Discuss various types of forests. [V. Imp.]
Types of forests: ,
1. Tropical evergreen forests. These forest are very dense and found in the regions near the equator and close to the tropics. These regions receive heavy rain throughout the year. The trees of these forests do not shed their leaves altogether and therefore they remain green all the time. Hardwood trees like rosewood, ebony and mahogany are found here.
2. Tropical deciduous forests. These forest are found in the regions which experience seasonal changes. Trees shed their leaves in the dry season to conserve water. The hardwood trees like sal, teak, neem and shisham are found here. Animals like tigers, lions, elephants, langoors and monkeys are common in these forests.
3. Temperate evergreen forests. These forests are commonly found along the eastern margin of the continents. They comprise both hard and softwood trees. For example, oak, pine, eucalyptus etc.
4. Temperate deciduous forests. Trees of these forests shed their leaves in dry ‘season'. Oak, ash, beech, etc. are common trees here. Deer, foxes, wolves, etc. are common animals in these forests.
5. Mediterranean vegetation. It is mostly found in the areas around the Mediterranean sea in Europe, Africa and Asia. Citrus fruits like oranges, figs, olives and grapes are commonly cultivated in the mediterranean regions.
6. Coniferous forests. They are also called Taiga. They are tall, softwood evergreen trees. Chir, pine, cedar are important variety of trees in these forests. Silver, fox, mink, polar bear are the common animals found here.
How is height of land and the character of vegetation related with each other? [V. Imp.]
Give reasons:
(a) The animals in polar region have thick fur and thick skin.
(b) Tropical deciduous frees shed their leaves in the dry season.
(c) The type and thickness of vegetation changes from place to place.
Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) Which are the two factors on which the growth of vegetation mostly depends?
(b) Which are the three broad categories of natural vegetation?
(c) Name the two hardwood trees commonly found in tropical evergreen forest
(d) In which part of the world are tropical deciduous forests found?
(e) In which climatic conditions are citrus fruits cultivated?
(f) Mention the uses of coniferous forest.
(g) In which part of the world is seasonal grassland found?
For Fun:
In the crossword table given below, some words are hidden. They are all about vegetation and wildlife and are to be found horizontally and vertically. Two have been worked out for you. Work in pairs with a friend
Activity:
(a) Collect pictures and photographs of forests and grasslands of different parts of world. Write one sentence below each picture.
(b) Make a collage of rainforest, grassland and coniferous forests.