to various
Botanical Gardens.
• 3.Project Tiger, Project Rhino and many other
developmental projects have started.
• 4.89 National Parks, 490 Wildlife Sanctuaries are
set up to take care of natural heritage.

26. QUESTION-ANSWERS
• Q1.Define an Ecosystem.
• A1. An ecosystem is a system in which plants, animals,
humans and environment are interlinked and
interdependent on each other in a specific area.
• Q2. What is a bio-reserve? Give example.
• it is a unique ecosystem of land and coastal areas
which are recognised by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere
Programme(MAB) which aims at following:
• 1. Conservation of Biodiversity(plants and animals)
• 2.Making development in terms of technology and
environment.
• 14 biosphere are recognized in India like Sunder ban
Biosphere reserve in West Bengal.

27. Flora
It refers to
plant life in
an area
There are
47,000 plant
species
Fauna
It refers to
animal life in
an area.
There are
89000 animal
species.
Q3. Distinguish between:
1.Flora and Fauna
2. Tropical Evergreen Forest and Tropical Deciduous Forest
Tropical
Evergreen Forest
They remain green
throughout the
year.
They are tall i.e 50
meters
They are found in
areas more than
200 cm
Tropical
Deciduous Forest
They shed their
leaves .
They are less short
i.e 30-40 meters
They are found in
areas in 70-200
cm

28. • Q4. Name different types of vegetation and describe vegetation of
high altitude.
• A4. Natural vegetation refers to the growth of plants that are left
undisturbed by humans. The different types of vegetation are :
• 1.Tropical Evergreen Forest
• 2. Tropical Deciduous Forest
• 3.Tropical Thorn Forest
• 4. Mangrove Forest
• 5. Montane Forest
• Vegetation on the basis of altitude is as follows:
• 1. Wet Temperate Forest: it is present at a altitude of 1000-2000
meters and Oak and Chestnut are trees are present there.
• 2. Temperate Forest: it is present at the altitude of 1500-3000
meters.they are present on the Southern slopes of Himalayas and
North-East India.Pine, Deodar, Silver fir, Cedar are trees present
here.
• 3. Alpine Vegetation: it is present at the altitude of more than 3600
meters. Silver Fir, Pines are the trees preset here.

29. • Q5. Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India.Why
• The various reasons why the plants and animals life are endangered are:
• Forests are home of animals. They are cut rapidly by humans for agriculture,
human settlements, industrial expansion etc..
• Hunting of animals for their skin and other things.like elephants are killed for
ivory, tigers for skin.
• Land Pollution , Water Pollution due to chemical and industrial waste also kills
various marine species like fishes etc.
• Grazing by domestic cattle caused adverse effect on wildlife and its habitat.
• Q6. Why India has rich heritage of flora and fauna?
• India has rich heritage of flora and fauna because of following factors:
• 1.Varied relief: relief in India is present in form of mountains , plateaus, plains
,deserts, islands etc. Each have different climatic conditions like soil,
temperature etc. which help in the presence or absence of vegetation.
• 2.Climatic conditions: different place have different climatic conditions. Areas
with high temperature and low rainfall have desert type vegetation like
Rajasthan.
• 3.Photoperiod: it refers to duration of sunlight in an area. Places near equato
have more photoperiod, more temperature, more rainfall and thus dense
vegetation like Tropical Evergreen forest near Equator.

30. • Q7. Explain various factors for the distribution of plants and
animals in an area.
• A7. The various factors for distribution of plants and animals
are as follows:
• 1.Land: In mountainous, plateau and plain the vegetation is
different. { Plain area is used for agriculture, grassland and
woodland develop over mountainous areas and give shelter to
variety of wild life}
• 2.Soil: Soil provide basis for growth of different types of
vegetation.{Sandy soils provide growth of cactus and thorns,
deltaic soils support mangrove vegetation}
• 3. Temperature: on the basis of temperature ,vegetation is
different. Tropical vegetation in areas with temperature above
24°C, Sub-Tropical in areas with temperature 17°C to 24°C,
Temperate vegetation in areas with temperature 7°C to 17°C
and Alpine vegetation in areas with temperature below 7°C.