Natural vegetation and wildlife For class - 8

PPT on Natural vegetation and wildlife for class 8 It includes information about Different types of forests and parks as you can see in ppt. Don't forget to follow and like my uploads.

1. NATURAL VEGETATION The assemblage of plant species in an environment is known as natural vegetation. Natural vegetation includes forests, grasses and Shrubs. Temperature and rainfall are two important factors for the growth of plants. In the areas where rainfall is heavy, the forests are thick and dense.

2. As the rainfall decreases, the size and concentration of trees also reduce. Shrubs and short trees are common in the areas of low rainfall or in desert areas. In cold regions, the growing season is very short. Therefore, plants occur in scattered patches in the form of mosses and lichens.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF FORESTS Tropical Hardwood Forests Mediterranean Forests Temperate Softwood Forests Tropical Evergreen Forests Tropical Deciduous Forests

4. TROPICAL EVERGREEN FORESTS These forests are also known as Tropical Rain Forests because they are confined to tropical regions where heavy rainfall occurs throughout the year. All the trees of these forests do not shed their leaves at the same time.

5. Hence, the forests always appear green. That is why, such forests are known as evergreen forests. They are spread in the areas of Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon in Africa. In India, they are common in the Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala and the North-Eastern parts of the country. The favorable climatic conditions for these forests are heavy and well-distributed rainfall (200 cm) and hot climate throughout the year.

6. The hardwood trees of these forests are very tall, sometimes reach up to 60 meters. Several species of trees are found within a single area. These forests are characterized by dense growth of vegetation. The trees have broad leaves to permit transpiration of surplus moisture. Some of the typical trees are mahogany, ebony, rosewood, rubber and palm. The animals found in rain forests are elephant, lemur, monkey and deer

7. TROPICAL DECIDUOUS FORESTS These forests are also known as Monsoon Forests because they are common in the Monsoon areas of the world. These forests are commonly found in India, Myanmar, South China, East Brazil and Central parts of America.

8. These forests thrive in regions where the climate is warm, with distinct wet and dry seasons. Deciduous Forests receive summer rainfall in the months of June, July, August and September ranging between 100-200 cm. The vegetation in these forests is not as dense as that in the Tropical Evergreen Forests. The Deciduous Forests have predominantly broad-leafed trees and medium size leaves and they shed their leaves during the dry season to conserve moisture.

9. Trees are medium in height (30-40 meters). Common trees are sal , teak, sandalwood, bamboo and shisham . Eucalyptus is common in Australia. The animals found in Deciduous forests are lion, tiger, elephant and numerous kinds of reptiles.

10. MEDITERRANEAN FORESTS These forests are mainly located in regions around the Mediterranean Sea. The main areas are the shores of Europe, Asia, North Africa and South-Western parts of South Africa. These forests are usually found in the areas which have dry summer and moderate rainfall during winter.

11. Trees of these forests are widely scattered and have spiny, waxy, small and leathery-textured leaves. They also have long roots and thick bark. Due to the above features, these trees are able to retain moisture in the dry summer season. The important trees of these forests are cork, olive and citrus fruit trees. The popular animal species found in Mediterranean forests are Mediterranean monk seal, Barbary macaque, Greek tortoise, Iberian lynx, Great busted, etc.

12. TEMPERATE SOFTWOOD FORESTS These Forests are commonly known as Coniferous Forests as the shape of the trees looks conical. Such forests are common in the higher latitudes of the northern hemisphere and high mountains in Europe, Asia, North Canada and USA. PINE TREE

13. In India, the Temperate Softwood Forests are found in southern slopes of the Himalayas and are commonly known as Mountain Forests. These forests are found in the colder regions of the world. Here, the precipitation is received in the form of snow in winter. Most of the trees are tall and conical in shape. Due to their shape, the snow cannot accumulate on them. These trees do not shed their thick needle-shaped leaves and hence, look evergreen.

14. Pine, fur, spruce, cedar, deodar, sliver fir, chestnut and walnut are some of the common trees in these forests. These trees have commercial importance and are used for various purposes, such as making of pulp, plywood, etc. The animals commonly found in Softwood Forests are Kashmir stag, spotted deer, Tibetan antelope, snow leopard, tiger and golden eagle. Tibetan Antelope

15. ADVANTAGES OF FORESTS Forests are the breathing lungs of the civilization and therefore, are very important for the survival of life on earth. Forests help us to breathe by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. They provide safe habitat to the wild animals. Many people depend on forests for their livelihood. Trees also help in keeping the earth cool.

16. For Deforestation , Government has taken several stringent measures to protect our forest cover. Some of these measures are: Afforestation or large scale plantation of trees. ‘Each one plant one’ policy. Efficient utilization of forest products and usage of substitutes of wood. Enforcement of a number of laws/guidelines to protect forests and prohibit deforestation. Discouraging shifting cultivation which causes forest loss.

17. WILDLIFE Wildlife includes non-domesticated animals, such as birds, fishes and animals, which make forests as their natural habitat. It is the most important part of the natural ecosystem. Wildlife varies from place to place due to climatic variations. For example, in India, there is a rich variety of birds and animals.

18. The blackbuck, peacock, lion and Bengal tiger are found in India. Australia is famous for kola bear, emu and kookabura . Wildlife is very essential to maintain the ecological balance on the earth’s surface. Blackbuck EMU EMU

19. KOOKABURA IS KNOWN AS LAUGHING JACKASS.

20. Dead and decaying plants and animals also produce humus, which is helpful to maintain the fertility of the soil. In various parts of the world, wild animals are hunted for various purposes like meat, skin, horns, etc. This disturbs the ecological balance of the environment. Many birds have become extinct and many others are on the verge of extinction. Our forests are treasure troves of biodiversity. They harbour millions of species of animals.

21. Many animals have become extinct because they have lost natural habitat. Hence, there is great need for the conservation of wildlife. Several steps are being taken by the Government of India to conserve the wildlife. Some of these are: Hunting and poaching of wild animals and birds have been banned. Killing of wildlife is a punishable offence. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are being set-up in different parts of the world. At present India has 103 National Parks and 528 Wildlife Sanctuaries.

22. A National Park is a well-defined area for the protection of wildlife. Visitors can only visit the park. No one has a right to use any forest products. Collection of firewood, timber from any part of the forest is totally prohibited. Grand Canyon National Park of USA is declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). NATIONAL PARK

23. WILDLIFE SANCTUARY It is a declared protected area in which limited human activities are permitted. Hunting of animals and cutting of trees are banned. People can collect firewood, timber and medicinal herbs in a moderate amount which can be used for research and educational purposes. The UNESCO has selected Manas Wildlife Sanctuary of India as a world heritage site.

24. 25-07-2021 26 • In India Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 prohibits poaching, hunting and trade of wildlife. • In 1973 ‘Project Tiger’ was launched in India with the aim of conserving tigers. • Initially nine tiger reserves were set-up, which expanded to 39 tiger reserves in 2010. • Jim Corbett National Park of Uttrakhand is a famous tiger reserve of India.

25. T H A N K Y O U