Geography: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Q1. Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna? 3

Ans. Our country has a rich heritage of flora and fauna
i. It is one of the twelve mega biodiversity countries of the world.
ii. With about 47000 plants species India occupies the tenth place in the world and
fourth in Asia in plant diversity
iii. There are about 15000 flowering plants in India which account for 6 per cent of the
world’s total number of flowering plants
iv. The country has many non-flowering plants such as ferns algae and fungi.
v. India also has 89000 species of animals as well as a rich variety of fish in its fresh
and marine waters.

Q2. What is an ecosystem? Write briefly about its components and their interdependence. 3
Ans. All the plants and animals in an area are interdependent and interrelated to each other
in their physical environment thus forming an eco-system.
i. Plants, animals’ human beings and the environment are the components of the
ecosystem. plants are the main natural components on the earth which can use the
sun's energy to prepare food. Plants are the backbone of the natural resources of the
country.
ii. The nature of the plants in an area to a large extent determines the animal life of that
area. When the vegetation is altered animal life also changes.
iii. Human beings are also an important part of the ecosystem they utilise the vegetation
and wildlife all the living beings on the earth are dependent on plants directly or
indirectly

Q3. Differences between thorn forests and mangrove forest 3

Ans.
Thorn forest Mangrove forest
Rainfall in the thorn forest is less than These forests develop in the deltaic
i. 70 cm region and do not concern with the
rainfall
Babul, palm, cactus and acacia are the main Sundari is the major tree found in
ii. plants found in these forests these forests. The others are
agar and keora
These forests are found in semi-arid regions These forests are found in the
iii. of Gujarat Rajasthan Haryana and deltas of Ganga Mahanadi Kaveri
Uttar Pradesh Krishna and Godavari
Q4. Mention the steps taken by the government to protect the Flora and Fauna of the 5
country.
Ans. The following are the steps that are taken by the government to protect the flora and
fauna of the country.
i. The wildlife protection act was implemented in 1972 in India.
ii. Eighteen biosphere reserves have been set up in the country to protect Sundarbans
Nanda Devi, the Gulf of Mannar, Nilgiris, Norkek, and Great Nicobar. They have
been included in the world network of biosphere reserves.
iii. Financial and technical assistance is provided to many botanical gardens by the
government since 1992.
iv. Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard and many other eco
developments have been introduced.
v. 101 national parks 553 wildlife sanctuaries and zoological parks are set up to take
care of natural heritage.

Q5. Distinguish between Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests 3

Ans.

Q6. Describe the major vegetation zones of the Himalayan region. 5

OR
In mountainous areas, there is a change in natural vegetation due to a decrease in
temperature. Justify giving examples from different zones.
Ans. i. In the Himalayan region of our country, the vegetation differs according to height.
ii. In the foothill, (the Shivalik) are tropical deciduous forests. ‘Sal’ is the most
important species of economic significance.

iii. The zone with an altitude of 1000 m – 2000 m consists of evergreen forests. Beech,
chestnut, oak, ash, etc., are the main trees.
iv. The zone between 1500 m – 3000 m includes pine, cedar, silver fir and spruce. They
are the famous coniferous trees, typical of the dry temperate region found in the inner
Himalayan region.
v. At the height of 3600 m or more, shrubs, scrubs, and grasses of the alpine variety are
found.

THE END