Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

1. Can you list out the range of animals survive in extreme cold of the Himalayan Harbour?
Ans. A hardy range of animals survive in extreme cold of the Himalayan harbour:
The freezing high altitudes of Ladakh are a home to Yak, the shaggy horned wild ox weighing around
tones.
The Tibetan antelope, the pharal (blue sheep), wild sheep are found here.
The kiang-the Tibetan wild ass is also found in this region.
The ibex, bear, snow-leopard and very rare red Panda are found in certain pockets.

2. Distinguish between reforestation and Afforestation.

Ans.
Reforestation
It is practiced in areas where forests have been destroyed.
Two saplings are planted to replace every fallen tree.
It is practiced to avoid the evils of shifting agriculture.
Deforestation
New forests are planted in the new areas.
One sapling is planted to get one tree.
It is practiced to bring more area under forests.

3. How do human beings influence the ecology of a region? Mention any three points.
Ans. Human beings are an integral part of ecosystem.
They utilize the vegetation and wildlife.
The greed of human beings leads to over-utilization of these resources.
They create ecological imbalance like cutting of trees and the killing of animals.
They are also responsible for extinctions of some species of plants and animals.

4. How far it is correct to say that Rann of Kachchh is one of the extraordinary sights of India? Explain.
Ans. Rann of Kachchh is one of the extraordinary sights in India as:
Some of the wetlands of India are popular with migratory birds, during winter, birds, such as Siberian
Crane come in large number.
One such place favourable with birds is the Rann of Kachchh.
At this place where the desert merges with the sea, flamingo with their brilliant, pink plumage, come in
thousands to build nest mounds from the salty mud and raise their young ones.
Due to this reason environmentalists consider this place an extraordinary sight in the country.
It is also a rich natural heritage of our country.

5. What are biosphere reserves and what are their uses.

Ans. Protected areas reserved for the conservation of endangered species of flora and fauna in their
natural habitat are called biosphere reserves.
Following are the uses of biosphere reserves:
Endangered species of animals and plants are protected.
These rare plants and animals are transmitted to the future generations in all their natural glory.
The surrounding areas are reserved for research work for the betterment of flora and fauna.
6. What is bio-diversity?
Ans. Biodiversity is the variation of life forms in an ecosystem biome on the entire earth.
The bio diversity found on the earth consists of millions of different species.
It is some total of all the living beings living on the earth.

7. What do you know about migratory birds?

Ans. Some of the wetlands of India are popular with migratory birds.
During winters, birds, such as Siberian Crane come in large numbers.
One such place favourable with birds is the Rann of Kuchchh.
At a place where the desert merges with the sea, flamingo with their brilliant, pink plumage, come in
thousands to build nest mounds from the salty mud and rise their young ones.

8. How has the temperature influence the vegetation cover of India?

Ans. The character and extent of vegetation are mainly determined by temperature along with humidity
in the air, precipitation and soil.
On the slopes of the Himalayas and the hills of the Peninsula above the height of 915 meters the change
in vegetation is noticeable.
The fall in the temperature affects the types of vegetation and its growth, and changes it from tropical
to subtropical temperature and alpine vegetation.

9. How has the photoperiod influence the vegetation cover of India?

Ans. The variation in duration of sunlight at different place is due to differences in latitude, altitude,
seasons and duration of the day.
Due to longer duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in summer.

10. How has the precipitation influence the vegetation cover of India?
Ans. In India all most the entire rainfall is brought in by the advancing southwest monsoon and
retreating north east monsoons.
Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation as compared to other areas of less rainfall.
The tropical evergreen forests are found in the areas where rainfall is more than 200 cm annually.
In regions of India with less than 70 cm of rainfall the natural vegetation consists of thorny trees and
bushes.

11. How has the soil influence the vegetation cover of India?
Ans. The soils also vary over spaces.
Different types of soils provide basis for different types of vegetation.
The sandy soil of the desert support cactus and thorny bushes.
While wet, marshy, deltaic soil support mangroves and deltaic vegetation, the hill slopes with some
depth of soil have conical tree.

12. How has the land influence the vegetation cover of India?
Ans. Land affects the natural vegetation directly and indirectly.
We cannot expect the same type of vegetation in mountainous, plateau and plain areas or in dry and
wet regions.
The nature of land influences the type of vegetation.
The fertile level is generally devoted to agriculture.
The undulating and rock terrains are areas where grass lands and woodlands develop and give shelter a
variety of wild life.
13. Why do we need to conserve the fauna?
Ans. We need to conserve fauna because they make surrounding beautiful and clean.
Forests are very helpful to bring rainfall and source of oxygen.
We need to conserve forests to maintain our ecosystem.
Forests should be conserving to maintain the diversity of plants.

14. Why do we need to conserve the flora?

Ans. We need to conserve the wildlife for the maintenance and protection of many genetic diversities of
wildlife.
We need to conserve forests to maintain our ecosystem.
For the maintenance of food chain we are required to guard flora.

15. Name three medicinal plants found in India and write one feature of each.
Ans. Sarpagandha: It is used to treat blood pressure. It is found only in India.
Jamun: The juice from ripe fruit is used to prepare vinegar which is carminative and diuretic and has
digestive properties.
Arjun: The fresh juice of leaves id a cure for earache. It is also used to regulate blood pressure.

16. Name three medicinal plants found in India and write one feature of each.
Ans. Babool: Leaves are used as a cure for eyesores.
Its gum is used a tonic.
Neem: It has high antibiotic and antibacterial properties
Tulsi Plant: It is used to cure cough and cold.
Kanchur: It is used to cure asthma and ulcers. The buds and roots are good for digestive problems.

17. Write the main causes which are a threat to the ecosystem.
Ans. People inhabit the areas by clearing the forests.
They are recklessly cutting forest to bring land under cultivation and for the construction of houses,
dams, roads and industries.
Pollution due to chemical and industrial wastes and acid deposits is ruining ecosystem.
Hunting and poaching activities of human being are also a great threat to the ecosystem.

18. Name any two endangered species of Indian wildlife and write a step taken by government to save
that species.
Ans. Two endangered species are Tiger and Rhino.
Project tiger was started by the government to save the Tigers.
Land is acquired by the government to give them natural habitat.
Project Rhino was introduced by the government with an objective to save Rhinos.
National parks and wild life sanctuaries are set by the government.

19. Highlight the different subjects taken by government to protect flora and fauna.
Ans. Fourteen biosphere reserves have been setup in the country to protect flora fauna.
Four out of these, the Sunderban in the west Bengal, Nanda Devi in Uttaranchal, the Gulf of Mannar in
Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiris have been included in the world network of Biosphere reserves.
Financial and technical assistance is provided too many Botanical gardens by government since 1992.
Project tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard and many other eco-developmental projects
has been introduced by the government.
20. What is natural or virgin vegetation?
Ans. It means a plant community or group of trees grown naturally without any outside interference.
It is grown without human help and left undisturbed for a long time.
This kind of vegetation is called the virgin vegetation.
It may be of two kinds- endemic vegetation and exotic plants.

21. How temperature of an area affects the natural vegetation?

Ans. Temperature makes very important impact on the vegetation.
Very hot areas like desert etc., have throne type of vegetation.
The cold areas such as the Himalayas have different type of vegetation.
In the hilly areas, we may find tropical to sub-tropical and alpine vegetation.
Thus, temperature plays very important role in the growth of vegetation.

22. What is a biome?

Ans. Biome means plant community occurring in distinct groups in areas having similar climatic
conditions.
In other words a very large ecosystem on land having different types of flora and fauna is termed as
biome.
The biomes are categorized or identified on the basis of plant species.
Thus, there may be many biomes.

23. Write three uses of forests.

Ans. The fallen leaves of the trees add humus to soil.
Hence, the forests help in increasing the fertility of the soil.
Forests assist to check floods.
The roots of trees absorb rain water.
They regulate the flow water and help in controlling the floods.
Forests help in the prevention and control of soil erosion.

24. Write some characteristics of Tropical rain forest.

Ans. These forests are restricted to torrential rainfall areas of Western Ghats and the island group of
Lakshadweep and Nicobar, upper parts of Assam and Tamil Nadu.
The areas having more than 200cm of rainfall with a short dry season are the most suitable for such
forests.
The trees reach great heights up to 60 meters or even above.
This area has luxuriant vegetation including tree of all kinds, shrubs and creepers giving it a multi-
layered structure as the region remains warm and wet throughout the year.

Few More Important Questions

1. Can you assess the significance of forests to enhance the quality of environment? Justify the answer
with suitable arguments.
Ans. Forests play a significant role to enhance the quality of environment as they are renewable
resources.
Forests control soil erosion, modify local climate regulate stream flow, support a variety of industries,
provide livelihood for many communities.
Forests offer panoramic or scenic view of recreation.
It controls temperature and causes rainfall.
It provides humus to the soil and enhances the fertility of soil.
Forests provide shelter to wild life.

2. Describe the factors responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India.
Ans. Land: The nature of land influences the type of vegetation. The fertile land is generally devoted to
agriculture. The undulating and rough terrains are the areas where grassland and woodlands develops
and give shelter to a variety of wildlife.
Soil: different types of soils provide basis for different types of vegetation. The sandy soils the desert
support cactus and thorny bushes while wet, marshy, deltaic soils support mangroves and deltaic
vegetation. The hill slopes with some depth of soil have conical trees.
Temperature: on the slopes of the Himalayas and the hills of the peninsula above the height of 915
meters, the fall in temperature affects the types of vegetation and its growth and it changes it from
tropical to sub-tropical temperate and alpine vegetation.
Photoperiod: The variation in duration of sunlight at different places is due to differences in latitude,
altitude, season and duration of the day. Due to longer duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in
summer.
Precipitation: Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation as compared to other areas of less
rainfall.

3. Which are the most widespread forests of India? Mention any two characteristic features of these
forests.
Ans. The Tropical deciduous forests are the most widespread forests in India.
These are the most wide spread forests in India.
They are also called the monsoon forests and are spread over the region.
They receive rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm.
Trees shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks in dry summer.
These forests are further sub-divided into moist and dry deciduous depending on the availability of
water.
These forests are to be found in the eastern part of the country, northeastern states and on the foothills
of Himalayas, Jharkhand, and west Odisha and Chhattisgarh and on the eastern slope of the Western
Ghats.

4. Can you name the forest which is found in the areas of Western Ghats and Island Groups of India?
And write their any four features.
Ans. Tropical Rain Forests are found in the Western Ghats and the Island Groups of India.
These are also found in the upper parts of Assam and Tamil Nadu.
Following are the feature of these forests:
The areas having more than 200cm of rainfall with a short dry season are the most suitable for such
forests.
The trees reach great height up to 60 meters or even above.
The areas has luxuriant vegetation including trees of all kinds of shrubs and creepers giving it a
multilayered structure as the region remains warm and wet throughout the year.
These trees appear green all the year round as there is no definite time to shed their leaves. Ebony,
mahogany, rosewood, rubber and cinchona are important commercial trees in this forest.
5. Describe any five steps taken by government to conserve he flora and fauna of our country?
Ans. The government has set up fourteen biosphere reserves to protect flora and fauna.
Four out of these, the Sunder bans in the West Bengal, Nanda Devi is Uttaranchal, the Gulf of Mannar in
Tamil Nadu and Nilgiris have been included in the world network of Biosphere reserves.
The government has been providing financial and technical assistance to many Botanical gardens since
1992.
Many eco developmental projects have been introduced including Project Tiger, Project Rhino, project
Great Indian Bustard.
For taking care of Natural heritage, the government has set up 89 National parks, 46 wild life sanctuaries
and zoological gardens.

6. Write down the features of Tropical Rain forests of India.

Ans. These forests are restricted to torrential rainfall areas of Western Ghats and the island group of
Lakshadweep and Nicobar, upper parts of Assam and Tamil Nadu.
The areas having more than 200cm of rainfall with a short dry season are the most suitable for such
forests.
The trees reach great heights up to 60 meters or even above.
This area has luxuriant vegetation including tree of all kinds, shrubs and creepers giving it a multi-
layered structure as the region remains warm and wet throughout the year.
These trees appear green all the year round as there is no definite time for trees to shed their leaves.
Ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber and cinchona are important commercial trees in these forests.

7. Write down the features of Montane forests of India.

Ans. The decreasing temperature with increasing attitude leads to the corresponding change in the
natural vegetation in mountainous areas.
Such type of natural vegetation belt can be found in tropical tundra region.
The wet temperature type of forests is found in between height of 1000 and 2000 meters.
Oaks and chestnuts trees predominant here.
Trees like pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce and cedar are found in temperate forests between 1500 and
3000 meters.
These forests cover mostly the southern slopes of Himalayas.
Temperate grasslands are common at higher elevation.

8. Write down the features of the Thorn Forests and Scrubs of India.
Ans. The natural vegetation like thorny trees and bushes are to be found in the regions having less than
70 cm rainfall.
Such type of vegetation grows in the north-western part of country including semi-arid areas of Gujarat,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, utter Pradesh and Haryana.
Acacias, palms, euphorbias and cacti are the main plant species of this region.
Trees are scattered and have long roots penetrating deep into the soil in order to get moisture.
The stems are succulent to conserve water.
To minimize evaporation, leaves are mostly thick and small.
These forests give way to thorn forests and scrubs in dry area.

9. Write down the features of mangrove forests.

Ans. The mangrove tidal forests are found in the areas of coasts influenced by tides.
Mud and silt get accumulated on such coasts.
Dense mangroves are the common varieties with roots of the plant submerged under water.
The deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, the Krishna, the Godavari and the Kaveri are covered by such
vegetation.
In the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, sundari trees are found, which provide durable hard timber.
Alm, coconut, krora, agar, also grow in some parts of the delta.
Royal Bengal Tiger is a famous animal in these forests.
Turtles, crocodiles, gharials and snakes are also found in these forests.

10. ‘India is one of the twelve mega diversity country of the world’. Explain.
Ans. Our country is one of the twelve mega bio-diversity countries of the world.
With about 47000 plant species India occupies tenth place in the world and fourth in Asia in plant
diversity.
There are about 15000 flowering plants in India which account for 6% in the world’s total number of
flowering plants.
The country has many non-flowering plants such as ferns, algae and fungi.
India also has approximately 90000 species of animals as well as rich variety of fish in its fresh and
marine waters.