Study Of Natural Vegetation In India.docx

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT :

It’s my proud privilege to express my profound sense of gratitude and sincere indebtedness to honourable EVS Professor Ananya Kundu Dey. She was always affectionate and pain taking. I am highly obliged to her for the guidance. I will express my thanks to the Head of Department, for extending his support. My deep sense of gratitude to my friends for their support and guidance. I would also thank my institution and my faculty member without whom this project would have been a distant reality. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to my family and well wisher for their encouragement and cooperation.

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CONTENT :

SERIAL NO.

TOPIC NAME

PAGE NO.

1

ABSTRACT

3

2

NATURAL VEGETATION

4

3

ROLE NATURAL VEGETATION PLAY IN INDIA & ENVIROMENT

5

4

TYPES OF NATURAL VEGETATION

6

5

GRASSLAND VEGETATION

12

6

STUDY AREA WITH LOCATION

14

7

METHODOLOGY

15

8

CONCLUSION

16

9

BIBLIOGRAPHY

17

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ABSTRACT :

India is situated at tropical latitudes and diverse temperature and rainfall region. The overall climate of India is suitable for the growth of forest. The climate formation of Indian Subcontinent have been altered much due to human activities in last few thousand years. However the remaining vegetation shows that the Natural Vegetation of India primarily consist of forests. The grassland found in the region are not natural plant formations but have originated secondarily due to destruction of natural forests in some places. Therefore these represents various stages of succession development due to influence of a variety of biotic influences. Natural Vegetation refers to a natural growth of a plant community in a region without any human intervention. It is a key component of an ecosystem and such is involved in the regulations of biogeochemical cycles, eg. water, carbon, nitrogen etc.

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NATURAL VEGETATION :

Natural Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region. Natural Vegetation refers to a plant community which has grown naturally without human aid. Natural vegetation is also termed as “FLORA”.

Natural Vegetation can be found in all climates and conditions, even in the most unlikely places like deserts. There are many different factors which play an important role in affecting the type of vegetation that grows in a specific area. Rainfall patterns and average annual temperature ranges play important roles in affecting the type of vegetation that grows in a specific region.

The natural vegetations are classified simply into a few different groups, tropical, deciduous and temperate and mangrove forests. There are also the tropical savannas and temperate grassland together with the hot desert and the cold tundra vegetations.

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ROLE NATURAL VEGITATION PLAY IN INDIA & ENVIROMENT : 

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India’s climate helps in the growth of forests in the country. Natural Vegetation is a key component of an ecosystem and as such is involved in the regulation of various biogeochemical cycles. It converts solar energy into biomass and forms the base of all food chains. It influences the energy balance at the earth’s surface and within the atmospheric boundary layer, often mitigating extremes of local climate. It provides direct (e.g., timber) and indirect (e.g., watershed protection) socioeconomic products and services for humans. It releases oxygen and sequesters carbon. It affects soil development over time, generally contributing to a more productive soil. It provides wildlife habitat and food. It monitor changes in cover, composition, and structure due to natural or human-influenced events and set conservation and habitat management goals.

FIG: ROLE OF NATURAL VEGETATION IN INDIA

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TYPES OF NATURAL VEGETATION :

MOIST TROPICAL FOREST : Tropical forests cover 7% of the terrestrial surface of the planet, but provide habitat for more than 50% of all plant and animal species. Rainforests have equal rain throughout the year; other tropical forests have distinct dry seasons. TROPICAL MOIST EVERGREEN FOREST : These are typical rain forests which grow in those areas where the annual rainfall exceeds 250 cm, the annual temperature is about 25°-27°C. These are lofty, very dense multilayered forests. The trees often reach 45 metres in height. The true evergreen forests are found along the western side of the Western Ghats south of Mumbai, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The important species of these forests are mesua, white cedar, calophyllum, toon, dhup, palaquium, hopea, jamun, canes, etc.

FIG 2 : TROPICAL MOIST EVERGREEN FOREST

TROPICAL MOIST SEMI-EVERGREEN FOREST : The semievergreen forests are less dense but more gregarious than the wet evergreen forests. These forests are characterised by many species, frequently buttressed trunks, rougher and thicker bark, heavy climbers, less bamboos. These forests are found on the Western coast, Assam, lower slopes of the Eastern 6|Page

Himalayas, Orissa. The important species of these forests are Aini, semul, kadam, irul, laurel, rosewood. TROPICAL MOIST DECIDUOUS FOREST : Tropical Deciduous Forest are the most widespread forest in India. They are also called the Monsoon Forest. They are found in the North-Eastern states of Jharkhand, West Orissa and Chattisgarh. They are also found in the plains of Bihar and Uttar Pardesh. Teak, Sal, Peepal, Neem are some varities of trees found here. LITTORAL AND SWAMP FOREST : The most peculiar feature of these forests is that they can survive and grow both in fresh as well as brackish water. It provides useful fuel wood. Littoral forests occur at several places along the coast, swamp forests are confined to the deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Cauvery. It provides hard and durable timber which is used for construction and building purposes as well as for making boats. The important species found in these forests are Sundri, agar, bhendi, keora, nipa, amur, bhara.

FIG 3 : LITTORAL FOREST

DRY TROPICAL FOREST : Dry forests account for nearly half of the world’s tropical and subtropical forests. The timber and non-timber products they provide are essential to the livelihoods and well-being of millions of the India’s poorest people. 7|Page

TROPICAL DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST : The Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests are actually a type of the Indian deciduous or monsoon forests and they are mainly found in both Northern India and in South Deccan plateau in India. The northern Indian dry deciduous forests are mainly located across the Indian states of Bihar, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh. Sal is the most significant tree found in the dry deciduous forests. TROPICAL DRY EVERGREEN FOREST : The growth of evergreen forests in areas of such low rainfall arouses great botanical interest. It may be due to the seasonal distribution of rainfall. Most of rainfall occurs in winter. The chief characteristics of these forests are short statured trees, upto 12 m high, with complete canopy. Along the coasts of Tamil Nadu are areas covered by these type of forest. The important species are khirni Jamun, kokko, ritha, tamarind, neem, canes, etc

FIG 4 : TROPICAL DRY EVERGREEN FOREST

SUB TROPICAL FOREST : Subtropical Forests eco region is one of the wettest eco regions in the Indo-Pacific region. The subtropical forests lies between the tropical lowlands of the Lower Gangetic Plains and the Brahmaputra Valley. It is a center of diversity for the tree genera Magnolia and Michelia.

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SUB TROPICAL BROAD LEAF HILL FOREST : Broad-leaved forests are found in the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats, along the Silent Valley. In the Silent Valley, cinnamon, rhododendron, and fragrant grass are predominant. These wet forests consist mainly of evergreen trees with a sprinkling of deciduous here and there. There are oak, alder, chestnut, birch, and cherry trees. There are a large variety of orchids, bamboo and creepers. SUB TROPICAL DRY EVERGREEN FOREST : Dry evergreen forests normally have a prolonged hot and dry season and a cold winter. It generally has evergreen trees with shining leaves that have a varnished look. Some of the more common ones are the pomegranate, olive, and oleander. These forests are found in the Shivalik Hills and foothills of the Himalayas up to a height of 1000 metres.

SUB TROPICAL PINE FOREST : Pine forests are found in the steep dry slopes of the Shivalik Hills, Western and Central Himalayas, Khasi, Naga, and Manipur Hills. The trees predominantly found in these areas are the chir, oak, rhododendron, and pine. In the lower regions sal, sandan, amla, and laburnum are found. TEMPERATE FOREST : Temperate Rainforests typically have heavy rainfall and dense humidity. The forests have trees, shrubs and bushes. There is less undergrowth. Hardwood evergreen trees which are widely spaced and are found in the Mediterranean region are olive, cork, oak, and stone pine. WET TEMPERATE FOREST : Wet temperate forests occur in the North and the South. It is found in the region to the east of Nepal into Arunachal Pradesh. It is found in parts of the Nilgiri 9|Page

Hills, the higher reaches of Kerala. The forests in the northern region are denser than in the South. Deodar, Indian chestnut, birch, plum, blue pine, oak, hemlock, etc. are important species.

FIG 5 : WET TEMPERATE

DRY TEMPERATE FOREST : Such forests are found in the inner dry ranges of the Himalayas where south-west monsoon is very feeble and the precipitation is below 100 cm, mostly snow. Such areas are in Ladakh, Lahul, Chamba, Kinnaur, Garhwal and Sikkim and other parts of the Himalayas. There are predominantly coniferous trees that are not too tall, along with broad-leaved trees. The main trees are chilgoza, oak, ash, maple, olive, celtis, parrotia, etc. ALPINE FOREST : The Alpine forests occur all along the Himalayas at altitudes ranging between 2,900 to 3,500 m or even up-to 3800 m above sea level.

SUB-ALPINE FOREST : The sub- alpine forests occur at the upper limit of tree forest adjoining alpine scrub and grasslands and comprise of dense growth of small crooked trees and large shrubs with coniferous over-wood. Fir, spruce, rhododendron, plum, yew, etc. are important species.

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MOIST ALPINE SCRUB FOREST : Moist alpines are found all along the Himalayas and on the higher hills near the Myanmar border. It has a low scrub, dense evergreen forest, consisting mainly of rhododendron and birch. Mosses and ferns cover the ground in patches. This region receives heavy snowfall. Juniper, honeysuckle etc. are important species.

FIG 6 : MOIST ALPINE SCRUB FOREST

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GRASSLAND VEGETATION : Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses, however sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica. Grasslands are found in most eco-regions of the Earth. Grassland vegetation can vary in height from very short, as in chalk grassland, to quite tall.

FIG 7 : GRASSLAND VEGETATION

Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters. Seasonal drought and occasional fires help maintain these grasslands. Grasslands have soils that are nutrient-rich from the growth and decay of deep, many-branched grass roots. Overgrazing by livestock and ploughing are the two greatest threats to temperate grasslands. No other habitat is as agriculturally useful to humans as grasslands. Soils tend to be deep and fertile, perfect for cropland or pastures.

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There are two main divisions of grasslands in India : (1)

(2)

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Tropical Grasslands : Tropical grassland are also called Savannas. Savannas is grassland with scattered individual trees. Savannas of one sort or another cover almost half the surface of Africa, South America, and India. Climate is the most important factor in creating a savannas. Savannas are always found in warm or hot climates. It is crucial that the rainfall is concentrated in six or eight months of the year, followed by a long period of drought when fires can occur. The predominant vegetation consists of grasses and forbs. There are also some environmental concerns regarding savannas such as poaching, overgrazing, and clearing of the land for crops. TEMPERATE GRASSLAND : Temperate grasslands are characterized as having grasses as the dominant vegetation. Trees and large shrubs are absent. Rainfall is moderate. However, a few trees, such as cottonwoods, oaks, and willows grow in river valleys grow among the grasses.

STUDY AREA :

India Latitude and Longitudinal position is 21.00 Degree N and 78.00 Degree E 14 | P a g e

METHODOLOGY : India is a large and diverse country. Its land area includes regions with some of the world's highest rainfall to very dry deserts, coast line to alpine regions, river deltas to tropical islands. The variety and distribution of forest vegetation is large: there are 600 species of hardwoods, including Sal (Shorea Robusta). India is one of the 17 mega biodiversity regions of the world. According to India's 2013 forest survey report, the forest cover in top five states has increased, with the exception of Arunachal Pradesh:

STATE

AREA (IN MILLION HECTARE) 2013 7.75

AREA (IN MILLION HECTARE) 2007 7.64

Arunachal Pradesh

6.73

6.8

Chhattisgarh

5.6

5.6

Maharashtra

5.06

4.83

Orissa

5.03

4.68

Madhya Pradesh

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CONCLUSION :

If Natural Vegetation is not present in India then the effect in India will be a drastic impact. The proposed action may result in a loss of Flora and Fauna both. Natural Vegetation are used by all the Fauna (insects, reptiles, mammals, etc). For threatened and endangered animals species, modification of their habitats not only adversely affect the animals and also their ability to survive. Once Vegetations are lost, then there is likely to be a loss of fauna as well. As Vegetations are lost, animals could die due to lack of food or cover, or may move to other locations, if available. A reduction in a population of species of special concern can occur if there is either mortality of individuals or loss of vegetation. Because there is a close relationship between loss of individuals and populations and loss of vegetations, reviewing agencies should carefully consider these questions together and in the larger context of the needs of those species. It may not be a rare habitat, but may be part of a much larger area needed to support the individuals that are part of the population. So, there is an immense need of Natural Vegetation in India.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY :

Books/sources that have helped me in making this project are as follows :

Yourarticlelibrary.com Wikipedia.org Biology.about.com Fao.org Edugreen.teri.res.in Learnnext.com Enviromentofearth.com Dronaias.com Ucmp.berkeley.edu School Geog by Arun Shankar Pal and Sushmita Choudhary

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