Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the characteristics of different terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, deserts, and grasslands.
- Recognize the distribution and unique traits of various Indian forest types.
- Identify the factors leading to deforestation and its impacts on the environment.
- Learn about the diverse types of grasslands and deserts and their significance in ecological balance.
Boreal forests, also known as taiga, are characterized by evergreen plant species such as spruce, fir, and pine trees. The fauna includes species like the lynx, wolf, bear, red fox, porcupine, and squirrel, along with amphibians such as Hyla and Rana.
Temperate deciduous forests thrive in moderate climates with broad-leaved trees that shed leaves in the fall. The precipitation remains fairly uniform year-round. The soils are typically deep and podzolic.
These forests occur in regions with a Mediterranean climate—warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Characterized by low broad-leafed evergreens, these ecosystems are adapted to frequent fires, enabling rapid plant regeneration.
Marked by distinct seasonality in temperature and rainfall, temperate rainforests experience heavy fog, often serving as a more crucial water source than rainfall. These forests have high biodiversity, though less than tropical rainforests.
Important Note: Penguins are warm-blooded with a layer of fat called “blubber” and are covered with fluffy down feathers for insulation. They rub oil onto their feathers to make them waterproof.
Located near the equator, tropical rainforests are among the richest ecosystems in terms of biodiversity. High temperatures and humidity remain constant throughout the year, with annual rainfall exceeding 200 cm.
Also known as monsoon forests, these occur in regions with high annual rainfall and distinct wet-dry seasons. Found in areas like Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and India.
These forests have broad-leaved evergreens and are characterized by lesser temperature differences between summer and winter. They share many similarities with tropical rainforests, including common animal life.
India’s diverse forests range from rainforests in Kerala to alpine pastures in Ladakh. Forests vary based on climate, soil type, and elevation.
Located along the Western Ghats, the Andaman Islands, and northeastern India. Characterized by tall evergreen trees such as jackfruit, betel nut palm, and mango, these forests have tiered vegetation, including shrubs, short trees, and ferns.
Found in the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas, these forests mix wet evergreen and moist deciduous trees, forming a dense canopy.
Did You Know? Elephants’ ears can reduce their blood temperature by 5°C due to their intricate web of blood vessels.
Spread across India except for the western and northwestern regions. Dominated by sal and teak, with an undergrowth layer of shorter trees and evergreen shrubs.
Located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta. Characterized by roots adapted for breathing in waterlogged conditions.
These forests, found in northern India, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, feature a canopy height of around 25 meters. Sal and various acacia species dominate this ecosystem.
Predominantly found in areas with black soil, such as North, West, and Central India, featuring typical species like cactus and spurge.
Situated in the Eastern Himalayas and the Silent Valley in the Western Ghats, these forests consist primarily of evergreen trees, such as oak, alder, chestnut, and cherry, along with various orchids and creepers.
Comparison of Forest Types:
| Forest Type | Location | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Boreal Forest | Northern latitudes | Evergreen, poor soil |
| Temperate Deciduous | Moderate climates | Broad-leaved, deep soils |
| Tropical Rain Forest | Near equator | High biodiversity, red latosols |
| Subtropical Rain Forest | Broad-leaved evergreen | Common epiphytes, similar fauna |
Grasslands occur in regions with 25-75 cm of annual rainfall. These biomes are found in temperate climates, notably in the Himalayas in India.
Important Note: Elephant trunks serve multiple functions, including grasping, smelling, and even uprooting trees.
Excessive grazing reduces mulch cover, tramples the soil surface, and disrupts biogeochemical cycles.
Fire management can maintain grasslands by favoring grasses over shrubs in moist conditions.
Deserts form in areas with less than 25 cm of annual rainfall. Climate varies by latitude and altitude, with hot deserts near the equator and cold deserts at higher latitudes.
Did You Know? The Thar Desert is a habitat for species like the Great Indian Bustard, blackbuck, and wild ass.
Desertification refers to land degradation leading to desert-like conditions, primarily due to human actions like deforestation, mining, and overgrazing.
India’s National Action Programme (2001) addresses desertification through afforestation and watershed management programs.
Indian Desertification Status: Nearly 69.6% of India consists of drylands, with 32.07% undergoing land degradation.
Published biennially by the Forest Survey of India, the 2017 report indicates a 24.39% total forest and tree cover in India, with a net gain of 8,021 sq km since 2015. Madhya Pradesh boasts the largest forest cover, while Mizoram has the highest forest percentage.
Note: India’s forest cover ranks 10th globally, with an annual net gain as per FAO.
Quick Fact: Spider silk is potentially stronger than steel of the same weight.
MCQ: Which forest type is found in regions characterized by a Mediterranean climate?
- Boreal Forest
- Temperate Evergreen Forest
- Tropical Rain Forest
- Tropical Thorn Forest
Answer: 2. Temperate Evergreen Forest