Notes-Class 10-Geography-Chapter-5-Natural Vegetation and Wild Life-Maharashtra Board

Vegetation in the areas of high rainfall :

• The number of rainy days and the amount of rainfall is highest near the equatorial region.
• Evergreen forests are found in such areas. They are also known as rainforests.
• Density of vegetation is found to be high in such forests.
• Because of the evergreen rainforests in Brazil, there is a large amount of oxygen that is released in the environment. This helps to reduce carbon dioxide levels. Therefore, these rainforests are rightly called the ‘lungs of the world’.

Vegetation in the areas of medium rainfall :

• The number of rainy days and the amount of rainfall is comparatively less.
• Semi-evergreen forests are found in such areas.
• Density of vegetation is found to be comparatively low in such forests.

Vegetation in the areas of low rainfall :

• The number of rainy days and the amount of rainfall is very low.
• Arid type of vegetation is found in such areas.
• Density of vegetation is found to be very low in such areas.
• Instead of forests, various types of grasses, shrubs, thorny vegetation, etc. are found.

Animals and birds in Brazil :

• Huge anacondas are mainly found in the swampy areas of Pantanal.
• The animals like guinea pigs, crocodiles, alligators, monkeys, pumas, leopards, etc. are commonly seen in Brazil.
• Variety of fish is found in Brazil. Swordfish are mainly found in Atlantic Sea near Brazil. Pink dolphins and piranhas are mainly seen in rivers in Brazil.
• Huge sized condors that fly high in the sky are seen in Brazil. Various types of parrots, macaws, flamingoes are the other major birds as well as million of varieties of insects are also found in Brazil.
• Many kinds of colourful birds like parakeets, cockatoos, etc. live on tree-tops in Brazil
• Alligators and Piranha, a carnivorous species of fish are found in the rivers in Brazil.

Areas :The evergreen forests in India are found in the regions receiving abundant sunlight and annual average rainfall more than 2000 mm. These forests are found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Western Ghats, the coastline of peninsular India, and the Assam region in the north-east.

Trees : The trees like mahogany, rosewood, rubber, sandalwood, etc. are found in the evergreen forests in India. Various types of creepers are also found in these forests.

Characteristics :

• The trees from evergreen forests have broad and green leaves. Their wood is found to be hard, heavy and durable.
• Many species of vegetation and wildlife is found in evergreen forests in India.
• Highest biodiversity found in these forests.

Areas : The areas at higher altitude in Himalayan range are often covered with snow. In summer, the snow from this region starts melting leading to growth of seasonal flowing trees.

Trees :

• The areas at medium altitude in the Himalayan range are covered with the forests having the coniferous trees like pine, deodar, fir, etc.
• The areas at low altitude in the Himalayan range, i.e. at the foothills of Himalayan range, mixed forests are found. Coniferous as well as deciduous types of forests are found in this region.
• Sai trees are mostly seen in mixed forests at lower attitudes

Characteristics :

• Trees in these region have needle-shaped leaves. These leaves allows for snow to easily glide off the branches.

Animals and birds in India :

• Elephants in southern forest region of India.
• One horned rhinoceroses in marshy lands of Assam.
• Wild ass and camels in arid deserts.
• Snow leopards and yaks in the snowcapped northern regions of Himalayan range.
• Indian bisons, deer, antelopes, monkeys in peninsular region.
• Turtles, crocodiles and gharials in rivers, estuaries and coastal regions.
• Peacocks, Indian bustard, kingfishers, peasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes, pigeons, etc. in various parts of India.

Geographical conditions and the flora and fauna in India.

• Geographical conditions affect measurably the flora and fauna in a region. In India, due to extreme cold climate, limited varieties of flora and fauna are seen in Himalayan range. The trees in the cold region have needle-shaped leaves.
• Most of the animals in this region have thick fur.
• Moderate climatic conditions in north Indian plains and peninsula physiographic divisions of India are highly suitable for the growth and development of flora and fauna. Therefore, variety of flora and fauna are seen in these regions.
• Thar desert have adverse geographical and climatic conditions. Therefore minimum variety of flora and fauna is found here. In this arid region, thorny vegetation is seen. Camel is also found in this region.
• Mangroves and sundarbans are found in hot, humid coastal areas of India. Many species of birds, fish are also found in coastal region.

Measures taken for protecting wildlife :

Establishment of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, biosphere forests, etc. by government.

• Restricting wildlife hunting.
• Restricting wildlife trading.
• Declaring more national parks and sanctuaries.
• Giving more importance to endangered animals.