Natural Vegetation and Wildlife of India: A Comprehensive Overview
Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Natural Vegetation
Natural vegetation refers to the plant cover that grows naturally in a region without human intervention. Virgin vegetation is vegetation that has remained undisturbed by humans for a long period.
Flora and Fauna
Flora refers to the plant species of a particular region or period. Fauna refers to the animal species of a particular region or period.
Factors Affecting Flora and Fauna Diversity
Relief
Land
Land influences the type of vegetation. Level and fertile land is often used for farming, while uneven land supports grasslands and woodlands.
Soil
Different soil types support different vegetation. For example, sandy soil is suitable for cactus and thorny bushes, while wet, marshy soil is suitable for mangroves.
Climate
Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and humidity determine the character and extent of vegetation. High temperature and humidity support evergreen forests, while high temperature and low humidity support thorny bushes.
Photoperiod (Sunlight)
Photoperiod, the duration of sunlight, influences plant growth. Trees grow faster in summer due to longer photoperiods.
Precipitation
Heavy rainfall supports dense vegetation, while scanty rainfall supports thorny bushes.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem comprises all plants and animals in an area and their physical environment. A large ecosystem is called a biome, typically identified by its dominant plant life.
Types of Vegetation in India
India has five major vegetation types: Tropical Rainforests, Tropical Deciduous Forests, Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs, Montane Forests, and Mangrove Forests.
Tropical Rainforests
These forests thrive in areas with heavy rainfall, such as the Western Ghats, Assam, Tamil Nadu coast, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. They feature a multi-layered structure with diverse vegetation, including commercially important trees like ebony, mahogany, and rosewood. Common animals include elephants, monkeys, and various birds and reptiles.
Tropical Deciduous Forests
These are India’s most widespread forests, found in regions with rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm. They are also known as monsoon forests and are categorized into two types:
Moist Deciduous Forest
Found in areas with rainfall between 200 cm and 100 cm, primarily in eastern India and the Western Ghats’ eastern slopes.
Dry Deciduous Forest
Found in areas with rainfall between 100 cm and 70 cm, mainly in the peninsular plateau and the plains of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
These forests contain commercially valuable trees like teak, sal, and sandalwood. Common animals include lions, tigers, deer, and various birds and reptiles.
Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs
These forests grow in regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall, primarily in northwestern India. They feature scattered trees with long roots and succulent stems to conserve water. Common plant species include acacia, palms, and cactus. Animals include camels, rodents, foxes, and wolves.
Montane Forests
These forests exist in mountainous areas with varying vegetation based on altitude. Wet temperate forests (1000-2000 meters) feature evergreen broad-leaf trees, while temperate forests (1500-3000 meters) have coniferous trees. Alpine vegetation thrives above 3600 meters. Common animals include the Kashmir stag, snow leopard, and various other mammals and birds.
Mangrove Forests
These forests are found in the deltas of major rivers like the Ganga and Godavari. Mangrove plants have unique adaptations, including hollow roots that grow above water for breathing. The Sundari tree is prevalent, and the Royal Bengal Tiger is a notable inhabitant, along with turtles, crocodiles, and snakes.
Wildlife
India boasts over 89,000 animal species and 1200 bird species. Diverse animals like elephants, one-horned rhinos, wild asses, and various deer species inhabit different regions. India is unique in having both tigers and lions.
Conservation Efforts
- India has fourteen biosphere reserves, four of which are included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
- Projects like Project Tiger and Project Rhino aim to protect endangered species.
- Numerous national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and zoological gardens contribute to preserving India’s natural heritage.