Chapter 5 – Natural Vegetation
- What is natural vegetation?
Natural vegetation refers to plant life that grows in an area without human interference. It depends on climate, soil, and topography. - What are the main types of natural vegetation in India?
India has Tropical Evergreen, Tropical Deciduous, Thorny Scrub, Montane Forests, and Mangroves. - What is tropical evergreen forest?
Dense forests found in high rainfall areas (over 200 cm), with tall trees and thick canopy. Found in Western Ghats, Andaman-Nicobar, and NE India. - What are characteristics of tropical deciduous forests?
They shed leaves in dry seasons and are the most widespread in India. Divided into moist (100–200 cm rainfall) and dry deciduous (50–100 cm). - Where are moist deciduous forests found?
In eastern India, foothills of Himalayas, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Western Odisha. Teak, sal, and shisham are common trees. - What are dry deciduous forests?
Found in low rainfall areas like UP, MP, Rajasthan. Trees like acacia and babool are common, with open canopies and shrubs. - What is thorn forest and scrub?
Found in arid areas with less than 50 cm rainfall (Rajasthan, Gujarat). Trees are scattered and have long roots, thick bark, and spines. - What is montane forest?
Found in hilly areas. Divided into temperate and alpine zones. Temperate forests (1000–2000m) have oaks, pines; alpine (above 3000m) has mosses, lichens. - What are mangrove forests?
Salt-tolerant trees found in coastal tidal areas. Found in Sundarbans (West Bengal), deltas of Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna. - What is the importance of mangroves?
Mangroves protect coastlines from erosion and storms, support biodiversity, and act as breeding grounds for fish and birds. - Which is the largest mangrove forest in India?
The Sundarbans in West Bengal, shared with Bangladesh, is the largest mangrove region and home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. - What factors affect natural vegetation?
Climate (rainfall, temperature), soil, altitude, slope, and human interference affect vegetation distribution and type. - How does rainfall affect vegetation?
More rainfall leads to dense forests; moderate rainfall supports deciduous trees; low rainfall leads to grasslands and thorny vegetation. - How does temperature influence vegetation?
High temperatures with high rainfall support tropical forests, while low temperatures in the Himalayas support alpine and temperate vegetation. - What is forest cover in India as per latest reports?
According to India State of Forest Report, forest cover is around 24% of total geographical area, below the target of 33%. - What are biosphere reserves?
Large protected areas that conserve biodiversity, support research, and sustainable development. Example: Nilgiri, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi. - What is a national park?
A reserved area for wildlife conservation without human interference. Hunting, grazing, and forestry are banned. Example: Jim Corbett National Park. - What is a wildlife sanctuary?
Protected area where wildlife is safeguarded, but some human activities may be allowed. Example: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. - What is a reserved forest?
Forests protected under law with full government control. Cutting trees and grazing is prohibited. They cover about half of India’s forest area. - What are protected forests?
Forests protected from excessive deforestation, but some human use is allowed under regulation. Managed by the government. - What are unclassed forests?
Forests not classified under any category. Mostly in northeastern states and Andaman-Nicobar Islands, managed by communities or state. - What is the role of forests in ecology?
Forests regulate climate, maintain rainfall, reduce erosion, purify air, support biodiversity, and provide resources like timber and medicine. - What is deforestation?
Clearing of forests for agriculture, settlement, mining, etc. It leads to habitat loss, climate imbalance, and soil erosion. - What are the effects of deforestation?
Loss of biodiversity, climate change, desertification, floods, and increased greenhouse gases are major impacts of large-scale forest clearing. - What is afforestation?
Planting trees on barren or deforested land. It helps restore ecological balance and increase green cover. - What is reforestation?
Replanting trees in deforested areas. It may happen naturally or be planned by forest departments. - What is social forestry?
Planting trees by people for community benefit—fuelwood, fodder, shade, and environmental improvement. Encouraged through government schemes. - What is agroforestry?
Combining agriculture with tree planting on the same land. It boosts income, improves soil, and promotes sustainability. - Why are forests called ‘lungs of the Earth’?
Forests absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, essential for life. They act like lungs purifying the planet’s air. - What steps has India taken to protect forests?
Laws like Forest Conservation Act, National Afforestation Programme, and initiatives like Van Mahotsav encourage forest protection and awareness.