Vegetation and Wildlife - Long Answer Questions
Plant community which has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed for a long time.
Endemic: Purely Indian virgin vegetation. Exotic: Plants brought from outside India.
Land, Soil, Temperature, Photoperiod (Sunlight), Precipitation (Rainfall).
1. Tropical Evergreen. 2. Tropical Deciduous. 3. Tropical Thorn/Scrub. 4. Montane. 5. Mangrove.
High rain (>200cm), warm/warm. Trees distinct height (60m). No fixed leaf shedding time (always green). Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber.
Most widespread. Rainfall 70-200cm. Shed leaves in summer for 6-8 weeks. Moist (Teak, Sal) and Dry (Peepal, Neem).
Rainfall < 70cm. NW India. Acacias, Palms, Euphorbias, Cacti. Long roots, thick leaves.
Mountain vegetation changes with altitude. Wet temperate (1000-2000m): Oaks/Chestnuts. Temperate (1500-3000m): Pine, Deodar. Alpine (>3600m): Birch, Junipers. Moss/Lichens.
Tidal forests in deltas. Roots submerged in water. Sundari trees (Sundarbans). Palm, Coconut, Agar.
Implemented in 1972 to protect flora and fauna.
Large protected areas to conserve biodiversity and culture. India has 18 (e.g., Nilgiri, Nanda Devi, Sundarbans).
Launch in 1973 to save tigers from extinction.
47,000 plant species (10th in world). 90,000 animal species.
Hunting, pollution, deforestation, introduction of alien species.
Sarpagandha (BP), Jamun, Arjun, Babool, Neem (Antibacterial), Tulsi (Cold).
Assam and West Bengal swamps.
Gir Forest (Gujarat) - last home of Asiatic Lion.
Birds that travel long distances in winter (e.g., Siberian Crane to Rann of Kachchh).
Vegetation and Wildlife - Important Facts
Flora: Plant life.
Fauna: Animal life.
India is a mega-biodiversity country.
6% of world's flowering plants.
Tropical Evergreen: Ebony, Mahogany.
Tropical Deciduous: Teak, Sal, Bamboo.
Teak is dominant in Moist Deciduous.
Simlipal is a Biosphere Reserve.
Gir forest: Asiatic Lion.
Camels found in Thar desert.
Wild Ass found in Rann of Kachchh.
Yak found in Ladakh.
Snow Leopard in Himalayas.
Peacock is National Bird.
Tiger is National Animal.
Project Rhino/Project Great Indian Bustard exist.
18 Biosphere Reserves.
103 National Parks.
535 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Migratory birds: Siberian Crane, Flamingo.
Red Data Book lists endangered species.
Sarpagandha found only in India.
Vegetation and Wildlife - Important Dates/Terms
Wildlife Protection Act
Project Tiger