NCERT Class 9 Geography | Chapter 5| Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Chapters :

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India's Biodiversity:
- India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries globally.
- It boasts approximately 47,000 plant species, ranking tenth worldwide and fourth in Asia for plant diversity.
- There are around 15,000 flowering plant species in India, constituting 6% of the world's total.
- The country also hosts numerous non-flowering plants like ferns, algae, and fungi.
- India harbors approximately 90,000 animal species, along with a diverse range of freshwater and marine fish.
- Natural Vegetation:
  - Natural vegetation refers to plant communities that have grown without human intervention for an extended period.
  - Cultivated crops and orchards do not fall under natural vegetation.
  Flora and Fauna:
  - Flora denotes the plant species of a particular region or period.
  - Fauna refers to the animal species present in a specific area.

Types of Vegetation in India:
- Tropical Evergreen Forests:
  - Found in heavy rainfall areas like Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar islands, upper Assam, and Tamil Nadu coast.
  - Tall trees with multilayered structure, green throughout the year.
  - Commercially important species include ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, and cinchona.
Tropical Deciduous Forests:
- Most widespread, also known as monsoon forests.
- Moist deciduous found in areas with rainfall between 200 and 100 cm, dominated by teak.
- Dry deciduous in regions with 100-70 cm rainfall, common in Peninsular plateau and plains of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Thorn Forests and Scrubs:
- Found in regions with less than 70 cm rainfall, including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Dominated by thorny trees and bushes like acacias, palms, euphorbias, and cacti.

Montane Forests:
- Found in mountainous areas with varying altitudes.
- Wet temperate forests (1000-2000 meters) with broad-leaf trees like oaks and chestnuts.
- Temperate forests (1500-3000 meters) with coniferous trees such as pine, deodar, and spruce.
- Alpine vegetation above 3600 meters, comprising shrubs, scrubs, and grasslands.

Mangrove Forests:
- Found in coastal areas influenced by tides, like the deltas of Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri.
- Dense mangroves with submerged roots.
- Sundari trees provide durable timber.
- Home to animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, turtles, crocodiles, and snakes.

Fauna of India:

India's rich fauna includes approximately:
- 90,000 animal species
- 2,000 bird species (13% of the world's total)
- 2,546 fish species (nearly 12% of the world's total)
- 5-8% of the world's amphibians, reptiles, and mammals

Diverse birdlife including:
- Peacocks, pheasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes, and pigeons
Importance of biodiversity:
- Crops, medicinal plants, milch animals, fish, and insects contribute to human needs
- Every species plays a role in the ecosystem, highlighting the importance of conservation
Threats to biodiversity:
- Hunting, pollution, introduction of alien species, and deforestation

Sundarbans • Simlipal

• Gulf of Mannar • Dihang-Dibang

• Nilgiri • Dibru Saikhowa

• Nanda Devi • Agasthyamalai

• Nokrek • Kangchendzonga

• Great Nicobar • Pachmarhi

• Manas • Achanakmar-Amarkantak

• Kachchh • Cold Desert

• Seshachalam • Panna