Class 9 Social Science Geography Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

1. Short Notes for Revision

Biodiversity in India

  • Mega Biodiversity Country: India ranks 10th globally, 4th in Asia for plant diversity; ~47,000 plant species, 15,000 flowering (6% world total); also non-flowering like ferns, algae, fungi.
  • Animal Diversity: ~90,000 species; rich freshwater/marine fish; one of 12 mega-diverse nations.
  • Flora & Fauna: Flora = plants of a region/period; fauna = animals; endemic = native (e.g., virgin Indian species); exotic = introduced from outside.
  • Natural Vegetation: Plant communities grown naturally, undisturbed by humans (virgin vegetation); excludes crops/orchards.

Types of Vegetation

  • Tropical Evergreen Forests: Heavy rainfall (>200 cm), Western Ghats, NE India, islands; tall trees (60m+), multilayered (trees/shrubs/creepers), evergreen; trees—ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber; animals—elephant, monkey, lemur, deer, one-horned rhino (Assam/WB), birds/bats/sloth.
  • Tropical Deciduous Forests: Most widespread, monsoon type (70-200 cm rain); shed leaves 6-8 weeks in summer; moist (100-200 cm: NE, Himalayan foothills, E Ghats—teak, bamboo, sal, shisham); dry (70-100 cm: UP/Bihar plains, Peninsular—teak, peepal, neem); animals—lion, tiger, pig, deer, elephant, birds/lizards/snakes/tortoises.
  • Tropical Thorn Forests & Scrubs: <70 cm rain, arid regions (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, UP, MP); thorny trees/shrubs (acacia, cactus), grasses; animals—camel, wild ass, Indian bustard, blackbuck, foxes, wolves, rats.
  • Montane Forests: Altitude-based; low (1,000m): wet temperate (oaks, chestnuts—Himalayan foothills); mid (1,500-3,000m): coniferous (pines, deodars—Khasi/Jaintia/Garo hills); high (>3,600m): alpine (rhododendrons, silver fir—above timberline); animals—Kashmir stag, snow leopard, monal pheasant.
  • Mangrove Forests: Coastal saline/brackish (Sundarbans—WB, deltas of Mahanadi/Godavari/Krishna/Kaveri); salt-tolerant (sundari, palm, coconut); animals—Royal Bengal Tiger, snakes, turtles, crocodiles; act as tidal barriers.

Factors Affecting Distribution

  • Relief: Plains—deciduous; mountains—montane; coasts—mangrove.
  • Climate: Rainfall (evergreen >200 cm, thorn <70 cm); temperature (evergreen warm/wet).
  • Soil: Fertile alluvial—dense forests; laterite—sparse.
  • Socio-Economic: Deforestation for agriculture/urbanization reduces cover (21% forest area).

Wildlife Conservation

  • Threats: Habitat loss, hunting, poaching; e.g., cheetah extinct, tiger numbers low (1,411 in 2006).
  • Measures: Protected Areas—National Parks (89), Wildlife Sanctuaries (490), Biosphere Reserves (18); Project Tiger (1973—53 reserves, tiger pop. 2,967 in 2018); Joint Forest Management (1990s—community involvement).
  • Key Reserves: Kaziranga (rhino), Sundarbans (tiger), Gir (lion), Ranthambore (tiger), Dachigam (Kashmir stag).
  • Endangered Species: Asiatic lion (Gir), Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino (Kaziranga), red panda, great Indian bustard.

2. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  1. India ranks _____ in plant diversity globally. A) 4th B) 10th C) 12th D) 6th
  2. Natural vegetation that has grown without human aid is called: A) Exotic B) Endemic C) Virgin D) Cultivated
  3. Which vegetation type is found in areas with >200 cm rainfall? A) Thorn Forests B) Tropical Evergreen C) Montane D) Mangrove
  4. Teak is dominant in: A) Moist Deciduous Forests B) Thorn Scrubs C) Mangroves D) Alpine Meadows
  5. One-horned rhinoceros is found in: A) Gir Forest B) Sundarbans C) Assam/WB jungles D) Ranthambore
  6. Dry Deciduous Forests receive rainfall between: A) 200-100 cm B) 100-70 cm C) <70 cm D) >200 cm
  7. Montane Forests at 1,500-3,000 m have: A) Oaks B) Coniferous trees C) Thorny bushes D) Sundari
  8. Mangrove Forests are found in: A) Deserts B) Himalayan foothills C) Coastal deltas D) Western Ghats
  9. Project Tiger was launched in: A) 1973 B) 1990 C) 2006 D) 2018
  10. Which animal is endemic to Gir Forest? A) Tiger B) Asiatic Lion C) Rhino D) Elephant
  11. Factors affecting vegetation include all except: A) Relief B) Climate C) Soil D) Population density
  12. Number of National Parks in India: A) 18 B) 89 C) 490 D) 53
  13. Kaziranga is famous for: A) Lion B) One-horned Rhino C) Tiger D) Snow Leopard
  14. Which is not a coniferous tree? A) Pine B) Deodar C) Oak D) Silver Fir
  15. India’s forest cover percentage: A) 10% B) 21% C) 33% D) 47%
  16. Exotic plants are: A) Native to India B) Introduced from outside C) Flowering only D) Non-flowering
  17. Wildlife Sanctuaries number: A) 89 B) 490 C) 18 D) 12
  18. Thorn Forests have: A) Ebony B) Acacia, Cactus C) Teak D) Bamboo
  19. Biosphere Reserves in India: A) 53 B) 18 C) 89 D) 490
  20. Joint Forest Management started in: A) 1973 B) 1990s C) 2006 D) 2018

Answer Key: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-A, 5-C, 6-B, 7-B, 8-C, 9-A, 10-B, 11-D, 12-B, 13-B, 14-C, 15-B, 16-B, 17-B, 18-B, 19-B, 20-B

3. Very Short Answer Type Questions (VSAQs)

  1. Define flora. Answer: Plants of a particular region or period.
  2. What is virgin vegetation? Answer: Natural plant community undisturbed by humans.
  3. Name two trees in Tropical Evergreen Forests. Answer: Ebony and mahogany.
  4. Where are moist deciduous forests found? Answer: Northeastern states and Himalayan foothills.
  5. What is the dominant species in dry deciduous forests? Answer: Teak.
  6. Name an animal in thorn forests. Answer: Camel.
  7. What type of trees grow in montane forests above 3,600 m? Answer: Alpine vegetation like rhododendrons.
  8. Where are mangrove forests located? Answer: Coastal areas like Sundarbans.
  9. When was Project Tiger launched? Answer: 1973.
  10. Name a biosphere reserve. Answer: Nilgiri or Sundarbans.
  11. What is fauna? Answer: Animal species of a region.
  12. India’s rank in flowering plants globally. Answer: 6%.

4. Short Answer Type Questions (SAQs)

  1. Why is India called a mega biodiversity country? Answer: Hosts 47,000 plant species (10th globally) and 90,000 animals; diverse ecosystems from Himalayas to coasts support rich flora/fauna.
  2. Describe Tropical Evergreen Forests briefly. Answer: Found in >200 cm rain areas like Western Ghats/NE; tall, multilayered, evergreen trees (rosewood, rubber); wildlife includes elephants, rhinos.
  3. Differentiate moist and dry deciduous forests. Answer: Moist (100-200 cm rain): denser, teak/sal in east; dry (70-100 cm): open stretches, peepal/neem in plains, cleared for farming.
  4. Explain thorn forests and scrubs. Answer: In <70 cm rain arid zones; thorny xerophytes (acacia, cactus); sparse vegetation supports camels, bustards.
  5. What are montane forests? Answer: Vary with altitude—oaks low, conifers mid, alpine high; in Himalayas/Khasi hills; animals like snow leopards.
  6. Why are mangroves important? Answer: Stabilize coasts against tides; in deltas like Sundarbans; home to tigers, provide breeding grounds for fish.
  7. List factors influencing vegetation distribution. Answer: Relief (plains vs mountains), climate (rainfall/temp), soil type, human activities like deforestation.
  8. Describe conservation efforts for wildlife. Answer: Protected areas (parks/sanctuaries); Project Tiger (1973) increased numbers; biosphere reserves for holistic protection.
  9. Why has forest cover decreased? Answer: Agriculture expansion, urbanization, mining; now ~21% of land, down from historical levels.

5. Long Answer Type Questions (LAQs)

  1. Classify the major types of natural vegetation in India with distribution and characteristics. Tropical Evergreen: Rainforest (>200 cm), Western Ghats/NE/islands—tall, evergreen, multilayered (ebony/rubber), elephants/rhinos. Deciduous: Monsoon (70-200 cm), widespread—moist (teak/sal east), dry (neem plains), tigers/deer. Thorn: Arid (<70 cm), Rajasthan—thorny shrubs (acacia), camels. Montane: Altitudinal, Himalayas—conifers mid, alpine high, snow leopards. Mangrove: Coasts (Sundarbans), salt-tolerant (sundari), tigers/crocodiles. Distribution ties to climate/relief; supports biodiversity but threatened by humans.
  2. Discuss the wildlife of India and conservation challenges. India’s fauna includes 90,000 species, from Bengal tigers (Sundarbans) to Asiatic lions (Gir), rhinos (Kaziranga), snow leopards (Himalayas). Threats: habitat loss (deforestation 21% cover), poaching (tiger pop. fell to 1,411 in 2006). Conservation: National Parks (89, e.g., Ranthambore tigers), Sanctuaries (490), Biosphere Reserves (18, Nilgiri holistic). Project Tiger (1973, 53 reserves) boosted to 2,967 tigers (2018); Joint Forest Management involves locals. Successes like rhino recovery, but challenges persist—illegal trade, climate change. Map reference: NE for rhinos, Gujarat for lions.
  3. Explain factors affecting natural vegetation and wildlife distribution. Relief shapes types—plains deciduous, mountains montane. Climate key: high rain evergreen (Ghats), low thorn (Rajasthan). Soil influences density—alluvial fertile, laterite sparse. Socio-economic factors: agriculture clears forests (e.g., UP/Bihar), urbanization fragments habitats. Wildlife follows vegetation—tigers in deciduous, camels in thorn. Conservation counters impacts via parks (Kaziranga rhinos). Uneven distribution leads to endemics (Nilgiri tahr) but endangers species; sustainable use vital.
  4. Describe the role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity. Protected areas safeguard habitats: National Parks (89, strict, e.g., Jim Corbett tigers) ban exploitation; Sanctuaries (490, e.g., Gir lions) allow limited use. Biosphere Reserves (18, e.g., Sundarbans) balance conservation/development. Project Tiger (1973) created reserves, raising numbers via anti-poaching. Challenges: encroachment, but successes like tiger rebound show efficacy. Community involvement (JFM) aids locals economically. Map: Western Ghats (Nilgiri), NE (Kaziranga), coasts (Sundarbans). Essential for mega-diverse India amid threats.
  5. Analyze deforestation impacts and mitigation strategies. Deforestation for farms/mining reduced cover to 21%, causing soil erosion, biodiversity loss (e.g., bustard decline), floods. Wildlife suffers—habitat fragmentation isolates tigers. Mitigation: Afforestation, protected areas (89 parks), laws like Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Project Elephant (1992) protects corridors. Community forestry empowers locals. International ties (CITES) curb trade. Map: High loss in MP/UP; recovery in tiger reserves. Balanced growth key for sustainability.

6. Source-Based / Case-Based Assessment Questions

Source Extract (from NCERT on Tropical Deciduous Forests): “These are the most widespread forests of India… spread over the region receiving rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm. Trees of this forest type shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks in dry summer. On the basis of the availability of water, these forests are further divided into moist and dry deciduous… Teak is the most dominant species… In these forests, the common animals found are lion, tiger, pig, deer and elephant.”

  1. What rainfall range supports deciduous forests? (Factual Recall) Answer: 70-200 cm.
  2. Name the dominant tree species. (Factual Recall) Answer: Teak.
  3. Why do these trees shed leaves? (Concept Explanation) Answer: To conserve water during 6-8 week dry summer.
  4. Distinguish moist and dry subtypes. (Application) Answer: Moist (100-200 cm, denser east); dry (70-100 cm, open plains).
  5. List two animals from these forests. (Analytical) Answer: Tiger and elephant; adapted to varied habitats.
  6. How has human activity impacted these forests? (Critical Thinking) Answer: Cleared for cultivation/grazing, reducing density; conservation needed for wildlife.

Answer Key: (Progresses from recall to critical; aids exam skills.)

7. Solved Exercise-End Questions (NCERT Solutions)

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) Which of the following vegetation species is found in Thorny Forests and Scrubs? (a) Teak (b) Sal (c) Acacia (d) Pine Answer: (c) Acacia (Thorny, adapted to <70 cm rain.)

(ii) Which of the following vegetation species is found in Montane Forests? (a) Mahogany (b) Teak (c) Silver Fir (d) Ebony Answer: (c) Silver Fir (High altitude conifer.)

(iii) Which one of the following species is found in Tropical Evergreen Forests? (a) Teak (b) Rubber (c) Neem (d) Peepal Answer: (b) Rubber (Tall, evergreen in heavy rain.)

(iv) Which type of vegetation grows in the sandy soil having low rainfall? (a) Tropical Deciduous (b) Tropical Evergreen (c) Thorn and Scrubs (d) Montane Answer: (c) Thorn and Scrubs (Arid-adapted.)

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples. Answer: Ecosystem for conserving biodiversity with sustainable use; e.g., Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar.

(ii) Name two animals found in Tropical Evergreen Forests. Answer: Elephant and one-horned rhinoceros.

(iii) Where are moist deciduous forests found? Answer: Northeastern states, Himalayan foothills, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, eastern Western Ghats.

(iv) Name two trees found in Tropical Deciduous Forests. Answer: Teak and sal.

(v) Give two examples of endangered species in India. Answer: Bengal tiger and Asiatic lion.

(vi) Where are thorn forests found? Answer: Semi-arid regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana.

(vii) Name two trees found in Montane Forests. Answer: Pine and deodar.

(viii) Which one of the following is not a Bio-reserve? (a) Nilgiri (b) Nanda Devi (c) Dachigam (d) Nokrek Answer: (c) Dachigam (Wildlife sanctuary, not biosphere.)

3. Distinguish between Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous Forests.

Answer: Evergreen: >200 cm rain, Western Ghats/NE, tall multilayered trees (ebony/rubber) don’t shed leaves, elephants/rhinos. Deciduous: 70-200 cm, widespread plains, shed leaves in summer, teak/sal, tigers/deer. Evergreen denser/wetter; deciduous more exploited for timber.

4. Name the endangered species of animals in India.

Answer: Asiatic lion (Gir), Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino (Kaziranga), Kashmir stag (Dachigam), snow leopard (Himalayas), red panda (Sikkim), great Indian bustard (Rajasthan).

5. Name the different types of vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes.

Answer: Types: Tropical Evergreen, Deciduous (moist/dry), Thorn/Scrubs, Montane, Mangrove. High altitudes (>3,600 m): Alpine—rhododendrons, junipers, grasses; above timberline, shrubs/meadows; animals—yak, snow leopard.

Map Skills

On an outline map of India, mark the following: (i) Areas of Evergreen Forests. (ii) thorn and scrub forests. (iii) National Parks: Kaziranga, Ranthambore, Shivpuri, Chandaka, Simlipal, Nokrek. Answer: (i) Western Ghats, NE, Andamans; (ii) Rajasthan/Gujarat; (iii) Kaziranga (Assam), Ranthambore (Rajasthan), Shivpuri (MP), Chandaka (Odisha), Simlipal (Odisha), Nokrek (Meghalaya).

Project/Activity

Prepare a list of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Answer: National Parks (e.g., Corbett—UK, Kanha—MP, Sundarbans—WB); Sanctuaries (e.g., Periyar—KL, Mudumalai—TN). Total: 89 parks, 490 sanctuaries; focus on tiger/rhino reserves for report.

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