Natural vegetation and wild life 9th

the learning material for natural vegetation .

1. 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

2. 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.

3. FACTORS RESPONIBLE FOR DIVERSITY IN FLORA AND FAUNA KINGDOM RELIEF i )Lan d: 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}

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. TYPES OF VEGETATION TROPICAL EVERGREEN FORESTS TROPICAL DECIDUOUS FORESTS TROPICAL THORN FORESTS OR THORN FOREST OR SCRUBS MONTANE FORESTS MANGROVE FORESTS

9. 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 .

10. TROPICAL EVERGREEN FOREST

11. 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.

12. On the basis of availability of water

13. TROPICAL DECIDUOUS FORESTS

14. 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.

15. TROPICAL THORN FORESTS OR SCRUBS

16. 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

17. 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.

18. MANGROVE FORESTS

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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 .

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. Q3. Distinguish between: 1.Flora and Fauna 2. Tropical Evergreen Forest and Tropical Deciduous Forest

27. 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.

28. 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 P ollution 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 I ndia 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 equator have more photoperiod, more temperature, more rainfall and thus dense vegetation like Tropical Evergreen forest near Equator.

29. 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.L an d : 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.