Environment.05.Terrestrial Ecosystem

www.pmfias.com http://www.youtube.com/c/PoorMansFriend www.pmfias.
com
Natural Ecosystem ................................. 1  Tropical and Mid Latitude Desert

Biome
Biomes or Terrestrial Ecosystems ........... 1
Aquatic ecosystem
Indian Biomes – Indian Forest Types .....11
 Plants and animal community found in
Grassland Ecosystem in India ...............21 water bodies. These can be further Page
classified into two sub groups.
|1
Desert Ecosystem ..................................22  Fresh water ecosystems, such as rivers,
lakes and ponds.
Natural Ecosystem  Marine ecosystems, such as oceans,
estuary and mangroves.
 A natural ecosystem is an assemblage
of plants and animals which functions Biomes or Terrestrial Ecosystems
as a unit and is capable of maintaining
its identity. There are two main  The terrestrial part of the biosphere is
categories of ecosystems. divisible into enormous regions called
biomes, which are characterized, by
Terrestrial ecosystem distinct climate [precipitation and
 Ecosystems found on land e.g. forest, temperature mainly], vegetation,
grasslands, deserts, tundra. animal life and general soil type.
 [They are nothing but ‘Climatic
Tundra Regions’
http://www.pmfias.com/climatic-
 Arctic and Alpine Tundra Biome regions-upsc-ias-geography/ explained
under Geography Section]
Forest
 No two biomes are alike. The climate
 Taiga or Boreal Biome [Coniferous determines the boundaries of a biome
forests] and abundance of plants and animals
 Temperate Deciduous Biome [North found in each one of them. The most
Western Europe] important climatic factors are
 Temperate Rainforest Biome temperature and precipitation.
 Sub-Tropical Deciduous Biome in
Eastern China, South Eastern USA
 Temperate Deciduous Biome
[Mediterranean Region]
 Tropical Deciduous Biome [Monsoon
Climate]
 Savanna or Tropical Wet and Dry
Biome
 Tropical Rain Forest Biome
Grassland
 Steppe or Temperate Grassland Biome

 Savanna or Tropical Wet and Dry
Biome [Tropical Grasslands]
Desert
Notes: https://www.instamojo.com/poormansfriend/
www.pmfias.com http://www.youtube.com/c/PoorMansFriend www.pmfias.com
Page
|2
Pic Credits:
http://www.chlive.org/pbeck/eastlibrary/BIOMES.gif
Pic Credits: http://sites.sinauer.com/ecology3e/problem/hop-

03-01-textfig03-04.jpg
Siberia and island group of Arctic

Ocean.
Tundra Biome  On the south pole, tundra is very small
since most of it is covered by ocean.
 There are two types of tundra – arctic  Alpine tundra occurs at high
and alpine. mountains above the tree line. E.g.
High ranges of Himalayas, Andes, Alps
Distribution
etc.
 Arctic tundra extends as a continuous
belt below the polar ice cap and above
the tree line (taiga) in the northern
hemisphere.
 It occupies the northern fringe of
Canada, Alaska, European Russia,
 Mammals of the tundra region have

large body size and small tail and ear
to avoid the loss of heat from the
surface [less surface area = less heat
loss = less food required to produce
heat]. Page
Taiga or Boreal Biome |3
Temperature
 The tundra climate is characterized by

a very low mean annual temperature.
 In mid-winter temperatures are as low
as 40 – 50 °C below freezing.
Precipitation
 Precipitation is mainly in the form of

snow and sleet.
Temperature
Natural Vegetation
 Summers are brief and warm reaching
 There are no trees in the tundra 20-25 °C whereas winters are long and
(Ground is frozen). Lowest form of brutually cold – 30-40 °C below
vegetation like mosses, lichens etc. are freezing.
found here and there.
Precipitation
 Coastal lowlands support hardy
grasses and the reindeer moss which  Typical annual precipitation ranges
provide the only pasturage for from 38 cm to 63 cm.
reindeers.  It is quite well distributed throughout
 In the brief summer, berry-bearing the year, with a summer maxima.
bushes and Arctic flowers bloom.  In winter the precipitation is in the
 In the summer, birds migrate north to form of snow.
prey on the numerous insects which
emerge when the snow thaws. Soil
 Insects have short life cycles which are
completed during favourable period of  Boreal forest soils are characterized by
the year. thin podozols and are rather poor.
 Animals like the reindeer, arctic fox,  This is because the weathering of rocks
wolves, musk-ox, polar bear, proceeds slowly in cold environments
lemming, arctic hare, arctic willow and because the litter derived from
etc. live in tundra region. conifer needle (leaf) is decomposed very
 Reptiles and amphibians are almost slowly and is not rich in nutrients.
absent. Moreover conifers don not shed their
leaves frequently.
 Most of the animals have long life e.g.
arctic willow has a life span of 150 to  Most podzols are poor soils for
300 years. agriculture due to the sandy portion,
resulting in a low level of moisture
 They are protected from chillness by
and nutrients.
the presence of thick cuticle and
epidermal hair or fur.
 Some are sandy and excessively thick, leathery and needle-shaped to

drained. Others have shallow rooting check excessive transpiration.
zones and poor drainage due to subsoil  The soils of the coniferous forests are
cementation. poor. They are excessively leached and
 A low pH (acidic) further compounds very acidic.
issues, along with phosphate  Humus content is also low as the Page
deficiencies and aluminium toxicity. evergreen leaves barely fall and the rate
 The low pH (acidic) factor is due to of decomposition is slow. |4
excessive leaching of alkaline  Under-growth is negligible because of
oriented cations which if present the poor soil conditions.
would neutralize the organic acids of  Absence of direct sunlight and the
the accumulating litter. short duration of summer are other
contributory factors.
Natural Vegetation  Coniferous forests are also found in
 The predominant vegetation is regions with high elevation [Example:
evergreen coniferous forest. The forests just below the snowline in
 Conifers are evergreen plant species Himalayas].
such as Spruce, fir and pine trees, etc.  But on very steep slopes where soils
 The conifers require little moisture are are immature or non-existent, even the
best suited to this type of sub-Arctic conifer cannot survive [Example:
climate. Southern slopes of Greater Himalayas].
 The productivity and community Temperate Deciduous Biome
stability of a boreal forest are lower
than those of any other forest
[North Western Europe]
ecosystem.
 Animals found in this region include
Siberian tiger, wolverine, lynx, wolf,
bear, red fox, squirrel, and amphibians
like Hyla, Rana, etc.
Characteristics of Coniferous forests
 Unlike the equatorial rain forests,

Coniferous forests are of moderate
density and are more uniform. The  Moderately warm summers and fairly
trees in coniferous forests grow straight mild winters.
and tall. Temperature
 Almost all conifers are evergreen.
There is no annual replacement of new  The mean annual temperatures are
leaves as in deciduous trees. usually between 5° C and 15° C.
 The same leaf remains on the tree for  Winters are abnormally mild. This is
as long as five years. Food is stored in because of the warming effect brought
the trunks, and the bark is thick to by warm North Atlantic Drift.
protect the trunk from excessive cold. [Eastern Australian warm current in
 Conifers are conical in shape. Their case of New Zealand]
conical shape and sloping branches
prevent snow accumulation. It also Precipitation
offers little grip to the winds.
 Rainfall occurs throughout the year
 Transpiration can be quite rapid in the
with winter maxima.
warm summer. So, leaves are small,
 Adequate rainfall throughout the year.
Seasons Temperate Rainforest Biome

 As in other temperate regions there are  Temperate rain forests receive an
four distinct seasons. annual precipitation of 200 cm, mostly
 Winter is the season of cloudy skies, due to on shore westerlies.
foggy and misty mornings, and many  Precipitation occurs in the form of fog, Page
rainy days from the passing rain as well as snow. Fog is quite
depressions. (Trees shed their leaved in common and is an important source of | 5
winter to prevent snow accumulation water.
and protect themselves from severe
cold) Distribution
 Spring is the driest and the most
refreshing season when people emerge  This is a small biome in terms of area
from the depressing winter to see covered. The main stretch of this
everything becoming green again. habitat is along the northwestern coast
 This is followed by the long, sunny of North America from northern
summer. California though southern Alaska.
 Next is the autumn with the roar of There are also small areas in southern
gusty winds; and the cycle repeats Chile, New Zealand, Australia and a
itself. few other places around the world.
 This type of climate with its four
distinct seasons is something that is
conspicuously absent in the tropics.
[Rainforest == Only Rainy season,
Tropical Monsoon == Summer, Winter
and Rainy, Tropical Savanna ==
Summer (rains) and Winter]
Natural Vegetation
 Soils of temperate forests are podozolic

and fairly deep. Natural Vegetation
 The natural vegetation of this climatic
type is deciduous forest.  Big coniferous trees dominate this
 The trees shed their leaves in the cold habitat, including Douglas fir,
season. Western red cedar, Mountain
 This is an adaptation for protecting hemlock, Western hemlock, Sitka
themselves against the winter snow spruce and Lodgepole pine.
and frost.  In addition to the trees, mosses and
 Shedding begins in autumn, the ‘fall’ lichens are very common, often growing
season. Growth begins in spring. as epiphytes.
 Some of the common species include  Grizzly Bears are the common
oak, elm, ash, birch, beech, and mammals found in Alaska.
poplar.
 In the wetter areas grow willows (Light
Sub-Tropical Deciduous Biome in
weight cricket bats are made from Eastern China, South Eastern USA
willows. In India willows are found in
Kashmir).
 Most animals are the familiar
vertebrates and invertebrates.
Steppe or Temperate Grassland

Biome
Page
Climate |6
 Characterized by a warm moist

summer and a cool, dry winter (one
exception: winters are also moist in
Natal Type).
Temperature
 The mean monthly temperature varies

Name of the Region
between 4° C and 25° C and is strongly
Temperate
modified by maritime influence.
Grassland
Precipitation Pustaz Hungary and
surrounding regions
 Rainfall is more than moderate, Prairies North America
anything from 60 cm to 150 cm. [between the
 There is the fairly uniform foothills of the
distribution of rainfall throughout Rockies and the
the year. Great Lakes]
Pampas Argentina and
Natural Vegetation Uruguay [Rain-
 Supports a luxuriant vegetation. shadow effect]
 The lowlands carry both evergreen Bush-veld (more Northern South
broad-leaved forests and deciduous tropical) Africa
trees [hardwood]. High Veld (more Southern South
 On the highlands, are various species temperate) Africa
of conifers such as pines and cypresses Downs Australia: Murray-
which are important softwoods. Darling basin of
southern Australia
 Perennial plant growth is not checked
by either a dry season or a cold season. Canterbury New Zealand
Page
|7
Trees
Temperature  Polewards, an increase in precipitation

gives rise to a transitional zone of
 Climate is continental with extremes wooded steppes where some conifers
of temperature. gradually appear.
 Temperatures vary greatly between
summer and winter. Animals
Precipitation  Does not have much animal diversity.

 Horses are common in Asian Steppes.
 The average rainfall may be taken as
about 45 cm, but this varies according Temperate Deciduous Biome
to location from 25 cm to 75 cm. [Mediterranean Region]
Natural Vegetation of Steppe Climate
Grasses
 Greatest difference from the tropical

savanna is that steppes are practically
treeless and the grasses are much
shorter.
 Grasses are fresh and nutritious. This
is typical of the grass of the wheat-
lands in North America, the rich black
earth or chernozem areas of Russian
Ukraine and the better watered areas
of the Asiatic Steppes.
 Parts of the world that have  Monthly mean temperatures above 18

Mediterranean type of climate are °C.
characterized by warm, dry summers  Temperatures range from 30-45° C in
and cool, moist winters. summer.
 Trees with small broad leaves are  In winters, temperature range is 15-30°
widely spaced and never very tall. C with mean temperature around 20- Page
 Regions with adequate rainfall are 25° C.
inhabited by low broad leafed evergreen |8
trees [mostly evergreen oaks]. Precipitation
 Fire is an important hazardous factor  Annual mean rainfall ranges from 200-
in this ecosystem and the adaptation of 250 cm. In some regions it is around
the plants enable them to regenerate 350 cm.
quickly after being burnt.
 Places like Cherrapunji & Mawsynram
 Plants are in a continuous struggle receive an annual rainfall of about
against heat, dry air, excessive 1000 cm.
evaporation and prolonged droughts.
 They are, in short xerophytic [drought Tropical Monsoon Forests
tolerant], a word used to describe the
drought-resistant plants in an  Also known as drought-deciduous
environment deficient in moisture. forest; dry forest; dry-deciduous
forest; tropical deciduous forest.
Tropical Deciduous Biome  Teak, neem, bamboos, sal, shisham,
[Monsoon Climate] sandalwood, khair, mulberry are
some of the important species found
 Unlike equatorial wet climate, monsoon here.
climate is characterized by distinct
wet and dry seasons associated with Savanna or Tropical Wet and Dry
seasonal reversal of winds. Biome
 Floods in wet season and droughts in
dry season are common.  This type of biome has alternate wet
 Usually there are three seasons namely and dry seasons similar to monsoon
summer, winter and rainy season. climate but has considerably less
annual rainfall.
 Also, there is no distinct rainy season
like in monsoon climate. [Only two
seasons – winter and summer. Rains
occur in summer].
 Floods and droughts are common.
 Vegetation, wildlife and human life are
quite different from monsoon climate
regions.
Temperature
 Many trees are umbrella shaped,

exposing only a narrow edge to the
strong winds.
 In true savanna lands, the grass is tall
and coarse, growing 6 to 12 feet high.
The elephant grass may attain a Page
height of even 15 feet.
 Grasses appear greenish and well- | 9
nourished in the rainy season but
turns yellow and dies down in the dry
season that follows.
 As the rainfall diminishes towards the
deserts the savanna merges into thorny
scrub.
Animal Life of the Savanna

Rainfall  There are two main groups of animals
in the savanna, the grass-eating
 Mean annual rainfall ranges from 80 – herbivorous animals and the fleshing-
160 cm [Rainfall decreases with eating carnivorous animals.
distance from equator].  The herbivorous include the zebra,
Temperature antelope, giraffe, deer, gazelle, elephant
etc. [most of the National geographic
 Mean annual temperature is greater and Animal Planet documentaries on
than 18° C. wild animals are shot in savanna
 The monthly temperature hovers regions] and carnivorous animals
between 20° C and 32° C for lowland include the lion, tiger, leopard, hyena,
stations. panther, jaguar, jackal etc..
 Species of reptiles and mammals
Natural Vegetation of Savanna Climate including crocodiles, alligators, giant
lizards live together with the larger
 The savanna landscape is typified by
rhinoceros and hippopotamus in rivers
tall grass and short trees.
and marshy lakes.
 The grasslands are also called as
‘bush-veld’. Tropical Rain Forest Biome
 The trees are deciduous, shedding
their leaves in the cool, dry season to  Also known as ‘The Hot, Wet
prevent excessive loss of water through Equatorial Climate’, ‘Equatorial
transpiration, e.g. acacias. Rainforest Climate’.
 Trees usually have broad trunks, with  The regions are generally referred as
water-storing devices to survive ‘Equatorial Rainforests’, ‘Equatorial
through the prolonged drought. Evergreen Forests’, ‘Tropical Moist
Broadleaf Forest’, ‘Lowland  All plants struggle upwards (most

Equatorial Evergreen Rainforest’. ephiphytes) for sunlight resulting in a
peculiar layer
arrangement
[Canopy].
Epiphyte Page
(Commensalism – | 10
Epiphyte benefits
without troubling
the host):
An epiphyte is a
Temperature plant that grows harmlessly upon
another plant (such as a tree) and
 Temperature is uniform throughout derives its moisture and nutrients from
the year. the air, rain, and sometimes from
 The mean monthly temperatures are debris accumulating around it.
always around 27° C with very little
variation. Q1. Which of the following is/are
 There is no winter. [Typical to unique characteristic/characteristics of
Equatorial Rainforest Climate] equatorial forests?
Precipitation 1. Presence of tall, closely set trees

with crowns forming a continuous
 Precipitation is heavy and well canopy
distributed throughout the year. 2. Coexistence of a large number of
 Annual average is always above 150 species
cm. In some regions the annual 3. Presence of numerous varieties of
average may be as high as 250 – 300 epiphytes
cm.
Select the correct answer using the code
Equatorial Vegetation given below:
 High temperature and abundant a) 1 only

rainfall support a luxuriant tropical b) 2 and 3 only
rain forest. c) 1 and 3 only
 In the Amazon lowlands, the forest is d) 1, 2 and 3
so dense that it is called ‘selvas'.
Answer: Too easy. d) All
[selvas: A dense tropical rainforest
usually having a cloud cover (dense Desert Biome
canopy)]
 Unlike the temperate regions, the  Deserts are regions where evaporation
growing season here is all the year exceeds precipitation.
round-seeding, flowering, fruiting and  There are mainly two types – hot like
decaying do not take place in a the hot deserts of the Saharan type
seasonal pattern. and temperate as are the mid-latitude
 The equatorial vegetation comprises a deserts like the Gobi.
multitude of evergreen trees that yield
tropical hardwood, e.g. mahogany,
ebony, dyewoods etc.
 In the coastal areas and brackish
swamps, mangrove forests thrive.
 Deserts, whether hot or mid-latitude

have an annual precipitation of less
than 25 cm.
Temperature of Hot deserts
 There is no cold season in the hot Page

deserts and the average summer
| 11
temperature is high around 30°C.
 The highest temperature recorded is
57.77° C in 1922 at A1 Azizia, Libya.
Hot Deserts
Desert Vegetation
 They include the biggest Sahara Desert
(3.5 million square miles), Great  The predominant vegetation of both hot
Australian Desert, Arabian Desert, and mid-latitude deserts is xerophytic
Iranian Desert, Thar Desert, Kalahari or drought-resistant.
and Namib Deserts.  This includes the cacti, thorny bushes,
 In North America, the desert extends long-rooted wiry grasses and scattered
from Mexico into U.S.A. and is called dwarf acacias.
by different names at different places,  Trees are rare except where there is
e.g. the Mohave, Sonoran, Californian abundant ground water to support
and Mexican Deserts. clusters of date palms.
 In South America, the Atacama or  Most desert shrubs have long roots and
Peruvian Desert is the driest of all are well spaced out to gather moisture,
deserts with less than 2 cm of rainfall and search for ground water. Plants
annually. have few or no leaves and the foliage is
either waxy, leathery, hairy or
Mid-Latitude Deserts needle-shaped to reduce the loss of
water through transpiration.
 The temperate deserts are rainless  The seeds of many species of grasses
because of either continentiality or and herbs have thick, tough skins to
rain-shadow effect. [Gobi desert is protect them while they lie dormant.
formed due to continentiality and
Patagonian desert due to rain-shadow
effect]
 Amongst the mid-latitude deserts,
many are found on plateau and are at a
considerable distance from the sea.
These are Ladakh, The Kyzyl Kum,
Turkestan, Taklimakan and Gobi
deserts of Central Asia, drier
portions of the Great Basin Desert of
the western United States and
Patagonian Deserts of Argentina etc..
 The Patagonian Desert is more due to
its rain-shadow position on the leeward
side of the lofty Andes than to
continentiality.
Indian Biomes – Indian Forest
Types
Rainfall (Both Hot and Cold deserts)
 Classification of Natural Vegetation of 2. Tropical Semi-Evergreen

India is primarily based on spatial and 3. Tropical Moist Deciduous
annual variations in rainfall. 4. Littoral and Swamp
Temperature, soil and topography are
also considered. B. Dry Tropical Forest
1. Tropical Dry Evergreen Page

Annual Rainfall Type of Vegetation
2. Tropical Dry Deciduous
200 cm or Evergreen Rain | 12
3. Tropical Thorn
more Forests
100 to 200 cm Monsoon Deciduous C. Montane Sub-tropical Forests
Forests
50 to 100 cm Drier Deciduous or 1. Sub-tropical broad leaved hill
Tropical Savanna 2. Sub-tropical moist hill (pine)
3. Sub-tropical dry evergreen
25 to 50 cm Dry Thorny Scrub
(Semi-arid) D. Montane Temperate Forests
Below 25 cm Desert (Arid)
 Temperature is the major factor in 1. Montane Wet Temperate
Himalayas and other hilly regions with 2. Himalayan Moist Temperate
an elevation of more than 900 metres. 3. Himalayan Dry Temperate
 As the temperature falls with altitude E. Alpine Forests
in the Himalayan region the vegetal
cover changes with altitude from 1. Sub-Alpine
tropical to sub-tropical, temperate 2. Moist Alpine scrub
and finally alpine. 3. Dry Alpine scrub
 Soil is an equally determining factor in
few regions. Mangrove forests, swamp Forest Type in India % of Total Area
forests are some of the examples where Tropical Moist 37
soil is the major factor. Deciduous
 Topography is responsible for certain Tropical Dry 28
minor types e.g. alpine flora, tidal Deciduous
forests, etc.. Tropical Wet 8
 India's vegetation can be divided into 5 Evergreen
main types and 16 sub-types as given Sub-Tropical Moist 6
below. Hill
Tropical Semi- 4
A. Moist Tropical Forests Evergreen
Rest below 4 %
1. Tropical Wet Evergreen
Page
| 13
c) Exotic and invasive species have not

been introduced in this region.
The above map is very important. d) It has less human interference.
Questions like “Which type of
vegetation is found in which state” are
very frequently asked.
Q2. The Himalayan Range is very rich

in species diversity. Which one among
the following is the most appropriate
reason for this phenomenon?
a) It has a high rainfall that supports
luxuriant vegetative growth.
b) It is a confluence of different bio
geographical zones.
Explanation: 2. The annual temperature is about

25°-27°C
Options c) and d) are wrong statements. 3. The average annual humidity
Options a) and b) are correct statements. exceeds 77 per cent and
4. The dry season is distinctly short.
Greater Diversity is due to Page
Characteristics
1. various types of forests found along the | 14
Himalayas Ranges [Shiwaliks,  Evergreen: Due to high heat and
Himachal and Himadri]. high humidity, the trees of these
2. Vertical zonation of vegetation [chief forests do not shed their leaves
characteristic of Himachal and together.
Himadri].  Trees are Mesosphytic: Plants
adopted to neither too dry nor too
Answer is b) wet type climate.
Q3. Which one of the following regions What are mesophytes?

of India has a combination of mangrove  Unlike hydrophytic plants, such as
forest, evergreen forest and deciduous water lily or pondweed, that grow in
forest? saturated soil or water, or
xerophytic plants, such as cactus,
a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh that grow in extremely dry soil,
b) South-West Bengal
mesophytes are ordinary plants that
c) Southern Saurashtra exist between the two extremes.
d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
 Mesophytic environments are
Explanation: marked by average to hot
temperatures and soil that is
North Coastal Andhra Pradesh has neither too dry nor too wet.
deciduous and mangrove forests.  Lofty: The trees often reach 45 – 60
metres in height.
South West Bengal has mangrove, semi-
 Thick Canopy: From the air, the
evergreen and moist deciduous.
tropical rain forest appears like a
Southern Saurashtra has dry deciduous thick canopy of foliage, broken only
and tropical thorn. where it is crossed by large rivers or
cleared for cultivation.
Answer: d) Andaman and Nicobar  All plants struggle upwards (most
Islands ephiphytes) for sunlight resulting in
a peculiar layer arrangement. The
Moist Tropical Forests entire morphology looks like a green
carpet when viewed from above.
1. Tropical Wet Evergreen
 Less undergrowth: The sun light
2. Tropical Semi-Evergreen
cannot reach the ground due to
3. Tropical Moist Deciduous
thick canopy. The undergrowth is
4. Littoral and Swamp
formed mainly of bamboos, ferns,
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests or Rain climbers, orchids, etc.
Forests
Distribution
Climatic Conditions 1. Western side of the Western Ghats
1. Annual rainfall exceeds 250 cm (500 to 1370 metres above sea
level).
2. Some regions in the Purvanchal Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

hills.
3. In the Andaman and Nicobar  They are transitional forests
Islands. between tropical wet evergreen
forests and tropical deciduous
Q4. Consider the following States: forests.
Page
 They are comparatively drier areas
1) Arunachal Pradesh
compared to tropical wet evergreen | 15
2) Himachal Pradesh
forests.
3) Mizoram
Climatic Conditions
In which of the following states do
“Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests” occur?  Annual rainfall is 200-250 cm
a) 1 only  Mean annual temperature varies
b) 2 and 3 only from 24°C to 27°C
c) 1 and 3 only  The relative humidity is about 75
d) 1, 2 and 3 per cent
 The dry season is not short like in
Explanation: tropical evergreen forests.
Himachal Pradesh has many varieties Distribution
of forests but not wet evergreen.
 Western coast
Purvanchal hills start at the syntaxial  Assam
bend (Namcha Barwa) which is in  Lower slopes of the Eastern
Arunachal Pradesh. Wet Evergreen Himalayas
forests are scattered all along the  Odisha and
Purvanchal hills.  Andamans.
Answer: c) 1 and 3 only Characteristics
Timber  The semi-
 Hardwood: The timber of these evergreen
forests is fine-grained, hard and forests are less
durable. dense.
 It has high commercial value but it  They are more
is highly challenging to exploit due gregarious
to dense undergrowth, absence of (living in flocks
pure stands and lack of transport or colonies –
facilities [Read previous posts on more pure
Climatic regions stands) than the wet evergreen
http://www.pmfias.com/climatic- forests.
regions-upsc-ias-geography/ to  These forests are characterized by
understand how lumbering industry many species.
works in Equatorial Rainforests  Trees usually have buttressed
(hardwood) and Taiga Climatic trunks with abundant epiphytes.
(softwood) conditions].  The important species are laurel,
 The important species of these rosewood, mesua, thorny bamboo
forests are mahogany, mesua, – Western Ghats, white cedar,
white cedar, jamun, canes, Indian chestnut, champa, mango,
bamboo etc. etc. – Himalayan region.
Timber Timber
 Hardwood: Similar to that in tropical  These provide valuable timer like

evergreen forests except that these Teak.
forests are less dense with more  The main species found in these
pure stands (timber industry here is forests are teak, sal, laurel,
better than in evergreen forests). rosewood, amla, jamun, bamboo, Page
etc. | 16
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests  It is comparatively easy to exploit
these forests due to their high
Climatic Conditions
degree of gregariousness (more
 Annual rainfall 100 to 200 cm. pure stands).
 Mean annual temperature of about
Q5. In India, in which one of the
27°C
following types of forests is teak a
 The average annual relative dominant tree species?
humidity of 60 to 75 per cent.
 Spring (between winter and a) Tropical moist deciduous forest
summer) and summer are dry. b) Tropical rain forest
c) Tropical thorn scrub forest
Characteristics d) Temperate forest with grasslands
 The trees drop their leaves during Answer: a)
the spring and early summer when
sufficient moisture is not available. Littoral and Swamp Forests
 The general appearance is bare in
extreme summers (April-May).  They can survive and grow both in
 Tropical moist deciduous forests fresh as well as brackish water.
present irregular top storey [25 to
Brackish Water: The mixture of seawater
60 m].
and fresh water in estuaries is called
 Heavily buttressed trees and fairly
brackish water and its salinity can range
complete undergrowth.
from 0.5 to 35 ppt).
 These forests occupy a much larger
area than the evergreen forests but  Occur in and around the deltas,
large tracts under these forests have estuaries and creeks prone to tidal
been cleared for cultivation. influences (delta or tidal forests).
 Littoral (relating to or on the shore
Distribution
of the sea or a lake) forests occur at
 Belt running along the Western several places along the coast.
Ghats surrounding the belt of  Swamp forests are confined to the
evergreen forests. deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi,
 A strip along the Shiwalik range the Godavari, the Krishna and the
including terai and bhabar from 77° Cauvery.
E to 88° E.  Dense mangroves occur all along the
 Manipur and Mizoram. coastline in sheltered estuaries,
 Hills of eastern Madhya Pradesh tidal creeks, backwaters, salt
and Chhattisgarh. marshes and mudflats. It provides
 Chota Nagpur Plateau. useful fuel wood.
 Most of Odisha.  The most pronounced and the
 Parts of West Bengal and densest is the Sunderban in the
 Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Ganga delta where the predominant

species is Sundri (Heriteera).
Timber
 It provides hard and durable timber

which is used for construction, Page
building purposes and making
| 17
boats.
 The important species found in  It resembles feathery conifer in
these forests are Sundri, agar, general appearance.
rhizophora, screw pines, canes  They are rapid-growing, carefree
and palms, etc. species for sites and climates as
varied as coastal sand dunes, high
Dry Tropical Forests mountain slopes, hot humid tropics,
and semi-arid regions.
1. Tropical Dry Evergreen  They have the ability to fix
2. Tropical Dry Deciduous
atmospheric nitrogen. It grows 15
3. Tropical Thorn to 25 metres in height on an
Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests average.
Distribution
Distribution  Casuarina is the most popular farm
forestry in the states of Andhra
 Along the coasts of Tamil Nadu. Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal,
Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and
Climatic Conditions
Karnataka.
 Annual rainfall of 100 cm [mostly Benefits
from the north-east monsoon winds  Reduces damage in the event of
in October – December]. natural calamities.
 Mean annual temperature is about  Line planting in the coastal areas
28°C. helps in controlling the wind force.
 The mean humidity is about 75 per  It is also used for tourism promotion
cent. in view of its ornamental
 The growth of evergreen forests in appearance.
areas of such low rainfall is a bit  It provides top quality firewood.
strange.  The wood is suitable for paper pulp
and useful raw material for the
Characteristics manufacture of paper for writing,
printing, and wrapping.
 Short statured trees, up to 12 m  It is got some serious medicinal
high, with complete canopy. values as well.
 Bamboos and grasses not Wasteland development
conspicuous.  The characteristics which make it a
 The important species are jamun, suitable species for wasteland
tamarind, neem, etc. development include adaptability to
 Most of the land under these forests wide range of habitats, fast growth,
has been cleared for agriculture or salt tolerant, drought resistant,
casuarina plantations. ability to reclaim land and stabilize
sand dunes.
Casuarina plantation
 Intercrops such as groundnut,
cucumber, watermelons, sesamum,  Mean temperature is 25°-30°C.

and pulses can also be raised along
with the plantation. Characteristics
Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests
 The trees are low (6 to 10 metres
Climatic Conditions maximum) and widely scattered.
 Acacias and Euphorbias are very Page
 Annual rainfall is 100-150 cm. prominent. | 18
 The Indian wild date is common.
Characteristics Some grasses also grow in the rainy
season.
 These are similar to moist
deciduous forests and shed their Distribution
leaves in dry season.
 The major difference is that they can  Rajasthan, south-western Punjab,
grow in areas of comparatively less western Haryana, Kachchh and
rainfall. neighbouring parts of Saurashtra.
 They represent a transitional type -  Here they degenerate into desert
moist deciduous on the wetter side type in the Thar desert.
and thorn forests on the drier side.  Such forests also grow on the
 They have closed but uneven leeside of the Western Ghats
canopy. covering large areas of Maharashtra,
 The forests are composed of a Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra
mixture of a few species of Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
deciduous trees rising up to a height  The important species are neem,
of 20 metres. babul, cactii, etc.
 Undergrowth: Enough light reaches
the ground to permit the growth of Montane Sub-Tropical Forests
grass and climbers.
1. Sub-tropical broad leaved hill
Distribution 2. Sub-tropical moist hill (pine)
3. Sub-tropical dry evergreen
 They occur in an irregular wide strip
running from the foot of the Sub-tropical Broad-leaved Hill Forests
Himalayas to Kanniyakumari except
in Rajasthan, Western Ghats and Climatic conditions
West Bengal.
 Mean annual rainfall is 75 cm to
 The important species are teak, 125 cm.
axle wood, rosewood, common
 Average annual temperature is 18°-
bamboo, red sanders, laurel,
21°C.
satinwood, etc.
 Humidity is 80 per cent.
 Large tracts of this forest have been
cleared for agricultural purposes. Distribution
 These forests have suffer from over
grazing, fire, etc.  Eastern Himalayas to the east of
88°E longitude at altitudes varying
Tropical Thorn Forests from 1000 to 2000 m.
Climatic Conditions Characteristics
 Annual rainfall less than 75 cm.  Forests of evergreen species.

 Humidity is less than 50 per cent.
 Commonly found species are  Annual rainfall is 50-100 cm (15 to

evergreen oaks, chestnuts, ash, 25 cm in December-March).
beech, sals and pines.  The summers are sufficiently hot
 Climbers and epiphytes [a plant that and winters are very cold.
grows non-parasitically on a tree or
other plant] are common. Characteristics
Page
 These forests are not so distinct in  Low scrub forest with small | 19
the southern parts of the country. evergreen stunted trees and
They occur only in the Nilgiri and shrubs.
Palni hills at 1070-1525 metres
 Olive, acacia modesta and pistacia
above sea level.
are the most predominant species.
 It is a "stunted rain-forest" and is
not so luxuriant as the true Montane Temperate Forests
tropical evergreen.
 The higher parts of the Western 1. Montane Wet Temperate
Ghats such as Mahabaleshwar, the 2. Himalayan Moist Temperate
summits of the Satpura and the 3. Himalayan Dry Temperate
Maikal Range, highlands of Bastar
and Mt. Abu in the Aravali Range Montane Wet Temperate Forests
carry sub-types of these forests.
Climatic Conditions
Sub-tropical Moist Pine Forests
 Grows at a height of 1800 to 3000 m
Distribution above sea level
 Mean annual rainfall is 150 cm to
 Western Himalayas between 73°E 300 cm
and 88°E longitudes at elevations  Mean annual temperature is about
between 1000 to 2000 metres above 11°C to 14°C and the
sea level.  Average relative humidity is over 80
 Some hilly regions of Arunachal per cent.
Pradesh, Manipur, Naga Hills and
Khasi Hills. Distribution
Timber  Higher hills of Tamil Nadu and

Kerala, in the Eastern Himalayan
 Chir or Chil is the most dominant region.
tree which forms pure stands.
 It provides valuable timber for Characteristics
furniture, boxes and buildings.
 It is also used for producing resin  These are closed evergreen forests.
and turpentine. Trunks have large girth.
 Branches are clothed with mosses,
Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen Forests ferns and other epiphytes.
 The trees rarely achieve a height of
Distribution more than 6 metres.
 Deodar, Chilauni, Indian
 Found in the Bhabar, the Shiwaliks
chestnut, birch, plum, machilus,
and the western Himalayas up to
cinnamomum, litsea, magnolia,
about 1000 metres above sea level.
blue pine, oak, hemlock, etc. are
Climatic Conditions important species.
Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests
Climatic Conditions  Such areas are in Ladakh, Lahul,

Chamba, Kinnaur, Garhwal and
 Annual rainfall varies from 150 cm Sikkim.
to 250 cm
Alpine Forests
Distribution
 Occurs in the temperate zone of the  Altitudes ranging between 2,900 to Page
Himalayas between 1500 and 3300 3,500. | 20
metres.  These forests can be divided into: (1)
 Cover the entire length of this sub-alpine; (2) moist alpine scrub
mountain range in Kashmir, and (3) dry alpine scrub.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand,  The sub-alpine forests occur lower
Darjeeling and Sikkim. alpine scrub and grasslands.
 It is a mixture of coniferous and
Characteristics broad-leaved trees in which the
coniferous trees attain a height of
 Mainly composed of coniferous about 30 m while the broad leaved
species. trees reach only 10 m.
 Species occur in mostly pure  Fir, spruce, rhododendron, etc. are
strands. important species.
 Trees are 30 to 50 m high.  The moist alpine scrub is a low
 Pines, cedars, silver firs, spruce, evergreen dense growth of
etc. are most important trees. rhododendron, birch etc. which
 They form high but fairly open forest occurs from 3,000 metres and
with shrubby undergrowth extends up to snowline.
including oaks, rhododendrons and  The dry alpine scrub is the
some bamboos. uppermost limit of scrub xerophytic,
dwarf shrubs, over 3,500 metres
Timber
above sea level and found in dry
 It provides fine wood which is of zone. Juniper, honeysuckle,
much use for construction, timber artemesia etc. are important
and railway sleepers. species.
Himalayan Dry Temperate Forests Q6. If you travel through the

Himalayas, you are Likely to see which
Climatic Conditions of the following plants naturally
growing there?
 Precipitation is below 100 cm and is
mostly in the form of snow. 1. Oak
2. Rhododendron
Characteristics 3. Sandalwood
 Coniferous forests with Select the correct answer using the code
xerophytic shrubs in which given below
deodar, oak, ash, olive, etc are the
main trees. a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
Distribution c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
 Such forests are found in the inner
dry ranges of the Himalayas where Explanation:
south-west monsoon is very feeble.
Oaks occur in Sub-tropical Broad-leaved

Hill Forests, Montane Wet Temperate
Forests and Himalayan Dry Temperate
Forests [All these forest types are found in
Himalayan regions]
Rhododendron occur in sub-alpine cold Page

desert regions [Himalayan regions]. | 21
Sandalwood (Red Sanders) occur in Dry
Deciduous forests [Ganga plains, South
and Central India. ].
Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Which one of the following National

Parks has a climate that varies from
tropical to subtropical, temperate and
arctic?
a) Khangchendzonga National park

b) Nandadevi National Park
c) Neora Valley National Park
d) Namdapha National park
Explanation:
Grassland Ecosystem in India
Khangchendzonga National park and
Nandadevi National Park lies in Greater  The grasslands are found where rainfall
Himalayas (Conifer to Alpine climate) is about 25-75 cm per year.
 Grasslands are generally found in
Neora Valley National Park lies near temperate climates [Steppe Grasslands
Darjeeling (Shiwaliks) [Sub-tropical broad – tree less]. In India, they are found
leaved hill and Sub-tropical moist hill mainly in the high Himalayas.
(pine) forests].  The rest of India's grasslands are
Namdapha National park lies in mainly composed of savannas [Tropical
Purvanchal hills in Arunachal Pradesh. grasslands – trees like khetri, acacias,
shrubs, cacti intersperse (scatter
In the Namdapha National Park, located in among or between other things) here
Arunachal Pradesh, the climate varies and there].
from tropical to subtropical, temperate  The major difference between Indian
and arctic. It is tropical and subtropical in steppes and savannas is that all the
the southern region while it is of arctic forage (food for horses and cattle) in the
type in the northern part of the park. steppe is provided only during the brief
wet season whereas in the savannas
Answer: d) Namdapha National park forage is largely from grasses that not
only grow during the wet season but
also from the smaller amount of
regrowth in the dry season.
Types of Grasslands in India

Semi-arid zone
 It covers the northern portion of Central Arid Zone Research institute is

Gujarat, Rajasthan (excluding at Jodhpur.
Aravallis), western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi
and Punjab. Impact of grazing
 The topography is broken up by hill
spurs and sand dunes.  Due to heavy grazing the mulch cover
of the soil reduces and the soil is Page
Dry sub humid zone readily invaded by xerophytic plants. | 22
 Increased areas of bare soil creates a
 It covers the whole of peninsular India new habitat for burrowing animals
(except Nilgiri). such as mice, jack-rabbits, gophers,
Moist sub humid zone prairie dogs, locusts etc., which render
large areas of forage lands sterile.
 It covers the Ganga alluvial plain in  Soil surface is heavily trampled by
Northern India. cattle leading to pulverized (reduce to fine
 The topography is level, low lying and particles) top soil which is easily washed
ill-drained. away by rain.
 Soil trampled by cattle in wet season
Themeda creates puddling which reduce the
percolation of water. This leads to
 This extends to the humid montane quick water runoff and the rate of soil
regions and moist sub-humid areas of erosion increases.
Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Uttar
 Reduced percolation also lowers the
Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh
ground water table leading to water
and Jammu and Kashmir.
scarcity and drought in dry season.
 It is derived from the humid forests on
 Wind erosion becomes intense due to
account of shifting cultivation and
bare soil and this slowly leads to
sheep grazing.
desertification of grasslands.
Economic importance of  These changes contribute to the
reduction of energy flow, and the
grasslands disruption of the periodicity of the
primary producers.
 The livestock wealth plays a crucial role
 It results in a breakdown of the
in Indian life. It is a major source of
biogeochemical cycles of water, carbon
fuel, draught power, nutrition and raw
and nitrogen.
material for village industries.
 Grassland biomes are important to Role of fire
maintain the population of livestock
such as horse, mule, ass, cow, pig,  Fire plays an important role in the
sheep, goat, buffalo, camel, deer, zebra, management of grasslands.
etc.  Under moist conditions fire favors
 This huge mass of livestock needs grass over trees, whereas in dry
fodder for sustenance but there is not conditions fire is often necessary to
enough of it. Only about 13 million maintain grasslands against the
hectares in the country are classified as invasion of desert shrubs. Burning
permanent grazing lands. But they increases the forage yields (burning of
exist in a highly degraded state. grasses and shrubs adds lot of
Indian Grasslands and Fodder Research nutrients to the soil).
Institute is at Jhansi
Desert Ecosystem
 Deserts are formed in regions with less  Lizards are mostly insectivorous and
than 25 cm of annual rainfall. can live without drinking water for
 At high altitudes and at greater several days.
distance from the equator the deserts  Herbivorous animals get sufficient
are cold and near the equator and at water from the seeds which they eat.
low altitudes in tropics they are hot.  A few species of nocturnal rodents can Page
 The perennial plant species like bush, live in the desert without drinking
cactus, fetrocactus are scattered water. | 23
throughout the desert biomes.
 Where soils are suitable, irrigation can Indian Desert — Thar desert (hot)
convert deserts into some of the most
productive agricultural lands.  The climate of this region is
 As the large volume of water passes characterized by excessive drought, the
through the irrigation system, salts rainfall being scanty and irregular.
may be left behind that will gradually  The winter rains of northern India
accumulate over the years until they rarely penetrate into the region.
become limiting.  The cold season starts from about the
middle of November to the middle of
Adaptation March.
 This season is characterized by extreme
Desert plants conserve water by variations of temperature and the
following methods temperature is frequently below
freezing point at night.
 They are mostly shrubs.  During April to June the heat are
 They have deep roots. Root system intense, frequent scorching winds
spread over large area. prevail with great desiccating effect.
 Their epidermal layers are made up of  The relative humidity of the
thick cuticle. atmosphere is always low.
 Leaves are absent or reduced in size.  The climate is hostile to all vegetation,
 In some plants leaves are modified into only plants and animals possessing
thorns or spines that can carry out special adaptations being able to
photosynthesis. establish themselves.
 Leaves and stem are succulent (having
thick fleshy leaves or stems adapted to Flora
storing water) and water storing.
 In some plants even the stem contains  The proper desert plants may be
chlorophyll for photosynthesis. divided into two main groups.
 The seeds germinate only during the 1. depending directly upon on rain and
short rainy season. 2. those depending on the presence of
subterranean water.
Desert animals  The first group consists of two types:
1. the ‘ephemerals’ and
 They are fast runners. 2. the ‘rain perennials’.
 They are nocturnal in habit to avoid the  The ephemerals are delicate annuals,
sun's heat during day time. apparently free from any xerophilous
 They conserve water by excreting adaptations, having slender stems and
concentrated urine. root-systems and often large flowers.
 Animals and birds usually have long  They appear almost immediately after
legs to keep the body away from the hot rain, develop flowers and fruits in an
ground. incredibly short time, and die as soon
as the surface layer of the soil dries up.
 The rain perennials are visible above  Temperature less than 00 C for most of
the ground only during the rainy the period, drops to -500 C during
season, but have a perennial winter.
underground stem.  Mean annual rainfall less than 40 cm.
 Heavy snowfall occurs between
Fauna November and march. Page
 Soil type - sandy to sandy loam.
 It is home to some of India's most | 24
magnificent grasslands and sanctuary  Soil pH - neutral to slight alkaline.
for a charismatic bird, the Great  Soil nutrient - Poor organic matter
Indian Bustard. content.
 Among the mammal fauna, the  Soil has low water retention capacity.
blackbuck, wild ass, chinkara,  Wind erosion is more common.
caracal, sandgrouse and desert fox  Narrow growing period, mostly during
inhabit the open plains, grasslands, the summer.
and saline depressions.  Due to aforesaid extreme cold
 The nesting ground of Flamingoes and conditions, growth of vegetation is slow
the only known population of Asiatic and of stunted nature.
wild Ass lies in the remote part of
Bio-diversity
Great Rann, Gujarat.
 It is the migration flyway used by  Cold desert is the home of highly
cranes and flamingos. adaptive, rare endangered fauna, such
as Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Argali,
Indian Cold Desert/Temperate Ladakh Uriyal, Bharal, Tibetan
Desert Antelope (chiru), Tibetan Gazelle;
Wild Yak, Snow Leopard, Brown Bear,
 Cold desert of India include areas of Tibetan Wolf, Wild Dog and Tibetan
Ladakh, Leh and Kargil of Kashmir and Wild Ass ('Kiang' a close relative of
Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh and the Indian wild ass), Woolly hare,
some parts of northern Uttaranchal Black Necked Crane, etc.
and Sikkim.  Cold desert comprises of alpine
 These arid areas are not affected by the mesophytes [a plant needing only a moderate
Indian monsoons because they lie in amount of water] and desert vegetation.
the rain-shadow of the Himalayan
mountain systems. Desertification
 Characterized by extreme cold weather
and denuded terrain they are not  It is the destruction of the biological
suitable for plant growth. potential of the land which can
 Isolated, scattered and over grazed ultimately lead to desert like
herbaceous shrubs are found. Grazing conditions.
period is less than 3-4 months.  In arid and semiarid regions, the
 The flora and fauna is unique to the restoration of the fragile ecosystem is
area. Oak, pine, deodar, birch and very slow, and issues like deforestation,
rhododendron are the important trees mining enhances the desertification.
and bushes found there. Major animal  Desertification is a main problem faced
include yaks, dwarf cows, and goats. by desert adjoining areas, which
stretches across parts of Rajasthan,
Characteristics Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana.
 Severe arid conditions - Dry
Atmosphere.
 The cause of this process is not

climatic changes, droughts, etc. but
human actions.
 Increase in population and lack of
alternative employment opportunities
have left the people living in the Thar Page
desert with no choice but to continue
grazing cattle even in its inhospitable | 25
conditions.
Control measures
 India as a signatory to United Nations
Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) has
submitted National Reports to UNCCD
since 2000.
 The National Action Programme for
Combating Desertification was
prepared in 2001 to take appropriate
action in addressing the problems of
desertification.
 Some of the major programmes
currently implemented that address
issues related to land degradation and
desertification are
1. Integrated Watershed Management
Programme (IWMP),
2. National Afforestation Programme
(NAP),
3. National Mission for Green India
(GIM),
4. The Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme (MGNREGS),
5. Soil Conservation in the Catchment
of River Valley Project and Flood
Prone River,
6. National Watershed Development
Project for Rained Areas (NWDPRA),
7. Desert Development Programme
(DDP)
8. Fodder and Feed Development
Scheme-component of Grassland
Development including Grass
Reserves
9. Command Area Development and
Water Management (CADWM)
programme etc.

Environment.05.Terrestrial Ecosystem

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Environment.05.Terrestrial Ecosystem

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

www.pmfias.com http://www.youtube.com/c/PoorMansFriend www.pmfias.

Natural Ecosystem ................................. 1  Tropical and Mid Latitude Desert

 Steppe or Temperate Grassland Biome

Pic Credits: http://sites.sinauer.com/ecology3e/problem/hop-

Siberia and island group of Arctic

 Mammals of the tundra region have

 The tundra climate is characterized by

 Precipitation is mainly in the form of

 Some are sandy and excessively thick, leathery and needle-shaped to

Characteristics of Coniferous forests

 Unlike the equatorial rain forests,

Seasons Temperate Rainforest Biome

 Soils of temperate forests are podozolic

Steppe or Temperate Grassland

 Characterized by a warm moist

 The mean monthly temperature varies

Temperature  Polewards, an increase in precipitation

Precipitation  Does not have much animal diversity.

 Greatest difference from the tropical

 Parts of the world that have  Monthly mean temperatures above 18

 Many trees are umbrella shaped,

Animal Life of the Savanna

Broadleaf Forest’, ‘Lowland  All plants struggle upwards (most

Precipitation 1. Presence of tall, closely set trees

 High temperature and abundant a) 1 only

 Deserts, whether hot or mid-latitude

Temperature of Hot deserts

 There is no cold season in the hot Page

 Classification of Natural Vegetation of 2. Tropical Semi-Evergreen

1. Tropical Dry Evergreen Page

c) Exotic and invasive species have not

Q2. The Himalayan Range is very rich

Explanation: 2. The annual temperature is about

Q3. Which one of the following regions What are mesophytes?

2. Some regions in the Purvanchal Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

 Hardwood: Similar to that in tropical  These provide valuable timer like

Ganga delta where the predominant

 It provides hard and durable timber

cucumber, watermelons, sesamum,  Mean temperature is 25°-30°C.

 Annual rainfall less than 75 cm.  Forests of evergreen species.

 Commonly found species are  Annual rainfall is 50-100 cm (15 to

Timber  Higher hills of Tamil Nadu and

Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests

Climatic Conditions  Such areas are in Ladakh, Lahul,

Himalayan Dry Temperate Forests Q6. If you travel through the

Oaks occur in Sub-tropical Broad-leaved

Rhododendron occur in sub-alpine cold Page

Answer: a) 1 and 2 only

Which one of the following National

a) Khangchendzonga National park

Types of Grasslands in India

 It covers the northern portion of Central Arid Zone Research institute is

 The cause of this process is not

You might also like