Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs

Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation refers to plant communities that have grown on their own without human intervention and have been undisturbed by humans for a significant period. This untouched plant cover is often referred to as virgin vegetation. Therefore, cultivated crops, fruits, and orchards are not considered part of natural vegetation, as they are intentionally grown and managed by humans....

Types of Forests

The following major types of vegetation may be identified in our country:...

Natural Vegetation: Overview

Forest Type Location Rainfall Range Characteristics Common Species Tropical Evergreen Forests Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, etc. >200 cm – Dense, multilayered vegetation
- Trees up to 60m tall– Green throughout the year– Ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, cinchona Elephants, monkeys, deer, rhinoceroses, birds, bats, etc. Tropical Deciduous Forests Northeastern states, Eastern Ghats, etc. 200-70 cm – Shed leaves in dry season– Teak, sal, bamboos, sandalwood, etc. Lions, tigers, pigs, deer, elephants, birds, snakes, etc. Thorn Forests and Scrubs Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, etc. <70 cm – Thorny trees & bushes– Drought-resistant adaptations Rats, mice, rabbits, foxes, wolves, tigers, lions, etc. Montane Forests Himalayan region, Southern & Northeast India Varies – Changes with altitude– Evergreen broad-leaf, coniferous, grasslands, alpine vegetation Kashmir stag, snow leopard, yaks, bears, red pandas, etc. Mangrove Forests Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, coastal areas Varies – Found in tidal regions– Mangrove trees with submerged roots– Sundari trees, palms, coconuts, etc. Royal Bengal Tiger, turtles, crocodiles, gharials, etc....

Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen Forests

These forests are primarily located on the western slope of the Western Ghats, in the hills of the northeastern region, and on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They thrive in warm and humid areas with annual precipitation exceeding 200 cm and mean annual temperatures above 22°C....

Tropical Deciduous Forests

These forests are the most prevalent in India and are commonly referred to as monsoon forests. They are distributed across regions receiving rainfall ranging between 70-200 cm. Based on water availability, these forests are further classified into moist and dry deciduous categories....

Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs

Found in regions with less than 70 cm rainfall, including northwestern parts of India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana). Vegetation consists of thorny trees and bushes with adaptations to conserve water. Common plant species include acacias, palms, euphorbias, and cacti. Animals include rats, mice, rabbits, foxes, wolves, tigers, lions, wild asses, horses, and camels....

Montane Forests

Found in mountainous areas with decreasing temperature with increasing altitude. Wet temperate forests found between 1000 and 2000 meters, dominated by evergreen broad-leaf trees like oaks and chestnuts. Temperate forests between 1500 and 3000 meters contain coniferous trees such as pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce, and cedar. Temperate grasslands and Alpine vegetation found at higher altitudes (>3600 meters). Common animals include Kashmir stag, spotted deer, wild sheep, jack rabbits, Tibetan antelope, yaks, snow leopards, squirrels, ibex, bears, red pandas, sheep, and goats....

Littoral and Swamp Forests

India boasts a diverse array of wetland habitats, with approximately 70 percent of these areas dedicated to paddy cultivation. The total wetland area covers 3.9 million hectares, with two specific sites, Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, designated as protected water-fowl habitats under the Ramsar Convention....

Forest Conservation

Forests play a crucial role in sustaining life and the environment, providing a myriad of direct and indirect benefits to the economy and society. Recognizing their significance, the Government of India introduced a nationwide forest conservation policy, initially adopted in 1952 and further modified in 1988. The revised forest policy emphasizes sustainable forest management to conserve and expand forest reserves while meeting the needs of local communities....

Wildlife

Visiting a zoo allows one to observe animals and birds in captivity, but India’s wildlife represents a significant natural heritage. It’s estimated that around 4-5% of all known plant and animal species on Earth are found in India, owing to its diverse ecosystems preserved over ages. However, human activities have disturbed their habitats, leading to a significant decline in their numbers. Some species are on the verge of extinction....

Wildlife Conservation in India

India has a rich tradition of wildlife protection, reflected in stories from sources like the Panchtantra and Jungle Books, which have influenced generations. In 1972, India enacted a comprehensive Wildlife Act aimed at conserving and protecting wildlife. The Act has two primary objectives: safeguarding endangered species listed in its schedule and providing legal support for conservation areas like National parks, sanctuaries, and closed areas. Amended in 1991, the Act strengthened punishments and included provisions for protecting specified plant species and conserving endangered wild animals....

Biosphere Reserves

A Biosphere Reserve is a distinctive and characteristic ecosystem encompassing terrestrial and coastal regions, internationally acknowledged under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The primary goals of a Biosphere Reserve, as illustrated in Figure 5.9, are to facilitate conservation, sustainable development, and scientific research....

Conclusion – Class 11 Chapter 5 Geography Natural Vegetation

India has many different kinds of forests, like dense green forests, thorny bushes, and trees near mountains. Each forest has special plants and animals. Some forests stay green all year, while others lose their leaves in dry times. Mangrove forests grow near the sea and help protect the land. But these forests are in danger because people cut down too many trees. We need to protect them so that animals have homes and our environment stays healthy....

FAQs on Class 11 Chapter 5 Geography Natural Vegetation

What is natural vegetation Class 11 geography?...