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UNIVERSAL EDUCATION ICSE GRADE X SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter 9 Natural Vegetation of India 1. What is meant by natural vegetation? Ans: 1. Natural Vegetation: Natural Vegetation refers to the plant cover that has not been disturbed over a long time, so as to allow its individual species to adjust themselves fully to the climate and soil conditions. 2. Examples: grasses, shrubs and trees, which grow on their own without any interference. 2. What is vegetation? Ans: Vegetation: It refers to the assemblage of plant species living in association with each other in a given environmental set-up. Examples: 1. Coastal mangroves. 2. Cultivated gardens and lawns. 3. Explain the meaning of the terms flora and fauna. Ans: a) Flora refers to the sepecies of plants of a particular region. b) Fauna refers to the species of animal of a particular region. 4. Name the factors that influence variety of flora and fauna. Ans: 1. Soil. 2. Relief. 3. Climate. 4. Drainage. 5. Define the term forest . Ans: Forest: It is a large tract of land covered by trees and shrubs. 6. Name the major vegetation regions of India. Ans: 1. Tropical Evergreen. 2. Tropical Deciduous. 3. Tropical Desert. 4. Littoral. 5. Montane Vegetation. 7. Why are Tropical Evergreen forests called Rain Forests? Ans: As they are found in the areas where the amount of annual rainfall is more than 250 cm. 8. Why do the Tropical Evergreen Forests appear green throughout the year? Ans: Trees in these forests do not have a fixed time to shed their leaves, to flower or to bear fruits. 9. Name three useful trees of the Tropical evergreen forests. Ans: 1. Ebony. 2. Rosewood. 3. Chaplas 10. Forests are very important natural resources. Give four reasons. Ans: 1. They provide the natural habitat for wildlife. 2. They help in checking flood. 3. They improve the fertility of soil and prevent soil erosion. 4. They provide many useful products, raw materials for industries, medicinal herbs, etc. 11. What are the economic values of tropical evergreen forests? Ans: 1. Trees like rosewood, ebony, telsur and sissoo are used for making packing boxes, furniture, sports goods, agricultural implements and railway sleepers. 2. The timber produced is hard, durable and fine-grained. 12. Mention four features of Tropical Evergreen Forests: Ans: 1. These forests are common in places where the annual rainfall is more than250 cm. 2. Trees in these forests reach a height of 60 meters or above. 3. There is no fixed time for trees to shed their leaves; hence they appear evergreen all the year round. 4. These forests are dense, multi-layered and have trees and shrubs of great economic value. 13. State the uses of the following trees: a) Rosewood: 1. Furniture. 2. Ornamental ply-boards and veneers. b) Ebony: 1. Ornamental carving and decoration, 2. Making musical instruments and piano keys. c) Chaplas and Telsur: 1. Making furniture. 2. Railway sleepers, boats and ships. d) Toon: 1. Making tea boxes. 2. Toys and furniture. e) Sissoo: 1. Construction work. 2. Bullock cart and agricultural implements. f) Sandal Wood: 1. Statues and ornamental objects. 2. Making aromatic substances. g) Mahua: 1. Its fruit is used for extracting oil. 2. Its flower is used for making wine. h) Sal: 1. Making beams. 2. Railing of bridges. i) Teak: 1. Construction. 2. Ship building. j) Tender: Leaves are used as wrappers for bidi making. k) Palas: Leaves are used for rearing shellac worms. l) Neem: 1. Cure skin infections, allergies. 2. Insecticide. 14. Write a point of difference between afforestation and re-afforestation. Ans: 1. Afforestation refers to a scheme of plantation of trees in new forests whereas. 2. Re-afforestation refers to the restoration of forests that had been destroyed. 15. Enumerate three important features of Tropical Deciduous forests: Ans: 1. These forests are common in areas receiving an annual rainfall of 100 to 200 cms. 2. These trees shed their leaves from six to eight weeks during spring and early summer when shortage of water is acute. 3. The wood is durable, hard and economically very useful. 16. What is lac? State its use. Ans: 1. Lac is a secretion produced by an insect which feeds on the sap of certain tree in the Tropical Deciduous Forests. 2. It is used for making varnish and sealing wax. 17. In which region is Desert Vegetation found? Ans: 1. 2. 3. 4. Kutch. Saurashtra. South West Punjab. Rajasthan. 18. Mention any four features of Tropical Desert Forests. Ans: 1. These forests are common in regions receiving less than 50 cms of annual rainfall so they are xerophytes. 2. Due to paucity of rainfall, the trees are stunted with large patches of coarse grasses. 3. The plants remain leafless for most part of the year. 4. The trees have long roots to reach the ground water. 19.There is no Natural Vegetation in the Thar Desert. Give reason. Ans: 1. It is to the west of the Aravallis, which is in the rain shadow region of S.W. monsoon, Bay of Bengal branch and parallel to S.W. monsoon, Arabian Sea branch. 2. The annual range of temperature of this region is 25 C to 27 C, so the rate of evaporation is high. 20. Explain two features of the Littoral Forests. (3) Ans: 1. They are found only in wet, marshy areas, in deltas of the rivers or swampy areas along the coastline. 2. The tree trunks are supported by a number of stilt-like roots which are submerged under water. 3. The trees yields hardwood. 21. What are the special features of Montane Forests? (3) Ans: 1. As temperature decreases with altitude, type of trees varies. 2. Evergreen broad leaf trees are found. 3. Temperate grassland also occur at many places. 4. Alpine forests and pastures are found. 5. Tundra Vegetation is found at higher altitude. 22. What are the two categories of Montane Forests in India? Ans: 1. The Northern Mountain Forests. 2. The Southern Mountain Forests. 23. Name any two important trees that grow in the Tropical Deciduous forests and provide timber? Ans: 1. Teak. 2. Sal. 24. Give reasons: a) It is difficult to exploit Tropical Evergreen Forests. Ans: 1. Due to tangled mass of canes, palms, bamboos, ferns and climbers. 2. Lack of means of transport. (2) b) Tropical Deciduous forests are also called Monsoon forests. (1) Ans: As they are exclusively found in areas of rainfall between 100 to 200 cms. c) Altitude affects the type of vegetation. (2) Ans: 1. Temperature falls with increasing altitude. 2. Therefore on the slopes of the hills and mountains, we find variety of vegetation corresponding to the altitude. d) Alpine Vegetation is found in India at a height of 3,600 meters above sea level. (2) Ans: 1. 3,600m above sea level the region has climate similar to Alps in Europe. 2. Coniferous trees like Silver fir, pine and juniper similar to Alps are found in this region. e) Few species of plants are endangered in India. (2) Ans: 1. Human activities like agriculture, mining and industrial expansion has resulted in deforestation. 2. Use of pesticides and pollution of the environment poses a threat to the survival of many species of plants and animals. f) Thorny type of vegetation is found in Rajasthan. (2) Ans: 1. Annual rainfall is below 50 cms. 2. Thorny bushes grow here, due to high temperature and low availability of water. g) Southern slopes of the Himalayas are covered with thick vegetation compared with the northern slopes. (2) Ans: 1. Heavy rainfall and plenty of sunshine is experienced in southern slopes. 2. Whereas the northern slopes do not receive sunshine and receive less rainfall. h) Western slopes of the Western Ghats are covered with thick forests and not the eastern slopes. (2) Ans: 1. The western slopes of the Western Ghats lie in the windward side of the Southwest Monsoon and receive abundant rainfall. 2. Whereas the eastern slopes are in the rain shadow region. 25. Name the two types of Tropical Deciduous Forests with one example of tree for each type. (2) Ans: 1. Moist Deciduous. e.g - teak. 2. Dry deciduous forests. e.g - sal. 26. Write one point of difference between Sal and Teak. (1) Ans: 1. The wood of sal tree is very hard, heavy and tough. 2. Whereas teak wood is moderately hard, durable and easy to work. 27. Name the type of forests in India which is commercially exploited. Why ? (3) Ans: 1. The Tropical Deciduous Forests. 2. They provide valuable timber. 3. They provide a large number of forest products. Example: Sandalwood: It is used for making statues, ornamental objects, aromatic substances and sandalwood oil. 28. Give examples of trees in the Tropical Desert Forests. Ans: 1. Neem. 2. Ber. 3. Babool. 4. Date palms. (2) 29. Name two Alpine species with white flowers. Ans: 1. Brahmakamal . 2. Kuth . (2) 30. Distinguish Between: a) Flora and Fauna. (2) Ans: 1. The term flora is used to denote plants of a particular region whereas the term fauna denotes animals of a particular region. 2. There are more than 47,000 species of flora in India whereas there are more than 89,000 species of fauna. b) Tropical Rain Forests and Tropical Deciduous Forests. (2) Ans: 1. The Tropical Rain Forests are found in regions receiving more than 200 cms of annual rainfall, whereas Tropical Deciduous Forests are found in areas receiving 75 cms 200cms of average annual rainfall. 2. The trees in the Tropical Rain forests do not have a distinct time to shed leaves, whereas trees in the Deciduous forests shed leaves for 6 weeks once a year . c) Northern Mountain Forests and Southern Mountain Forests. (2) Ans: 1. The Northern Mountain Forest includes the Himalayan ranges whereas the Southern Mountain forests are found in peninsular hills like the Vindhyas, the Nilgiris and the Western Ghats. 2. The vegetation of the Northern Forests range from the Tropical to Tundra type whereas the vegetation of the Southern Forests has a mixture of Tropical and Temperate vegetation. d) Moist Deciduous and Dry Deciduous. (2) Ans: 1. Moist Deciduous forests are found in regions getting 100- 200 cms of annual rainfall, whereas Dry Deciduous forests are found in regions getting annual rainfall of about 70 100 cms. 2. Trees in the Moist Deciduous forests shed their leaves in spring for about 6-8 weeks, whereas the trees in Dry Deciduous forests shed their leaves in dry season making the forests appear like grassland with naked trees. 31. Why is there a need to conserve forests? (3) Ans: 1. Forests moderate climate, regulate water supply, maintain fertility of soil and purify air. 2. Absence of forest cover leads to soil erosion, reduction of water in the rivers, siltation and flood. 3. Forests provide a number of resources to mankind, like food, wood and medicines. 32. How can loss of forests be remedied? (3) Ans: 1. By a massive programme of tree plantation through afforestation and reafforestation. 2. There should be a strict ban on felling of naturally growing trees. 3. To use non-conventional sources of energy. 33. What is social forestry? (2) Ans: Social Forestry: It refers to the management and protection of forests and afforestation on barren lands with the purpose of helping in the environmental, social and rural development. 34. Write any three features of Social forestry. (3) Ans: 1. Raising plantation by local people s participation. 2. Making use of easily implementable technology. 3. Distributing the benefits derived from such projects equally among the socio-economically backward people. 35. Explain any three objectives of Social Forestry. (3) Ans: 1. Providing fuel wood, fodder for cattle; timber and minor forest products to rural people. 2. Providing employment opportunities to the rural population. 3. Developing local cottage industries by providing raw materials. 36. What is Agro-Forestry? (2) Ans: Agro-Forestry: It refers to the sustainable system of managing a piece of land through combined production of agricultural crops and forest crops and animal rearing, to ensure the most efficient land use under a management system in accordance with socio-cultural practices of the local people. 37. What are the three objectives of Agro-forestry? (3) Ans: 1. To reduce pressure on natural forests for obtaining timber and non-timber forest products. 2. To check soil erosion and to maintain the natural fertility of the soil. 3. To maintain ecological balance along with the proper utilization of farm resources. 38. What is the difference between agro-forestry and traditional forestry? Ans: 1. Agro-forestry is not vulnerable to population pressure whereas traditional forestry is affected by rapid increase in population. 2. Agro-forestry is in accordance with the socio-cultural practices of the people whereas traditional forestry does not take the socio-cultural practices into account. 39. Rainfall is an important factor which decides the type of vegetation of a particular region. Justify. (2) Ans: 1. In regions of heavy rainfalls Tropical evergreen forests are found. 2. Whereas in regions of low rainfalls the Tropical Deciduous forests are found. 40. When was the National Forest Policy adopted by the government of India? What does it state? (2) Ans: 1. The Government of India adopted the National forest Policy in 1952 and modified it in 1988. 2. This policy lays emphasis on the sustainable management of forests to conserve and expand them. 41. Write any three objectives of the National forest Policy. (3) Ans: 1. Conserving the natural heritage of the country by preserving the vast variety of flora and fauna. 2. Meeting the requirement of fuel wood, fodder and minor forest produce of the rural and the tribal population. 3. Encouraging efficient utilisation of wood and maximising substitution of wood. 42. Why are trees planted around the cities having iron and steel industries? (2) Ans: 1. Iron and steel industries emit sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxide, other harmful gases and dust which pollute the air. 2. Trees act as a barrier against these pollutants. 43. Write two uses of axlewood. Ans: 1. Kitchen cabinets. 2. Radio and television cabinets. (2) 44. Where are littoral forests located in India? (2) Ans: 1. Deltas of large rivers in the east coast and along the west coast. 2. Saline swamps of the Sundarbans in West Bengal. 45. Explain any four points of correlation of the forests with environment. Ans: (4) 1. Forests are the moderators of climate as they control humidity, temperature and precipitation. 2. Forests help in controlling soil erosion, soil degradation and floods. 3. Decay of plant leaves provides humus to the soil, thus making it more fertile. 4. They help in water percolation and thereby maintain underground water table.
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