Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Class 9 Questions Answers – The NCERT solutions, which covers the topic of natural vegetation and wildlife, are a valuable resource for students preparing for their CBSE term II exams. These solutions, created by subject matter experts, will assist students in understanding the concepts and topics covered in the chapter, and enable them to deliver well-prepared answers in the exam.
Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Class 9 Questions Answers
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
i. To which one of the following types of vegetation does rubber belong to?
a. Tundra
b. Tidal
c. Himalayan
d. Tropical Evergreen
ii. Cinchona trees are found in the areas of rainfall more than
a. 100 cm
b. 50 cm
c. 70 cm
d. less than 50 cm
iii. In which of the following state is the Simlipal bio-reserve located?
a. Punjab
b. Odisha
c. Delhi
d. West Bengal
iv. Which one of the following bio-reserves of India is not included in the world network of bioreserve?
a. Manas
b. Nilgiri
c. Gulf of Mannar
d. Panna
2. Answer the following questions briefly.
a. What factors are responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India?
Answer –
Climatic conditions:
- Temperature
- Photoperiod
- Humidity
- Precipitation
Relief:
- Land
- Soil
b. What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples.
Answer – A biosphere reserve is a protected area that is designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the conservation of biodiversity. Biosphere reserves are intended to be areas where conservation and sustainable use of natural resources are balanced, and where research and monitoring can take place.
- The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Gulf of Mannar): This biosphere reserve is located in the Western Ghats mountain range in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. It is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including several endangered species such as the Asiatic elephant and the Bengal tiger.
- The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve: This biosphere reserve is located in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in the states of West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is known for its mangrove forests and is home to a number of threatened species, including the saltwater crocodile and the royal Bengal tiger.
c. Name two animals having habitat in tropical and montane type of vegetation.
Answer –
Tropical
- The Asian elephant: The Asian elephant is found in a variety of habitats in India, including tropical rainforests, grasslands, and montane forests. In the montane forests of the Western Ghats, the Asian elephant can be found at elevations of up to 2,000 meters.
- The Bengal tiger: The Bengal tiger is found in a variety of habitats in India, including tropical rainforests, grasslands, and montane forests. In the montane forests of the Himalayas, the Bengal tiger can be found at elevations of up to 4,000 meters.
Montane
- The Himalayan tahr: The Himalayan tahr is a goat-like animal that is native to the Himalayan region of India. It is found at elevations of up to 4,500 meters in montane forests and grasslands.
- The snow leopard: The snow leopard is a large cat species that is native to the montane forests and grasslands of the Himalayas. It is found at elevations of up to 5,500 meters.
3. Distinguish between
a. Flora and Fauna
Answer – Flora refers to the plant life of a particular region or ecosystem, while fauna refers to the animal life of a particular region or ecosystem. In India, there is a wide variety of both flora and fauna due to the country’s diverse geography and climate.
Some of the major differences between flora and fauna in India are:
- Diversity: India has a rich and varied flora and fauna, with a wide range of plant and animal species found throughout the country.
- Adaptation: Plants and animals in India have adapted to a wide range of ecological conditions, including different climates, soil types, and elevations.
- Distribution: The distribution of flora and fauna in India is largely determined by the climate and geography of a particular region.
- Role in the ecosystem: Both flora and fauna play important roles in the functioning of ecosystems in India. Plants provide food and habitat for animals, while animals help to disperse seeds and pollinate flowers.
b. Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests
Answer – Tropical evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forests are two types of forests that are found in tropical regions of the world, including India. Here are some key differences between these two types of forests:
- Leaf retention: Tropical evergreen forests are characterized by their ability to retain their leaves throughout the year, while tropical deciduous forests lose their leaves during the dry season.
- Canopy structure: Tropical evergreen forests have a dense canopy structure with multiple layers of vegetation, while tropical deciduous forests have a more open canopy structure with fewer layers of vegetation.
- Precipitation: Tropical evergreen forests are found in areas with high levels of rainfall throughout the year, while tropical deciduous forests are found in areas with a distinct dry season.
- Species diversity: Tropical evergreen forests tend to have a higher species diversity than tropical deciduous forests due to their ability to support a wide range of plant and animal life throughout the year.
- Human use: Both tropical evergreen and deciduous forests are important for human use, including timber production, medicine, and tourism. However, tropical deciduous forests are often more heavily exploited due to their more open canopy structure and their location in areas with a growing human population.
4. Name different types of Vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes.
Answer – India is home to a wide variety of vegetation due to its diverse geography and climate. Here are some of the different types of vegetation found in India:
- Tropical rainforests: These forests are found in the humid and wet regions of the country, such as the Western Ghats and the northeastern states. They are characterized by their dense canopy structure and high levels of rainfall.
- Deciduous forests: These forests are found in the eastern and central parts of the country and are characterized by their ability to shed their leaves during the dry season.
- Coniferous forests: These forests are found in the higher altitudes of the Himalayas and are characterized by their coniferous trees, such as pines and firs.
- Grasslands: These grassy ecosystems are found in the dry regions of the country, such as the Thar Desert and the Deccan Plateau.
- Mangrove forests: These forests are found in the coastal regions of the country and are characterized by their ability to thrive in saltwater environments.
5. Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India. Why?
Answer – There are several reasons why some plant and animal species in India are endangered. Some of the main factors contributing to their decline include:
- Habitat loss: One of the main reasons for the decline of many species in India is the loss and degradation of their natural habitats. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as urbanization, deforestation, and the conversion of land to agricultural use.
- Climate change: Climate change is having a significant impact on many species in India, particularly those that are adapted to specific climatic conditions. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can affect the availability of food and other resources, as well as the distribution and behavior of species.
- Poaching and illegal trade: Some species in India are endangered due to poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. This includes species that are sought after for their valuable body parts, such as tigers and rhinoceroses, as well as species that are popular as exotic pets.
- Invasive species: The introduction of non-native species to India can also have negative impacts on native species. Invasive species can compete with native species for resources and habitat, and may also introduce new diseases or predators.
6. Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna?
Answer – India has a rich heritage of flora and fauna due to a combination of factors, including its diverse climate, topography, and geological history. India’s varied landscape, which ranges from the snowy Himalayan mountains to the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats, supports a wide range of plant and animal life. The country is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal areas, each of which supports unique plant and animal communities.
India’s geographical location also plays a role in its biodiversity. The country is located at a crossroads between several major biogeographical regions, including the Palearctic, Afrotropic, and Indomalaya regions, which have contributed to the rich diversity of its flora and fauna.