Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

This geography chapter looks at India's natural vegetation and wildlife. You will learn that India is one of the twelve mega bio-diversity countries, with about 47,000 plant species and about 90,000 animal species. Relief, soil, temperature, photoperiod and rainfall decide what plants grow where. You will study the major vegetation types: tropical evergreen forests, where rainfall is over 200 cm; tropical deciduous forests, the most widespread, with 70 to 200 cm; tropical thorn forests and scrubs with under 70 cm; montane forests that change with altitude; and mangrove forests in deltas such as the Sundarbans. You will also learn about India's wildlife: elephants in Assam, Karnataka and Kerala, one-horned rhinoceroses in Assam and West Bengal, Asiatic lions in the Gir forest, and tigers in many reserves. You will see why species are endangered and how India protects them through 106 national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves and projects such as Project Tiger. The chapter shows why biodiversity must be conserved.

Detailed Worksheet: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Section A - Definitions (10 marks) 1. What is natural vegetation? What is virgin vegetation? (2 marks) 2. What is an ecosystem? What is a biome? (2 marks) 3. Distinguish between flora and fauna. (2 marks) 4. What are biosphere reserves? Name two in India. (2 marks) 5. Name two trees each of tropical evergreen and tropical deciduous forests. (2 marks) Section B - Calculations and Applications (15 marks) 6. India has about 47,000 plant species, of which about 15,000 are flowering plants. Find the percentage of flowering plants, correct to one decimal place. (3 marks) 7. Classify these places by vegetation type based on annual rainfall: a place with 250 cm, a place with 120 cm, a place with 50 cm, and a place with 80 cm. Name one tree for each. (3 marks) 8. A forest area of 8,000 hectares loses 2.5% of its area every year. How much forest is left after 2 years, correct to the nearest hectare? (3 marks) 9. India's tiger population was about 1,411 in 2006 and about 3,682 in 2022. Find the increase and the percentage increase, correct to the nearest whole number. (3 marks) 10. In the Himalayas, list the vegetation found at heights of 1,000 to 2,000 m, 1,500 to 3,000 m and above 3,600 m. Name one tree or plant for each. (3 marks) Section C - Diagrams (10 marks) 11. On an outline map of India, mark the areas of tropical evergreen forests, thorn forests, mangrove forests and montane forests. (4 marks) 12. Draw a diagram showing the change in vegetation with altitude in the Himalayas. (3 marks) 13. On an outline map of India, mark the Gir forest, Sundarbans, Kaziranga and Nilgiri biosphere reserve. (3 marks) Section D - Analysis and Higher-order Thinking (15 marks) 14. Describe the main features of tropical evergreen and tropical deciduous forests. Compare them in a table. (5 marks) 15. Explain the factors that affect the variety of flora and fauna in India. (5 marks) 16. Why are many species of plants and animals endangered in India? What steps has the government taken to protect them? (5 marks) Instructions: Time allowed 2 hours. Attempt all sections. Give names of trees and animals with their regions wherever possible.