Post on 02-Sep-2019
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 1
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life
1. Five Types of Forests , Vegetation and wild life in India
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
1.1 To which one of the following types of vegetation does
rubber belong to?
a) Tidal
b) Tundra
1. Tropical Evergreen Forests : Need heavy rainfall, warm and wet climate with more than 200 cm rains. Trees grow to above 60 metres. and shed leaves. Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber, Cinchona are examples.
2. Tropical Decidious Monsoon Forests: Need warm and wet climate with 200 cm to 70 cm rains. Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and across India from Shiwaliks to Eastern Ghats. Trees shed leaves in summer for two months.
2.1 Dry Decidious Forests: 100 cm to 70 cm rains. Peninsular plateau, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh.
3. Tropical Thorn Forests andShrubs.: Less than 70 cm rains. Northwestern parts if India, Thar Desert,Kutch area in Gujarat, parts ofMalwa plateau.
Acactas, palms, euphorbias, cacti.
Camel, horse, tigers, lions, fox, wolf, wild ass, rabbits, rats, mice.
4. Montane Forests: in the Himalayas,Shiwaliks. Decreasing temperatures,increasing altitudes. a) Above 3,600 cm,Alpine vegetation, shrubs, mosses, lichensnear the snowline. b) 3000 cm to 1500cm. Temperate forests and grasslands,mostly in Southern slopes of Himalayas. c)2000 cm to 1000 cm. Wet TemperateForests.
Yak, wild sheep, Kashmir stag, spotteddeer, jack rabbit, mountain goats, snowleopard, squirrels, bear, rare red panda,wild ibex or ox that weighs one tonne.
5. Mangrove Forests: mostly along the eastern coast, at the estuaries of major rivers. Swampy soil made of silt and mud. Trees with roots submerge in water. Sundari, palm, coconut, keora, agar, Jute plants. Royal Bengal Tiger, crocodiles, gharial, turtles,snakes.
1.1 Western Ghats 1.2 Islands of Lakshadweep; Andaman Nicobar. 1.3 Tamil Nadu coast. 1.4 Upper parts of Assam.
1 Elephants, monkey, lemur, deer, and variety of birds. Horned Rhino found in Assam and Bengal only.
2 Teak , Bamboo, Sal, Shisham, Sandalwood, Khair, Kusum, Arjun, Mulberry . Lions, tigers, deers, elephants, tortoise. Variety of birds, snakes, lizards. 2.1 Teak, Sal, Peepal, Neem.
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 2
c) Himalayan
d) Tropical Evergreen
1.2 Cinchona trees are found in the areas of rainfall more than
a) 100 cm
b) 50 cm
c) 70 cm
d) less than 50 cm
1.2 In which of the following state is the Simlipal bio reserve
located?
a) Punjab
b) Delhi
c) Odisha
d) West Bengal
1.3 Which one of the following bio reserves of India is not
included in the world network of bio reserve?
a) Manas
b) Nilgiri
c) Gulf of Mannar
d) Nanda devi
A glimpse of Tropical Evergreen Forests in Western Ghats
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 3
2. Answer the following questions briefly.
2.1 Define an ecosystem.
Answer. An ecosystem is a distinct area in which groups of vegetation types,
micro organism, insect colonies, birds, water life, co exists as they provide
life support to each other. The animal life is a part of the ecosystem. All
are interdependent and interrelated in their physical environment.
Humans are also a part of the ecosystem. But humans tend to extract
excessively from the ecosystem. This results in destroying the balance of
the ecosystem. All natural forests are self sustaining ecosystems.
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 4
Deforestation for purpose of development has been destroying these
ecosystems and creating natural calamities such as recurring floods.
Ecosystem
• An ecosystem has (a) food producers, (b) primary and secondary consumers, (c) Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi.
• Tropic level 1 (producers , plants)
• Tropic level 2 Primary herbivore consumer
• Tropic level 3 Secondary consumer -carnivore
• Tropic level 4 Tertiary consumer
• An ecosystem is a self contained area composed of different organisms, living and interacting with sunlight. Air, water, soil, climatic factors, prevailing in the area
• (b) Air for respiration of plants and animals and CO2 for photosynthesis. It serves as medium of flight for birds and insects, and as an agency for dispersal of seeds and pollen grains for plants in the form of winds.
• (c ) Water: received as rainfall , absorbed by plants and soil , and accumulated by ponds, lakes and rivers. Used by life forms for drinking.
• (d) Warmth in the forest influences the activities of living organisms.
• (e) Soil: is the primary component for all action of life as provider of mineral and nutrients to plant life, micro organisms, burrows and living spaces for animals.
The ABIOTIC or non-living component of Forest consists of (a)
Sunlight that is for production of plant
food by photosynthesis.
-Pond ecosystem
- River ecosystem
- Forest ecosystem coastal area ecosystem
- lagoon ecosystem
Flora are plants naturally occurring in the ecosystem.
Fauna : are animals in the ecosystem
BIOTIC or living component of the forest ecosystem
consists of four Tropic levels from the green
plants at level 1 to Tertiary or top level
consumers.
2.2 What factors are responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in
India?
Answer. Distribution of plants and animals in India is as per the five major
climatic zones. Climatic zones are grouped on basis of variation in
physical terrain, distance from Sea, temperature range, altitude, winds,
rains, Soil types, the intensity of sunlight and sun’s position on the
horizoni, precipitation and local weather conditions.
Depending on the climatic conditions, plants and animals form an
ecosystem, in which each species is interdependent. From micro organisms
to larger animals the ecosystem system sustains the food chain. Plants,
insects, small animals assist one another
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 5
2.3 What is a bio reserve? Give two examples.
Answer. Bio reserves are ecosystems declared as protected by the
Government. In these places, hunting or cutting of wood, clearance of
forests or taking away of forest produces is not allowed. If anyone is
caught in these acts it becomes a criminal offence, punishable under the
law. In India there are bio reserves called Wildlife Sanctuaries, Bird Parks,
Marine life Parks, Special Sanctuaries for Lions (Gir Forest) Tigers (
Sundarbans) Elephants , Silent Valley.
2.4 Name two animals having habitat in tropical and montane type of
vegetation.
Answer. Deer, Stags, wild goats, leopard and snow leopard are a few
animals that are found in tropical and montane types of habitats.
3. Distinguish between
3.1 Flora and Fauna
3.2 Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests
3.1 Flora Fauna
1 Flora is a generic name to
refer to all the different kinds
of vegetations from the micro
level of mushrooms, mosses,
lichens, grasses to the tallest
trees. In sum, all forms of
natural vegetation found in a
climatic zone, is referred to as
flora.
Fauna is a generic name for all
form of micro organisms insects
small animals, birds, water life, and
larger animals that inhabit an
ecosystem in a climatic zone.
2. The term is used only for
plants found in nature.
It does not include the various
genetically modified
The term is used only for animals,
birds, insects, and micro organisms
found in nature.
3 It does not include the plants
or trees that are cultivated as
crops or plantations, through
agriculture.
It does not include any of the
genetically modified species or
living organisms, that come under
biotic, anti biotic or
pharmaceuticals.
4 Flora does not include any of
the various genetically
Fauna also does not include any of
the animal species reared or
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 6
modified flower plants that are
grown as part of horticulture.
In fact, such flowers do not
have any essence or aroma
that is distinct to each natural
flower.
Such flowers are cultivated
only to look bright and
colourful, last longer, and
have a wider variety of hue.
domesticated or genetically
modified by humans for
consumption as food .
3.2 Tropical Evergreen Forests Deciduous Forests
1. a) Tropical Evergreen Forests
grow in conditions of warm
and wet climate of more
than 200 cm rains.
b) The forests are dense and
thick. They are evergreen
because different species of
trees shed leaves in
different months. Therefore,
greater part of the forest is
always covered with a thick
green canopy.
c) Trees grow to heights of
above 60 metres, and grow
very close to one another.
Therefore, the canopy of
Tropical Evergreen Forests
is very thick.
d) Ebony, Mahogany,
Rosewood, Rubber,
Cinchona are a few
examples of species of trees
that grow in these forests.
a) Deciduous Forests are identified in
two groups of Wet and Dry. The
wet forests grow in warm tropical
conditions in areas where the
range of monsoon rainfall is 200
cm to 70 cm.
b) Trees have broad leaves and grow
to heights of 40 metres. All species
of trees in deciduous forests shed
leaves together during two months
of summer.
c) These forests are found in
Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and
across India from Shiwaliks to Eastern
Ghats.
d) Teak Bamboo, Sal, Shisham,
Sandalwood, Khair, Kusum, Arjun,
Mulberry are a few trees that are
found in these forests.
e) The Dry Deciduous Forests grow in
warmer zones that have 100 cm to
70 cm rains.
f) Parts of Peninsular, Malwa plateau,
Chota Nagpur plateau, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh have such forests.
1. Thick evergreen forests 2. Thinner Deciduous forests
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 7
Where darkness exists below where sky and sunlight is seen
And between the trees from between the trees
3. Name different types of Vegetation found in India and describe the
vegetation of high altitudes.
Answer. The different types of vegetation found in India include
Tropical Evergreen Forests, Tropical Deciduous Forests, Dry Deciduous
Forests, Tropical Thor n Forests and Shrubs, Montane Forests and Tundra
vegetation, Mangrove Forests.
The vegetation in high altitudes includes pine, fir, and other
coniferous trees and shrubs. In the highest altitudes of the Himalayas,
Tundra type of vegetation is found. This comprises of mosses and lichens
variety of single cell vegetation.
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 8
a) Estimated 78.29 million hectare = 23.81 % of total geographical area:
b) Dense forests = 12.30 %
c) Open forests = 8.75 %
d) Mangrove = 0.14 %
1. Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in
India. Why?
Answer. Cataloguing of plants and animal species of India was
started towards the last decades of the 19th century. Little is
known about the species that were already endangered or became
extinct due to the wasteful practice of hunting by the royalty.
Extinction of animal species became a major trend due to the
use of gun for hunting purposes initially by the East India
Company and then under the British rule. Vast tracks of forests
were also destroyed for construction of railways and roads by the
British. The over killing of lions and tigers in particular, along
with many species of birds , brought about their extinction.
Animal / Plant / forest Category of existence
Black buck Endangered means their survival is
difficult without protection. Eg.
Crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian
Rhino, lion, tailed macaque, sangai or
Manipuri brown anter deer.
Asiatic elephant Vulnerable means population has
declined to levels from where it could
become endangered in near future. Eg.
Gangetic dolphins
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 9
Andaman wild pig Endemic means found only in specific
local areas isolated by natural barriers.
Eg Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon,
Andaman wild pig mithun in Arunachal
Pradesh
Himalayan brown bear Rare means species with a very small
population and may become endangered.
Eg. Wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox,
hornbill.
Pink head duck Extinct means species no longer in
existence either in India or elsewhere in
the world.
Indian Animals and Category of existence
a) Black buck : Endangered means their survival is difficultwithout protection. Eg. Crocodile, Indian wild ass, IndianRhino, lion, tailed macaque, sangai or Manipuri brownante deer.
b) Asiatic elephant: Vulnerable means population hasdeclined to levels from where it could becomeendangered in near future. Eg. Gangetic dolphins
c) Andaman wild pig : Endemic means found only inspecific local areas isolated by natural barriers. EgAndaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig ;mithun cow in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland
d) Himalayan brown bear: Rare means species with a verysmall population and may become endangered. Eg. WildAsiatic buffalo, desert fox, hornbill.
e) Pink head duck: Extinct means species no longer inexistence either in India or elsewhere in the world.
11©10x10learning.com
2. Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna?
Answer. India is a subcontinent as it has five major climatic and
vegetation types, ranging from the hottest deserts in the Thar
region, to the coldest climate in higher ranges of the Himalayas.
The Montane Forests and vegetation, the Tropical Evergreen
Forests, the Tropical Deciduous Forests, Dry Deciduous Forests,
and the Mangrove forests of major river estuaries . This climatic,
vegetation and physical terrain variety has enabled many
Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wild Life Class 9 2017
10 x 10 Learning TM Page 10
ecosystems to develop and sustain a very rich heritage of flora
and fauna.
In addition, India is a tropical as well as a temperate
climate country. It has several perennial river systems and very
large natural lakes. These attract a huge variety of migratory
birds for the six winter months .
Biodiversity in India• Diversity is immensely rich in the form of wildlife
and over 81,000 species of flora and fauna: 47,000 plant species and 15,000 flowering plants are indigenous to India.
• About 10 per cent of recorded wild flora and 20 per cent of mammals are on threatened list.
• The biodiversity varies as per kind of Forests: Equatorial forests, (5 degrees North and South of Equator) ; Tropical Rain Forests ( 10 degrees N and S ), Tropical forests ( 23 ½ degrees N and S) , Temperate forests ( beyond the Tropics).
2©10x10learning.com
i Sun’s position on the horizon refers to the position of the Sun from the place, during the daily rotation revolution of the Earth. In the Tundra region the Sun is never overhead . For six months in a year , it is continuously seen just above the horizon , as if It is just rising or setting. Overhead position means Sun’s position at the zenith, as at 12 noon, during the Summer months. Such a position of the Sun is visible only in tropical countries and temperate zone countries that are located between the two tropics, namely the Tropic of Cancer at 23 ½
0 N , and Tropic of Capricorn at 23 ½
0 S. The Sun is directly overhead of the Equator twice in
an year on the two Equinox days on 21st
March and 23rd
September. The reason these are called Equinox days is because the days and nights during the week are equal at all placed on Earth.