Natural vegetation and wildlife

Flora: The term flora refers to all the plants of a particular area or period.

It is generally referred to the natural vegetation that grows in a geographical area.

• Natural vegetation: It refers to a plant community that has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by human or other interference for a long time.

Importance of forest

• Provide variety of products e.g.wood,leaves as fodder,tendu leaves for making bidis, bamboo, grass to manufacture paper and artifical fibre.

• Prevents global warming.• Roots prevents soil erosion.• Checking floods.• Provides natural habitat for animals and birds.

Factors affecting Natural vegetation.

• 1. Vast latitudinal and longitudinal extent: 3.28 million square k.m. of area and max. area lies between tropical and subtropical belt where sunlight is sufficient and enabling active tree growth for a major part of year.

• 2. Varied relief: The altitude ranges from over 5000m in the Himalayas to 30 m in the coastal areas.

• 3. Varied soil types: As already discussed earlier• 4. Climate: India’s climate varies from polar to cold,

humid to monsoon , to desert types.

• Each climate region supports a typical vegetation and distribution of vegetation depends upon the temperature and rainfall.

Biomes

• Biomes: Region with a specific type of vegetation are known as biomes. They include the organisms in the given region. We often refer to organisms as wild life.

• Q.1. Does the body of the animals that die in Antarctica decompose?

Type of vegetationForest/Grassland

Climate/rainfall Area/Countries Native animals Important features.

1.Evergreen forest

Do not shed their leaves during any season.

• Q. Sketch a forest of your choice and explain why are forest worth saving.-(100 words)

Strategies for conservation

• Biosphere reserves; “How can we conserve the diversity of the living biosphere and maintain healthy natural systems while at the same time, meeting the needs and aspirations of an increasing number of people”

• Biosphere reserves are internationally recognized areas of land and coastal ecosystems supported by UNESCO

• Natural reserves and national parks:• They both are similarly protected areas, but

usually on a larger scale and can cover hundreds of square kilometers.