Class 9 Geography Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Class 9 Geography Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Biodiversity and Factors Affecting Vegetation
Q: What is meant by 'virgin vegetation'?
A: It refers to a plant community that has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time.
Q: What is the difference between 'flora' and 'fauna'?
A: Flora refers to the plants of a particular region or period, while fauna refers to the species of animals.
Q: Where does India rank in the world in terms of plant diversity?
A: India is one of the 12 mega bio-diversity countries of the world, ranking tenth globally and fourth in Asia.
Q: What are the primary 'relief' factors that affect the natural vegetation of a place?
A: The nature of the land (plains, mountains, plateaus) and the type of soil.
Q: What are the primary 'climatic' factors that determine vegetation?
A: Temperature, photoperiod (sunlight), and precipitation (rainfall).
Q: Why do trees grow faster in summer?
A: Due to the longer duration of sunlight (photoperiod) during the summer season.
Types of Natural Vegetation in India
Q: What are the five major types of natural vegetation found in India?
A: Tropical Evergreen Forests, Tropical Deciduous Forests, Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs, Montane Forests, and Mangrove Forests.
Q: In which regions are Tropical Evergreen Forests found?
A: They are found in areas receiving heavy rainfall of more than 200 cm, such as the Western Ghats, island groups, and upper parts of Assam.
Q: Name some commercially important trees of the Tropical Evergreen Forests.
A: Ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, and cinchona.
Q: Which is the most widespread forest type in India?
A: The Tropical Deciduous Forests (also called monsoon forests), which spread over regions receiving rainfall between 70 cm and 200 cm.
Q: Which is the most dominant tree species of the moist deciduous forests?
A: Teak, along with sal, peepal, and neem.
Q: What type of vegetation is found in regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall?
A: Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs, typically found in the northwestern part of the country (Gujarat, Rajasthan).
Q: How does vegetation change in mountainous (Montane) regions?
A: The decrease in temperature with increasing altitude leads to a corresponding change in natural vegetation, transitioning from tropical to temperate and finally to alpine vegetation.
Q: Where are Mangrove forests primarily found?
A: They are found in coastal areas influenced by tides, especially in the deltas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri.
Q: Which famous tree is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta that provides hard and durable timber?
A: The Sundari tree (after which the Sundarbans are named).
Wildlife and Conservation
Q: Approximately how many species of animals does India have?
A: India has approximately 90,000 animal species.
Q: Which is the most majestic animal among the mammals found in the hot wet forests of Assam, Karnataka, and Kerala?
A: The elephant.
Q: Where is the natural habitat of the Indian lion?
A: The Gir forest in Gujarat is the last remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion.
Q: Which animal is found in the swampy and marshy lands of Assam and West Bengal?
A: The One-horned rhinoceros.
Q: What is the natural habitat of the wild ass and camels in India?
A: The Rann of Kachchh (wild ass) and the Thar Desert (camels).
Q: What is a 'Biosphere Reserve'?
A: A protected area dedicated to the conservation of flora and fauna in their natural habitat, protecting genetic diversity.
Q: Name two prominent biosphere reserves in India that have been included in the world network of biosphere reserves.
A: The Sundarbans in West Bengal and the Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand (among several others like Gulf of Mannar and Nilgiris).
Q: What is the primary cause of the major threat to nature and the extinction of species?
A: Hunting by greedy hunters for commercial purposes, pollution, and clearing of forests for habitation and cultivation.
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