Important Questions for Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Class 9 Geography
Important Questions1
At which place are Royal Bengal tigers found?
Answer
Sunderban delta.
VSAQ
2
How many types of plant species are found in India?
Answer
About 47,000 approximately.
VSAQ
3
Why moist tropical deciduous forests are more prominent in the eastern and central parts of India?
Answer
These areas experience 100 to 200 cm of annual rainfall.
VSAQ
4
Which type of natural vegetation have originally come to India from abroad?
Answer
Exotic plants.
VSAQ
5
In which region the yak, shaggy-horned wild ox and the Tibetan antelope are found?
Answer
Ladakh.
VSAQ
6
A very large ecosystem on land having distinct type of vegetation and wildlife is called:
Answer
Biome.
VSAQ
7
Where in India do flamingos migrate to nest in large numbers?
Answer
Rann of Kachchh.
VSAQ
8
Which medicinal plant has high antibiotic and antibacterial properties?
Answer
Neem.
VSAQ
9
Name the forest which is affected by tides in coastal areas.
Answer
Mangrove.
VSAQ
10
Name the vegetation which does not belong to the category of natural vegetation?
Answer
Horticulture.
VSAQ
11
Why are moist tropical deciduous forests more prominent in the eastern and central parts of India?
Answer
These areas experience 100 to 200 cm of annual rainfall.
VSAQ
12
Which forest is affected by tides in coastal areas?
Answer
Mangroves.
VSAQ
13
What is the name of plant community which has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by humans for long time?
Answer
Virgin vegetation.
VSAQ
14
Which parts of Himalayas are covered with dense forest?
Answer
Southern.
VSAQ
15
Silver fir is found in which vegetation zone?
Answer
Montane.
VSAQ
16
Which is the natural habitat of the Indian lion?
Answer
Gir forest in Gujarat.
VSAQ
17
In which state is Dachigam National Park located?
Answer
In Jammu and Kashmir.
VSAQ
18
In which state is the Sunderban Bio-Reserve located?
Answer
In West Bengal.
VSAQ
19
Which animal lives in the swampy and marshy lands of Assam and West Bengal?
Answer
One-horned rhinoceros.
VSAQ
20
Which bio-reserve of India is not included in the world network bio-reserve?
Answer
Manas.
VSAQ
1
How do climatic factors influence the vegetation cover of India? Explain.
Answer
• The character and extent of vegetation are mainly determined by temperature, along with humidity in the air, precipitation and soil. The fall in the temperature affects the types of vegetation and its growth and changes it from tropical to subtropical, temperate and alpine vegetation.
• The variation in duration of sunlight at different places is due to differences in latitude, altitude, season and duration of the day. Due to longer duration of sunlight, trees grow faster in summer.
• Areas of heavy rainfall have more dense vegetation as compared to other areas of less rainfall.
SAQ
2
Describe natural vegetation and distinguish between flora and fauna.
Answer
• Natural vegetation refers to a plant community which has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time.
• The term flora is used to denote plants of a particular region or period. All the flowering and non-flowering plants from a tiny fungus to a creeper to a big tree is called flora.
• The species of animals are referred to as fauna. All the animal species staring from a tiny bacteria to a big elephant is called fauna.
SAQ
3
How are forests useful to human being?
Answer
Forests are renewable resources and play a major role in enhancing the quality of environment. They modify local climate, control soil erosion, regulate stream flow, support a variety of industries, provide livelihood for many communities and offer panoramic or scenic view for recreation. It controls wind force and temperature and causes rainfall. It provides humus to the soil and shelter to the wild life.
SAQ
4
A great variety of flora is found in India. Give three geographical factors responsible for this diversification of flora.
Answer
Factors responsible for huge diversity of Flora and Fauna:
• Land: Nature of land influences the type of vegetation. For example, land for agriculture and undulating land for forests.
• Soil: Different types of soils provide basis for different vegetation.
• Temperature: Vegetation differs from low temperature to high temperature.
SAQ
5
Why has India’s natural vegetation undergone many changes in the recent past? Explain.
Answer
• For the development of industries, more transportation and raw materials needed for which forests are cut down.
• Growing demand for cultivation requires more land for which forests are cleared.
• Increasing urbanisation and overgrazing of pastures.
SAQ
6
Explain any three major threats to the rich biodiversity of India.
Answer
The rich biodiversity of India is threatened by:
• Hunting by greedy hunters.
• Pollution due to chemical and industrial wastes.
• Reckless cutting of forests for cultivation, inhabitation, railway expansion, etc.
SAQ
7
What is an ecosystem? Explain any two reasons of ecological imbalance.
Answer
An ecosystem is a system which comprises the physical environment and the organism living therein. Two reasons of ecological imbalance:
• The greed of human beings that led to over utilization of these natural resources.
• Felling of trees and killing of animals, also create ecological imbalance.
SAQ
8
Describe the kind of vegetation and wildlife found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.
Answer
The Ganga-Brahmaputra delta is covered by mangrove forests, mainly Sundari trees which provide durable hard timber. Palm, coconut, keora, agar also grow in some parts of the delta. Royal Bengal tiger is the famous animal found here. Turtles, crocodiles, gharials and snakes are also found in these forests.
SAQ
9
How do the human beings influence the ecology of a region?
Answer
They utilise the vegetation and wild life. The greed of human beings leads over utilisation of these resources. They cut the trees and kill the animals creating ecological imbalance.
As a result some of the plants and animals have reached the verge of extinction.
SAQ
10
Explain the main causes which are a threat to the ecosystem.
Answer
• Hunting and poaching by greedy hunters for commercial purpose and their profits.
• Pollution due to chemical and industrial waste and acid deposits.
• Introduction of alien species and reckless cutting of forests to bring land under cultivation.
SAQ
11
Where are evergreen forests found in India? Name any two regions. Give any two characteristics of these forests.
Answer
Evergreen forests are found in the Western Ghats, Lakshadweep Islands, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, upper parts of Assam and on Tamil Nadu coast.
Characteristics of these forests:
• The trees reach great heights upto 60 meter or even above.
• There is no definite time for trees to shed their leaves, as such these forests appear green all year round.
SAQ
12
Describe the climatic conditions of Tropical Deciduous forests.
Answer
• Climate of tropical deciduous forests is influenced by the monsoons.
• These forests are found in regions receiving rainfall between 70 – 200 cm.
• Trees in these forests shed their leaves for 6-8 weeks in dry summer, to conserve moisture.
SAQ
13
What are the main characteristics of tropical rain forests?
Answer
Characteristics of Tropical Rain Forests:
• They are wet evergreen forests.
• They are found in areas having hot and humid climate.
• Trees of these forests are tall, thick and have vigorous growth.
• Trees have hardwood and have large number of species.
SAQ
14
Write any three features of dry deciduous forests.
Answer
• The dry deciduous forests are found in areas having rainfall between 70–100 cm.
• These forests are found in the rainier parts of the peninsular plateau and the plains of Bihar and U.P.
• They are open stretches in which teak, sal, peepal and neem grow.
SAQ
15
Which animals are found in the Montane forests? Name any six.
Answer
The common animals found in these forests are the Kashmir stag, spotted deer, wild sheep, jack rabbit, Tibetan antelope, yak, snow leopard, squirrels, shaggy horn wild ibex, bear and rare red panda, sheep and goats with thick hair.
SAQ
16
Name the vegetation found at high altitude in our country and mention the animals which are found in this region.
Answer
Montane forests are found at high altitudes in our country. These forests are wet temperate types.
• Trees found in these forests are deodar, fir, cedar (1500-3000 m). Silver fir and junipers (one found at a height of more than 3600 m above sea level.
• Animals found in these forests are spotted deer, wild sheep, jack rabbit, yak etc.
• Its regions include slopes of the Himalayas and North- East India.
SAQ
17
What is Kiang? Where is it found in India? Name any two other animals found with Kiang.
Answer
Kiang is a Tibetan Ass. It is found in Ladakh and Himalayas. The two other animals found with Kiang are Tibetan antelope, the Bharal (blue sheep), wild sheep.
SAQ
18
What is a Bioreserve? Mention its main objectives.
Answer
An area preserving wildlife, landforms and water bodies, while providing public use and enjoyment of a natural environment. Its main objectives are:
• To protect the flora and fauna of the country.
• To support the local communities to maintain the natural environment.
SAQ
1
Why are forests important for human beings?
Answer
• Forests are renewable resources and play a major role in enhancing the quality of the environment.
• They modify the local climate and control soil erosion.
• They regulate the flow of streams and support a variety of industries like the rubber industry.
• Forests also provide a livelihood for many communities.
• They also offer panoramic or scenic view for recreation.
• They control the wind force and temperature and cause rainfall.
• They provide humus to the soil and shelter to wildlife.
LAQ
2
Describe any five characteristics features of tropical rain forests of India.
Answer
• Tropical rain forests are restricted to heavy rainfall areas of India.
• They are at their best in areas having more than 200 cm of rainfall with a short dry season.
• The trees found in these forests reach great heights upto 60 metres or even above.
• Since the region is warm and wet throughout the year it has luxuriant vegetation of all kindstrees, shrubs and creepers giving it a multilayered structure.
• There is no definite time for trees to shed their leaves.
• As such, these forests appear green all the year round.
• Some of the commercially important trees of this forest are ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber and cinchona.
• The common animals found in these forests are elephant, monkey, lemur and deer.
LAQ
3
Describe any five features of mountainous forests of India.
Answer
• In mountainous areas, the decrease in temperature with increasing altitude leads to a corresponding change in natural vegetation thus making a succession of natural vegetation belts.
• 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.
• Between 1500 and 3000 metres, temperate forests containing coniferous trees like pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce and cedar are found.
• These forests cover mostly the southern slopes of the Himalayas, places at high altitude in southern and North-east India.
• At higher elevations, temperate grasslands are common.
• At high altitudes, generally more than 3600 metres above 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.
LAQ
4
Give a brief description of the mangrove forests.
Answer
• The mangrove tidal forests are found in the areas of coasts influenced by tides
• Dense mangroves are the common varieties with roots of plants submerged under water.
• The deltas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Kaveri and Krishna are covered with such vegetation.
• In the Ganga-Brahmputra Delta, Sundari trees are found which provide durable hard timber.
• Palm, coconut, keora, agar, also grow in some parts of the delta.
• The Royal Bengal Tiger is the most famous animal in these forests. Turtles, crocodiles, gharials and snakes are also found in these forests.
LAQ
5
What are the measures taken to protect the flora and fauna by government of India?
Answer
• The Wild life Protection Act was passed in 1972.
• Fourteen biosphere reserves have been set up in the country to protect flora and fauna.
• Four out of these, the Sunderbans in the West Bengal, Nanda Devi in Uttaranchal, the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiris (Kerala, Karnataka and Tami Nadu) have been included in the world network of Biosphese reserves.
• Financial and technical assistance is provided to many Botanical Gardens by the government since 1992.
• Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard and many other eco-developmental projects have been introduced.
• 89 National Parks, 490 Wildlife sanctuaries and many Zoological gardens are setup to take care of Natural heritage.
LAQ
6
What are the main characteristics of the Thom Forests and Scrubs?
Answer
• In regions which receive less than 70 cm of rainfall, the natural vegetation consists of thorny trees.
• This type of vegetation is found in the north-western part of the country including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, UP and Haryana.
• Acacia, palms, euphorbias and cacti are the main plant species.
• Trees are scattered and have long roots penetrating deep into the soil in order to get moisture.
• Leaves are mostly thick and small to minimise evaporation.
• These forests give way to thorn forests and scrubs in arid areas.
• In these forests, the common animals are rats, mice, rabbits, fox, the wolf, tiger, lion, wild ass, horses and camels.
LAQ