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

(c) the Himalayan Forests

(d) equatorial forests

(d) Lion

(c) Orchid

The forests types of Brazil and India can be differentiated as follows :

(A) Brazil- Tropical evergreen forests :

• The northern region near equator in Brazil receives abundant sunshine and heavy rainfall throughout the year.
• As its effect, tropical evergreen forests are seen in the northern part of Brazil.
• The location of India is far away from equator.
• Therefore, the tropical evergreen forests that are seen in Brazil and not seen in India.

(B) India- Himalayan forests :

• Himalayan forests are found in northern part of India. Many flowering trees, coniferous trees like pine, deodar, etc. as well as sal tree are found in Himalayan forests.
• Himalayan forests are categorized into three types as per the altitude of Himalayan range.
• Like India, no snow covered mountainous‘ regions are found in Brazil.
• Therefore, the Himalayan forests that are seen in India are not seen in Brazil.

The following environmental issues are faced by Brazil and India :

• Deforestation : To fulfill the need of shelter of increasing population, for collecting firewood and for practicing shifting cultivation trees are cut down on a large in both the countries. Therefore, Brazil and India facing a problem of deforestation.
• Pollution : The problem of pollution is increasing in both the countries.
• Environmental degradation : Both the countries are facing a problem of environmental degradation due to increasing deforestation and pollution.
• Extinction of spices : Both the countries are facing a problem of extinction of many spices of vegetation and wild life.

The following are the major causes of degradation of forests in Brazil and India :

• In Brazil as well as in India there is shortage of land for human settlements.
• For obtaining the space for settlements, trees are cut down on a large scale in both the countries,
• Roka type of farming is practiced in Brazil Zoom agriculture is practiced in India. In these types of farming, the forest area is cleared on a large scale for the agricultural activities.
• In both the countries tress are cut down on a large scale to obtain firewood and to satisfy other domestic needs.

• Deciduous type of vegetation is characterized by trees that shed their leaves during dry/ summer season.
• Shedding leaves decreases the rate of evaporation and it helps trees to conserve water and energy.
• Deciduous type of vegetation is found in the areas receiving rainfall between 1000 mm and 2000 mm.
• In most of India, the amount of annual average rainfall is between 1000 mm to 2000 mm. Therefore, the deciduous type of vegetation occupies most of India.

• The amount of annual average rainfall is nearly 2000 mm in the northern part of Brazil. The annual average temperature of this region is about 28°C.
• The equator passes through the northern part of Brazil. Therefore, this region receives perpendicular sunrays throughout the year.
• Due to abundant sunshine and heavy rainfall, vegetation grow with high speed in this region. The life cycle and the density of vegetation is found to be high in this region.
• Therefore, the northern part of Brazil is covered by dense forests.

• The temperature at high altitude of Himalayas is almost 0°C throughout the year.
• The area is almost snow covered for most of the days in year.
• Due to severe cold, vegetation do not grow in the high altitudes of Himalayas.
• During summer, the snow start melting and as its effect some seasonal flower trees grow in the higher altitude of Himalayas. These trees are extinct during winter.

Therefore, vegetation is scarce in the high altitude of Himalayas.

• Insects are mostly found in forests, grasslands and swampy lands.
• Many insects eat leaves, grass and nectar from the plant.
• The evergreen rainforests are seen in the northern parts of Brazil.
• The grasslands are found in the central parts and Paraguay-Parana river basin. Similarly, swampy lands are found in Pantanal region in Brazil.

Therefore, a Wide variety of species of insects is found in Brazil.

• To satisfy the needs of shelter and to obtain firewood, the trees are cut down on a large scale in India. Deforestation has resulted into a loss of habitat for many of the species.
• In India, the problem of pollution has become severe due to increased urbanization. Various types of pollution have threatened the lives of many of the species. In India, the problem of illegal smuggling and hunting of animals has increased.
• In India, due to shifting cultivation like Jhum the area under forest is cleared on a large scale. This has resulted into loss of shelter for animals.

Therefore, wildlife in India is decreasing day by day.

• Like India, to satisfy the needs of shelter and to obtain firewood, the trees are cut down on a large scale in Brazil too. This has resulted into a loss of habitat for many of the species.
• Like India, the problem of pollution has become severe due to increased urbanization in Brazil too. Various types of pollution have threatened the lives of many of the species. Like India, the problem of illegal smuggling and hunting of animals has increased in Brazil too.
• Like India, due to shifting cultivation like Roka the area under forest is cleared on a large scale in Brazil too. This has resulted into loss of shelter for animals.

Therefore, like India, there is need of conservation of forests in Brazil too.