Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Differences between Flora and Fauna are:

Differences between Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests are:

The major types of vegetation found in India are:

1. Tropical Evergreen Forests
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests
3. Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs
4. Montane Forests
5. Mangrove Forests

Vegetation of High Altitudes

1. The vegetation of high altitudes is called montane forests. As temperature decreases with increasing altitude, it causes corresponding change in natural vegetation.
2. The wet temperate type of forests are found between a height of 1000 and 2000 metres. Evergreen broad-leaf trees, such as oaks and chestnuts predominate.
3. Between 1500 and 3000 metres, temperate forests containing coniferous trees, like pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce and cedar, are found.
4. At higher elevations, temperate grasslands are common.
5. At high altitudes, generally, more than 3,600 metres above the sea level, temperate forests and grasslands give way to the Alpine vegetation. Silver fir, junipers, pines and birches are the common trees of these forests. However, they get progressively stunted as they approach the snow-line.
6. Ultimately, through shrubs and scrubs, they merge into the Alpine grasslands. At higher altitudes, mosses and lichens form part of tundra vegetation.

Plants and animals are endangered in India due to the following reasons:

1. Hunting of animals for recreation and commercial purposes.
2. Smuggling of animals often leading to their death.
3. Pollution due to chemical and industrial waste, acid deposits.
4. Introduction of alien species.
5. Reckless cutting of the forests to bring land under cultivation and habitation.

India is a vast country with a variety of climatic regions. India has hot and dry desert, wet and warm tropical region, cold and dry lofty mountains, vast coastline etc. Different climatic conditions allow a huge variety of flora and fauna in India. India has some biodiversity hotspots like Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats. They are home to many unique and endangered species. All these factors make India rich in flora and fauna.

A natural area rich in flora and fauna, that preserves wildlife and landforms while allowing public use and enjoyment is called bio-reserve. Examples: Sunderbans and Nilgiri.

Tropical type of vegetation: Elephant, Monkey

Montane type of vegetation: Spotted dear, Wild sheep

Tropical Evergreen

100 cm

Odisha

Panna