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Geography > Natural Vegetation > Flashcards

Natural Vegetation Flashcards

1
Q

Define natural vegetation

A

Natural vegetation refers to the plant community which has grown naturally without any human assistance and has not been disturbed over a long time, so as to allow its individual species to adjust themselves fully to the climate and soil conditions

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2
Q

What constitutes the natural vegetation of an area?

A

Grasses, shrubs and trees

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3
Q

What does flora refer to?

A

Flora refers to plants of a particular region or period, listed as species and considered as a group

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4
Q

How many species of plants do the Eastern Himalayas have?

A

4000 species, which vary with increasing altitude from tropical to temperate and alpine

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5
Q

What does vegetation refer to?

A

Vegetation refers to the assemblage of plant species living in association with each other in a given environmental setup.

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6
Q

What are the major vegetation types in the world grouped as?

A

Forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra

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7
Q

What does forest refer to?

A

Forest refers to a large tract of land covered with trees and accompanying undergrowth of shrubs, herbs and sustaining thousands of life forms, which include both plants and animals.

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8
Q

What is a forest in legal terminology?

A

It is ant land with a vegetative cover, that has been so declared under a legal provision

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9
Q

What are the productive functions of a forest?

A
  1. Various trees provide us with various products. Wood is used for making furniture in houses as well as as industrial units.
  2. Wood and bamboo pulp are used for manufacturing paper and paper boards.
  3. Wood is used as a source of energy for cooking and for providing warmth.
  4. Forest products like timber, firewood, fibres, essential oils, oil seeds and edible plants.
  5. Bamboo provides a means of livelihood for the tribals who make mats, baskets, ropes , etc., using bamboo.
  6. It is used in the manufacture of rayon. (yarns and artificial silk fibres)
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10
Q

What are the protective functions of forests?

A
  1. Forests control the water flow. The thick layer of humus in the forests prevents evaporation of water. The humus acts as a natural sponge and helps to soak the rain water in the soil. The thick humus over the years is formed by the decay of forest litter, which increases the fertility of the soil
  2. The forest with its complex root system binds the soil thereby preventing soil erosion and loss of nutrients.
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11
Q

What are the regulatory functions of forests?

A
  1. The trees utilise carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. The oxygen released by trees is used in the animal world. Thus, the trees perpetuate the cycles of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the biosphere.
  2. They also regulate the water cycle. The trees absorb water from the ground, release water (during transpiration) into the atmosphere which helps to form clouds and precipitation, which brings water again into the soil, thus completing the water cycle.
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12
Q

Give the accessory functions of forests

A
  1. Forests provide habitat for the wildlife.
  2. Forests also provide aesthetics and recreation to human beings through National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves
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13
Q

Why does India have a variety of forest and natural vegetation?

A

Due to variations in climatic conditions, soil types and relief features

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14
Q

Name the five major vegetation regions of the country

A
  1. Tropical Evergreen or Rain Forests
  2. Tropical Deciduous
  3. Tropical Desert
  4. Littoral or Tidal
  5. Mountain
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15
Q

What are the climatic conditions for tropical evergreen forests?

A

These forests are found in areas where the annual rainfall is more than 200 cm with a short dry season, average annual temperature is between 25 C and 27C and average humidity exceeds 77 per cent

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16
Q

Give the distribution of Tropical Evergreen Forests

A

These forests are chiefly distributed in the heavy rainfall areas of the western slopes of the Western Ghats, hills of north-eastern region and the island groups of Lakshadweep, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Tamil Nadu coast

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17
Q

Give the characteristic features of Rain Forests

A
  1. Since this region remains warm and wet throughout the year, it has a luxuriant vegetation of all kinds - trees, shrubs and creepers which give it a multi-layered structure
  2. Trees reach great heights of more than 60 m
  3. The carpet layers of herbs and grasses cannot grow because of the dense canopy of trees which do not allow enough sunlight to reach the ground
  4. The trees in these forests do not have a fixed time to shed their leaves, to flower of for fruition. That is why these forests appear green year round.
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18
Q

Which trees are found in Rain Forests?

A

Rosewood, ebony, mahogany, toon, chaplas, sissoo, gurjan, telsur, etc

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19
Q

Give the economic value of Rain Forests

A

Tropical Evergreen Forests produce various plant species of high economic value. The timber produced is hard, durable and fine grained. Due to tangled mass of canes, palms, bamboos, ferns and climbers, along with the lack of means of transport, these forests have not been fully exploited

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20
Q

What are tropical deciduous forests known as?

A

Monsoon forests

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21
Q

Which forests are the most widespread in India?

A

Tropical Deciduous Forests

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22
Q

Name the two types into which monsoon forests have been categorised on the availability of water

A
  1. Moist DF

2. Dry DF

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23
Q

Give the climatic conditions of Moist DF

A

Such forests are found in areas with moderate or low annual rainfall of 100 cm to 200 cm and the mean annual temperature of 24 C and 27 C and humidity percentage of 50 to 80

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24
Q

Give the distribution of Moist DF

A

These forests occur in the north-eastern part of the Peninsula, along the foothills of the Himalayas and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. They occupy a sizeable area in UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and have an area bigger than Evergreen Forests

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25
Q

Give the characteristic features of Moist DF

A
  1. The trees in these forests shed their leaves from six to eight weeks during spring and early summer when the storage of water is acute. Further, the sub-soil water is not enough for the trees to keep their leaves all the year round.
  2. A particular species can be found over a large area.
  3. They are commercially most exploited forests of India
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26
Q

Which are the common trees found in Moist DF?

A

Sal, teak, shisham, sandalwood, palas, semul, mulberry, arjun, mahua

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27
Q

Give the economic value of moist DF

A

Tropical DF are commercially the most exploited. Besides providing valuable timber, they provide various other products. Sandalwood found in these forests is in great demand in India and abroad

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28
Q

What are the climatic conditions in Dry DF?

A

These forests are found in areas having a mean annual temperature of 23 C to 27 C, annual rainfall between 70 cm and 100 cm and humidity between 51 to 58 percent

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29
Q

Give the distribution of Dry DF

A

These forests are found in the rainier parts of the Peninsular Plateau and the plains of Bihar and UP

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30
Q

Give the characteristic features of Dry DF

A
  1. These forests thrive between moist deciduous forests (in the east) and tropical thorn forests (in the west). On wetter margins, these forests have a transition into moist deciduous, while on the drier margins they degrade into thorn forests
  2. In the northern Indian Plains and in the areas of higher rainfall in the Peninsular Plateau, these forests have open stretches in which teak and other trees and interspersed with patches of grass.
  3. During the dry season, the trees in these forests shed their leaves completely and give the forests a look of vast grassland with naked trees.
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31
Q

Give the common trees of dry DF

A

Bel, khair, axlewood, teak, tendu, sal, rosewood, amaltas

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32
Q

Give the economical value of dry DF

A

The trees of these forests provide timber, fruits and other useful products. Large tracts of these forests have been cleared for agricultural activities.

33
Q

What are tropical desert forests known as?

A

Tropical Thorn Forests

34
Q

Give the climatic conditions of tropical desert forests

A

These forests are found in areas having a mean annual temperature of 25 C to 27 C, rainfall less than 50 cm, and humidity below 47 per cent

35
Q

Give the distribution of tropical desert forests

A

These forests are chiefly distributed in south-western Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, central and eastern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh

36
Q

Give the characteristic features of thorn forests

A
  1. These forests have Xerophytic vegetation. Due to paucity of rainfall, the trees are stunted with large patches of coarse grasses
  2. These forests have trees which have adapted themselves to survive in drought like conditions and are called xerophytes. For examples, the acacia or babool trees have developed long tap roots than can reach deep, ground water resources and therefore, can survive drought like conditions. Further, the acacia trees have long thorns and a symbiotic relationship with stinging ants. These ants live in the thorns, feed on the nectar produced by the trees and when an animal takes a bite of the leaves, the ants attack the animal
  3. In these forests, plants remain leafless for most part of the year and look like scrub vegetation
37
Q

Name the trees found in desert forests

A

Babool or acacia, date palm, ber, khair, neem, khejri, kanju, cactii, kokko

38
Q

Give the economical value of thorn forests

A

Ber fruit is eaten raw and made into a pickle or beverages. Its timber is hard, strong, tough and durable. It is used to make legs for bedsteads, boat ribs, agricultural implements, charcoal, etc.

Babool bark and gum have medicinal value.

Date palm is eaten raw and also used as an astringent, as a decoction, syrup or paste for sore throat, cold, fever, etc.

Neem bark and its roots have medicinal properties. Neem oil, leaves and neem extracts are used to manufacture health and beauty products. It is also used as an insecticide.

39
Q

Which are one of the most specialised tropical natural vegetation types?

A

Littoral Forests

40
Q

What are wetlands?

A

Wetlands are lands between terrestrial and aquatic system where the water table is usually at or near the surface of the land

41
Q

Give the climatic conditions of littoral forests

A

These forests thrive in areas where temp remains between 26 C and 29 C and the rainfall is not more than 200 cm

42
Q

Give the distribution of Littoral Forests

A

These are found in wet marshy areas, in river deltas, in tidal or other swampy areas and along the sea coasts. They are chiefly distributed in the deltas of large rivers on the eastern coast and in pockets on the western coast in saline swamps Sunderbans in West Bengal and coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha

43
Q

Give the characteristic features of Littoral Forests

A
  1. They have mainly evergeen species of varying density and height, usually associated with wetness.
  2. The tree trunks are supported by a number of stil it like roots which remain submerged under water during high tide and can be seen during low tide
  3. These forests have breathing roots called pneumatophores. Because of water logged conditions, the roots are deprived of oxygen during high tides. So, some mangrove roots extend vertically above the ground. These vertical roots have pores which enable the trees to breathe when other roots remain submerged under water during high tide.
44
Q

Give the important trees in littoral forests

A

Canes and palms, sundari, agar, rhizophora, keora, amur, bhara, screw lines

45
Q

Where do mangrove forests grow?

A

Along the coasts in the salt marshes, tidal creeks, mud flats and estuaries. They are found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and West Bengal. Other areas include the Mahanadi, the Godavari and the Krishna deltas.

46
Q

Why are mangrove forests called Sunderbans in the Ganga Delta?

A

They have Sundari trees

47
Q

Give the economical value of tidal forests

A

Mangrove trees are utilised for fuel whereas sundari trees provide hard durable timber

48
Q

Give the climatic conditions of mountain forests

A

These forests are found in areas having an annual temp of 12 C to 13 C, rainfall between 100 and 300 cm and annual humidity between 56 and 65 percent

49
Q

Give the altitude of mountain forests

A

Between 1000 m to 4000 m

50
Q

Give the distribution of mountain forests

A

These forests cover the entire Himalayan zone. In the Peninsular region, they are found in the Vindhyas, Nilgiris and the Western Ghats

51
Q

Give the characteristic features of mountain forests

A
  1. These forests contain mixed species of broad leafed evergreen trees and conifers. They also contain scrubs, creepers and ferns.
  2. At the foothills of the Himalayas, deciduous forests are found.
  3. At an altitude of 1000 m to 2000 m they are the moist temperate forests
  4. In the hilly areas of WB and Uttarakhand, evergreen broad leafed trees like chestnut and oak are found
  5. Between the altitude of 1500 and 1750 m , coniferous trees like Chir pine is an important tree. At an altitude of 2250 m and 3000 m blue pine and spruce are found
  6. At higher altitudes, alpine forests and alpine grass up to the snowline are found followed by mosses and lichens. Beyond the snowline, no vegetation is found
  7. In the Peninsular regions, the area is only about 1500 m in height and vegetation varies from tropical to temperature forests
52
Q

Why does the vegetation vary from tropical to temperature forests in mountain forests in the Peninsular regions?

A

This is because of their closeness to the tropics and height of only 1500 m above sea level. So the vegetation is temperate in the higher regions, and sub tropical on the lower regions of the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

53
Q

What are the mountain temperate forests called?

A

They are called Sholas in the Nilgiris, Palani and Anaimalai hills

54
Q

Name the important trees found in mountain forests

A

Magnolia, laurel, cinchona, wattle, plum, etc

55
Q

How do forests play a vital role in protecting the environment?

A
  1. They are the moderators of climate
  2. Play a dominant role in the carbon cycle
  3. Help to control soil erosion, degradation & floods
  4. Help in water percolation & maintaining underground water table
  5. Decay of plant leaves provides humus to soil
56
Q

State conservation measures to protect forests

A
  1. Increasing the Area under forests through a massive programme of tree plantation
  2. Afforestation around Industrial Units
  3. Stopping Indiscriminate Felling of Tress
  4. Establishing Corridors between Different Reserved Forests to allow migration of wild animals
  5. Using Alternative Sources of Energy - solar, tidal, hydel
  6. Proper Legislation and Its Implementation
  7. People’s Participation - local community
  8. Developing badlands and barren lands into vegetation belts
57
Q

Define afforestation

A

Planting trees on lands which are not previously covered with forest vegetation

58
Q

Define agro-forestry

A

The sustainable system of managing a piece of land through combined production of agricultural crops and forests crops and animal rearing, to ensure the most efficient land use in accordance with socio-cultural practices of the local people

59
Q

Define deforestation

A

The clearing or thinning of forests by humans for wood, crop lands, and grazing land

60
Q

Define farm forestry

A

The practice of growing trees on farm land to produce saleable products, like timber, tannin, charcoal, etc and to provide shade and shelter for stock and crops

61
Q

Define reforestation

A

Re-establishing a forest by planting trees in an area from which forest vegetation has been removed

62
Q

Define social forestry

A

The management and protection of forests and afforestation on barren lands with the purpose of helping in the environmental, rural and social development

63
Q

Give other names for social forestry

A

Extension forestry, Mined forestry, Urban forestry, Tree farming, Vanamahotsava, recreation forestry, livestock forestry, etc

64
Q

What does social forestry consist of?

A
  1. Restoration, reallocation, reorganization of existing forest lands for the total development of the land and the people living on it
  2. Joint management of the forest and its production processes
  3. Developing the socio-economic structure that makes the above two possible
65
Q

Who recommends objectives of Social forestry?

A

National Commission on Agriculture

66
Q

Give the objectives of Social Forestry

A
  1. Providing fuel wood, fodder for cattle, timber and minor forest products to rural people
  2. Utilizing the available land according to its productive capacity.
  3. Developing local cottage industries by providing raw materials.
  4. Providing efficient conservation of soil and water
  5. Providing employment opportunities to the rural people
  6. Increasing agricultural production by using cow dung as manure
  7. Fulfilling the recreational needs of the people
  8. Improving the aesthetic scene of the area
  9. Achieving all-round rural development as a part of integrated rural development programme
67
Q

What does agro-forestry claim to do?

A

To provide conservation of the land and its improvement in order to achieve a combined produce of forest and agricultural crops

68
Q

Give the objectives of agro-forestry

A
  1. To reduce pressure on natural forests for obtaining timber as well as non- timber forest produce
  2. To check soil erosion and to maintain the natural fertility of the soil
  3. To maintain ecological balance along with proper utilisation of farm resources
  4. To make the best use of all the available resources like land, manpower, livestock, ecological factors, etc., to obtain a variety of forest products such as food, fuel, fodder, livestock, recreation and a variety of forest products sustainably from the same land
69
Q

How is Agro-forestry different from traditional forestry?

A

It is not vulnerable to population stresses. It is created in accordance with the socio-cultural practices of the population. In fact, it co-ordinates with the local population and reduces the pressure of population on traditional forestry.

70
Q

What is rosewood used for?

A

It is used for making furniture, floor boards, wagon parts, etc. It is used as a decorative wood for carving and for making ornamental ply-boards and veneers

71
Q

What is ebony used for?

A

It is used for ornamental carving and for decoration. It is used for inlaying, for making musical instruments, sports goods, piano keys and caskets

72
Q

What is teak used for?

A

It is used for construction purposes, shipbuilding and making furniture, railway carriages, sleepers and bridges

73
Q

What is sandalwood used for?

A

For making statues and ornamental objects. It is also used in making aromatic substances and for extracting sandalwood oil

74
Q

What is sal wood used for?

A

For making beams, planking and railing of bridges, doors, window posts of houses, railway sleepers, etc

75
Q

What is palas used for?

A

Palas leaves are used for rearing shellac worms

76
Q

What is neem used for?

A

It is effective in treating allergies, ulcers, diabetes, etc.

77
Q

What is deodar used for?

A

Medium weight durable wood. Used for construction work and for making railway sleepers, beams, floor boards, ports, window frames, and light furniture

78
Q

What is sundari used for?

A

Sundari trees provide hard durable timber for construction purposes and boat making.

Geography (4 decks)

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