Natural Vegetation and Wild Life — Study Notes

1. Introduction

The natural world is filled with a wonderful variety of plants and animals. Plants that grow without any human help or interference are called natural vegetation, and the animals that live in the wild are called wild life. Together, they form the natural wealth of our planet, providing us with food, medicines, wood, oxygen, and beauty.

Natural vegetation is not the same everywhere. In the hot and rainy regions of the equator grow dense evergreen forests, while in the dry deserts we find only thorny bushes and cacti. The type of vegetation that grows in a region depends mainly on its climate - especially temperature and rainfall - as well as on the soil. This chapter explores the different types of natural vegetation, the wild life they support, and the need to protect them.

2. What is Natural Vegetation?

Vegetation that grows naturally in a region without any human intervention is called natural vegetation. This includes forests, grasslands, and scrubs. When natural vegetation is destroyed by human activity, new plants may grow in its place; this new growth is called secondary vegetation. The natural vegetation of a region depends on:

• Climate: Temperature, rainfall, and sunlight are the most important factors.
• Soil: Different plants grow in different types of soil.
• Relief: Vegetation grows differently on mountains, plains, and deserts.

The natural vegetation of a region and the wild life it supports together form the natural ecosystem of that region. India, with its great diversity of climate and relief, has a rich variety of natural vegetation and wild life.

3. Types of Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation is broadly classified into three categories:

1. Forests: These grow in regions with high rainfall and grow very thickly. Trees cover large areas, and forests support the greatest variety of wild life.
2. Grasslands: These grow in regions with moderate rainfall. The rainfall is enough for grass but not enough for large trees. Savannas, prairies, steppes, and pampas are different types of grasslands.
3. Thorny bushes and scrubs: These grow in regions with very low rainfall, such as deserts, where only plants that can survive with little water can grow.

4. Forests: The Evergreen and Deciduous Types

Tropical Evergreen Forests

Tropical evergreen forests are found in regions with high temperature and heavy rainfall throughout the year, such as the equatorial regions and the Western Ghats of India. In these forests, the trees are tall and the leaves are always green, because the trees shed their leaves at different times. The forests are very dense, with a thick canopy that allows little sunlight to reach the ground.

Common trees of the tropical evergreen forests include rosewood, mahogany, ebony, and rubber. These forests support a rich variety of animals like monkeys, elephants, snakes, and hundreds of species of birds and insects. The wood of evergreen forests is valuable, but the forests are also important for the oxygen they produce and the wild life they shelter.

Tropical Deciduous Forests

Tropical deciduous forests, also called monsoon forests, are found in regions that receive moderate rainfall followed by a dry season. In these forests, the trees shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks in the dry season to conserve water. These forests are the most widespread in India.

Important trees of the tropical deciduous forests include teak, sal, sandalwood, neem, and shisham. These forests provide valuable timber, and they support a variety of animals including tigers, lions, elephants, deer, and monkeys. The tropical deciduous forests are divided into wet deciduous forests (higher rainfall) and dry deciduous forests.

5. Grasslands

Grasslands are found in regions where the rainfall is moderate - enough for grass to grow but not enough for trees. Grasslands are of two types: tropical grasslands and temperate grasslands.

• Tropical grasslands are found near the equator, between the tropics. The savannas of Africa and the savannas of South America are examples. They have tall grass and scattered trees.
• Temperate grasslands are found in the mid-latitudes, and they are known by different names in different places: the prairies of North America, the pampas of Argentina, the veldt of South Africa, and the steppes of Asia.

Grasslands support large herds of grazing animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, bison, and kangaroos, along with the predators that hunt them.

6. Thorny Bushes and Desert Vegetation

Thorny bushes and scrubs are found in regions with very low rainfall, like the deserts. Plants in these regions have to adapt to survive with very little water. They have long roots that reach deep into the ground, small or spiny leaves that reduce water loss, and thick stems that store water. Cacti, kikar, babool, and date palms are examples of desert vegetation.

Deserts are home to hardy animals like camels, lizards, snakes, and desert foxes, which have adapted to survive the extreme heat and scarcity of water. The camel, with its hump that stores fat and its ability to go for long periods without water, is the most famous desert animal.

7. Wild Life and its Importance

Wild life refers to all the animals, birds, insects, and other creatures that live in the wild, without human control. Wild life is an important part of the ecosystem, and it provides us with many benefits. Wild animals help to maintain the balance of nature, pollinate plants, and control pests. Wild life is also a source of wonder and beauty, and it attracts tourists from all over the world.

However, wild life is under threat. Forests are being cut down, poachers hunt animals for their skin, ivory, and horns, and pollution is destroying habitats. Many species of animals and plants are becoming endangered or extinct. It is our duty to protect wild life and their habitats, so that future generations can also enjoy the beauty and diversity of nature.

8. Conservation of Natural Vegetation and Wild Life

Conservation means protecting and preserving our natural resources. Several steps can be taken to conserve natural vegetation and wild life:

• Establishing national parks, wild life sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves where animals and plants are protected.
• Banning poaching and illegal trade in wild animals and their products.
• Planting trees and preventing deforestation.
• Creating awareness about the importance of nature.

In India, there are many national parks and sanctuaries, like the Kaziranga National Park (home of the one-horned rhinoceros), the Corbett National Park (tigers), and the Ranthambore National Park. The protection of forests and wild life is essential for the health of the planet and for the survival of future generations.

Quick Revision Tables

Table 1: Types of Natural Vegetation

Table 2: Grasslands of the World

Mind Map

Important Diagrams (SVG)

Diagram 1: Types of Natural Vegetation

Diagram 2: Wild Life Conservation in India

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing tropical evergreen forests with tropical deciduous forests; evergreen forests shed leaves at different times so always look green, while deciduous forests shed leaves in the dry season.
2. Thinking that grasslands need high rainfall; they grow where rainfall is moderate - enough for grass but not for trees.
3. Confusing the names of temperate grasslands: prairies (North America), pampas (Argentina), veldt (South Africa), steppes (Asia).
4. Believing that cactus and babool grow in the evergreen forests; they are desert vegetation adapted to low water.
5. Forgetting that the savanna is a tropical grassland of Africa, not a forest.
6. Thinking that secondary vegetation is the same as natural vegetation; secondary vegetation grows after the original is destroyed.
7. Confusing the animals of different regions: the one-horned rhinoceros is in Kaziranga (Assam), not in Rajasthan.

Exam Tips

1. List the three factors affecting natural vegetation: climate, soil, and relief.
2. For each vegetation type, remember the rainfall requirement and an example tree.
3. Memorise the five grasslands and their regions - a favourite matching question.
4. For wild life, know the famous parks: Kaziranga (rhinoceros), Corbett (tiger), Ranthambore (tiger).
5. Explain the adaptations of desert plants: long roots, spiny leaves, thick stems.
6. For conservation, suggest national parks, banning poaching, and planting trees.
7. Link vegetation to climate with examples from the equatorial, monsoon, and desert regions.

Conclusion

Natural vegetation and wild life are among the most precious gifts of nature. From the dense evergreen forests of the rainy regions to the deciduous forests of the monsoon lands, the grasslands of the moderate rainfall zones, and the thorny bushes of the deserts, every region of the earth supports its own unique community of plants and animals. This diversity is threatened by deforestation, poaching, and pollution, and many species are on the brink of extinction. By establishing national parks, protecting habitats, and using our resources wisely, we can conserve the natural wealth of the earth for ourselves and for generations to come.