Class 9th Geography Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Notes

1. Introduction

• Natural vegetation → Plant cover that grows naturally without human interference.
• Wildlife → Animal species that live in their natural habitats.
• India is one of the 12 mega-biodiversity countries of the world.
• It has around:
  • 47,000 species of plants (7% of world’s flora).
  • 90,000 species of animals (including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects).

Diversity is due to varied climate, relief, and soil conditions.

2. Factors Affecting Natural Vegetation

2.1 Relief

• Land: Determines type of vegetation.
  • Plains → agricultural crops.
  • Plateaus → grasslands, shrubs.
  • Mountains → forests (tropical to alpine types).
• Soil: Different soils support different vegetation.
  • Alluvial soil → crops, grasslands.
  • Black soil → cotton cultivation.
  • Sandy soil → thorny bushes.

2.2 Climate

• Temperature: Determines tropical vs temperate vegetation.
• Moisture/Rainfall: More rainfall = denser vegetation.
• Photoperiod (Sunlight duration): Longer sunlight → more photosynthesis → denser vegetation.

2.3 Ecosystem

• Ecosystem → Interdependence of plants, animals, and environment.
• Different ecosystems support different life forms (forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands).

3. Types of Vegetation in India

India’s vegetation is classified into five major types:

3.1 Tropical Evergreen Forests

• Location: Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar, NE India (Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland).
• Climate: Heavy rainfall (>200 cm), hot and humid.
• Features:
  • Dense, multi-layered, evergreen trees.
  • No fixed shedding of leaves.
• Important species: Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber, Cinchona.
• Wildlife: Elephants, monkeys, lemurs, bats, varieties of birds, reptiles, insects.

3.2 Tropical Deciduous Forests

• Also called Monsoon Forests.
• Location: Central India, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand.
• Climate: Rainfall 100–200 cm.
• Features:
  • Trees shed leaves in dry season to conserve water.
  • Most widespread type in India.
• Types:
  • Moist Deciduous (rainfall 100–200 cm): Teak, Sal, Shisham, Mango, Mahua.
  • Dry Deciduous (rainfall 70–100 cm): Teak, Palas, Babul, Neem.
• Wildlife: Tigers, lions, elephants, deer, pigs, reptiles.

3.3 Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs

• Location: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Deccan Plateau (rainfall <70 cm).
• Features:
  • Thorny trees, scattered bushes.
  • Long roots, thick barks, small leaves → adaptation to dry climate.
• Species: Acacia, Date palm, Cactus, Keekar, Babul.
• Wildlife: Rats, mice, rabbits, camels, fox, wolf.

3.4 Montane Forests

• Location: Himalayan region.
• Features: Vegetation changes with altitude:
  • 1000–2000 m → Wet temperate forests (Oak, Chestnut).
  • 2000–3000 m → Coniferous forests (Pine, Deodar, Fir, Silver Oak).
  • Above 3600 m → Alpine vegetation (Junipers, Pastures, scrubs).
  • Higher altitudes → only mosses and lichens (Tundra vegetation).
• Wildlife: Snow leopard, Himalayan bear, Tibetan antelope, Yak, Red panda.

3.5 Mangrove Forests (Tidal Forests)

• Location: Coastal deltas of Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.
• Features:
  • Grows in saline water and tidal influence.
  • Roots are aerial (respiratory roots).
• Species: Sundari tree (Sundarbans named after it), Rhizophora, Coconut, Palm.
• Wildlife: Royal Bengal Tiger, saltwater crocodiles, turtles, snakes, migrating birds.

4. Wildlife in India

• India has rich and varied wildlife due to ecological diversity.
• Mammals: Elephant, one-horned rhinoceros (Assam), Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion (Gir forest), leopard, wild ass (Rann of Kachchh).
• Birds: Peacock (national bird), parakeets, cranes, migratory birds (Siberian Crane).
• Reptiles: Crocodiles, gharials, snakes, turtles.
• Aquatic life: Dolphin (Ganga river dolphin – national aquatic animal), fishes, crabs.

5. Conservation of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

5.1 Causes of Depletion

• Deforestation for agriculture and settlements.
• Mining and industrialization.
• Overgrazing.
• Poaching and hunting.
• Climate change.

5.2 Government Initiatives

1. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 → Protect endangered species, ban hunting.
2. Biosphere Reserves (18 in India) → Protect biodiversity and culture.
   • Examples: Nilgiri, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Gulf of Mannar.
3. National Parks (106 in India) → Example: Corbett (first, 1936), Kaziranga, Gir, Kanha.
4. Wildlife Sanctuaries (over 560 in India).
5. Project Tiger (1973) → Save tigers.
6. Project Elephant (1992) → Protect elephants and their habitat.

5.3 Role of People

• Bishnoi community of Rajasthan → protect trees and animals.
• Chipko Movement (1970s, Uttarakhand) → Save forests.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM) → Involve communities in forest protection.

6. Importance of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

• Maintain ecological balance (oxygen, carbon dioxide cycle).
• Prevent soil erosion, floods, desertification.
• Provide resources: timber, fruits, medicinal plants, fuelwood.
• Support livelihoods of tribal and rural communities.
• Tourism and cultural value.

7. Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

• Forest cover in India: About 21% of total area (as per Forest Survey of India).
• Not evenly distributed:
  • Dense in NE states, Western Ghats, Andamans.
  • Sparse in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Ladakh.

8. Threatened Species

• India has many species in endangered or vulnerable categories (IUCN Red List).
• Examples:
  • Critically Endangered: Great Indian Bustard, Himalayan wolf.
  • Endangered: Lion-tailed macaque, Hangul, Snow leopard.
  • Vulnerable: Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), King cobra.

9. International Efforts

• India is part of:
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
  • CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Kaziranga, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, etc.).

Quick Revision Points

• Five types of vegetation:
  1. Tropical Evergreen
  2. Tropical Deciduous
  3. Thorn forests and scrubs
  4. Montane forests
  5. Mangroves
• Wildlife richness: Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, elephants, rhino, migratory birds.
• Conservation methods: Biosphere reserves, national parks, sanctuaries, Project Tiger, Project Elephant.
• Movements: Bishnois, Chipko, JFM.
• Importance: Ecology, economy, soil conservation, tourism.