The NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Geography Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife, serve as an essential learning resource for students. These solutions provide valuable guidance to help students enhance their understanding and effectively answer questions in the CBSE exam. By studying these solutions, students can prepare themselves more efficiently for the examination. Our team of subject experts has meticulously crafted these solutions for Class 9 students, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the concepts and topics covered in the chapter. The provided solutions, complete with accurate answers, enable students to achieve good marks in their exams.
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
(c) Himalayan
(b) Tidal
(d) Tropical Evergreen
Ans. Tropical Evergreen
(ii) Cinchona trees are found in the areas of rainfall more than
(a) 100 cm
(c) 70 cm
(b) 50 cm
(d) less than 50 cm
Ans. 100 cm
(iii) In which of the following state is the Simlipal bio-reserve located?
(a) Punjab
(b) Delhi
(c) Odisha
(d) West Bengal
Ans. Odisha
(iv) Which one of the following bio-reserves of India is not included in the world network of bioreserve?
(a) Manas
(c) Gulf of Mannar
(b) Nilgiri
(d) Panna
Ans. Manas
2. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples.
Ans. A biosphere reserve is a protected area that aims to conserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable development. It is designed to protect ecosystems, species, and genetic resources while also supporting research, monitoring, and education.
Examples –
1. Sunderbans
2. Gulf of Mannar
3. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
(ii) Name two animals having habitat in tropical and montane type of vegetation.
Ans.
Tropical- Tiger, Elephant
Montane- Snow leopard, Yak
3. Distinguish between
(i) Flora and Fauna
Ans. Flora refers to all plant life in a given area, while fauna refers to all animal life found in a given location. Flora is typically immobile, meaning that it cannot move from one place to another. Fauna, on the other hand, is typically mobile and can move around to find food and mates.
Examples of flora:
Trees
Flowers
Grasses
Shrubs
Mosses
Examples of fauna:
Birds
Mammals
Fish
Reptiles
Amphibians
The terms flora and fauna are often used together to describe the overall biodiversity of a particular area. For example, we might say that the Amazon rainforest has a rich flora and fauna.
(ii) Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests
Ans. Tropical Evergreen Forests:
- Found in regions with high rainfall and constant warm temperatures.
- Characterized by dense and lush vegetation throughout the year.
- Trees in tropical evergreen forests are tall, with broad leaves that provide a continuous canopy.
- The forest floor is shaded and has limited undergrowth due to lack of sunlight.
- Biodiversity is high, with a wide variety of plant and animal species.
- Trees in these forests do not shed their leaves simultaneously but continuously throughout the year
Example- The Amazon Rainforest in South America and the Congo Rainforest in Africa.
Tropical Deciduous Forests:
- Found in regions with distinct wet and dry seasons.
- Characterized by trees that shed their leaves during the dry season.
- The forest floor has a more open and sunlit environment, allowing for the growth of a dense undergrowth of shrubs, grasses, and smaller plants.
- Biodiversity is relatively high but lower compared to tropical evergreen forests.
- Trees in these forests have adaptations to survive the dry season, such as thick bark or dropping leaves to conserve water.
Example- The forests of India’s Western Ghats and parts of Southeast Asia.
Tropical evergreen forests have dense, year-round vegetation, while tropical deciduous forests experience seasonal leaf shedding and have a more open forest floor. The two forest types differ in terms of their climate, vegetation structure, and species composition.
4. Name different types of Vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes.
Ans. The different types of vegetation found in India are listed below:
- Tropical evergreen forests
- Tropical deciduous forests
- Tropical thorn forests and scrubs
- Montane forests
- Mangrove forests
At high altitudes, the vegetation undergoes distinct changes due to factors such as decreasing temperatures, increasing altitude, and harsher climatic conditions. Here’s a brief description of the vegetation found in high-altitude regions:
Alpine vegetation: This type of vegetation is found at altitudes above 3,600 meters. It is characterized by low-growing shrubs, grasses, and herbs. Some common plants found in alpine vegetation in the Indian subcontinent include rhododendrons, junipers, and birches.
Temperate forests: This type of vegetation is found at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,600 meters. It is characterized by tall trees, such as pines, deodars, and spruces. These trees have needle-like leaves that help them conserve water in the cold, dry climate.
Subtropical forests: This type of vegetation is found at altitudes between 900 and 1,500 meters. It is characterized by a mix of broad-leaved and coniferous trees, such as oaks, chestnuts, and pines. These trees have broader leaves than those found in temperate forests, which helps them photosynthesize more efficiently in the warmer climate.
The vegetation of high altitudes in the Indian subcontinent is home to a variety of animals, including snow leopards, ibex, and tahr. These animals are adapted to the cold, dry climate and have thick fur or wool to keep them warm.
5. Quote a few species of plants and animals that are endangered in India. Why?
Ans. Here are a few species of plants and animals that are endangered in India:
Plants:
Ebony tree: This tree is found in the Western Ghats and is threatened by deforestation and over-harvesting.
Umbrella tree: This tree is found in northeast India and is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Indian mallow: This plant is found in central and western India and is threatened by over-harvesting for its medicinal properties.
Animals:
Bengal tiger: This iconic cat is found in the Sundarbans and other forests in India and is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans.
Snow leopard: This cat is found in the Himalayas and is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans.
Great Indian bustard: This bird is found in the Thar Desert and is threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and conflict with humans.
The main threats to these species include habitat loss, poaching, and over-exploitation. Habitat loss is the most serious threat, as it destroys the natural homes of these species and makes it difficult for them to survive. Poaching is another major threat, as it removes individuals from the population and can drive species to extinction. Over-exploitation occurs when a species is harvested for its resources, such as food, medicine, or timber, at a rate that exceeds its ability to reproduce.
6. Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna?
Ans. India has a rich heritage of flora and fauna due to a number of factors, including:
Its varied geography: India is home to a wide variety of landscapes, from the snow-capped Himalayas to the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats. This diversity of habitats supports a wide variety of plant and animal life.
Its long history: India has been inhabited for millions of years, and during this time, plants and animals have had time to evolve and diversify.
Its location: India is located at the crossroads of several major biological regions, including the Palearctic, Oriental, and Indomalayan regions. This has allowed for the mixing and mingling of species from different regions, further increasing the diversity of Indian flora and fauna.
Its climate: India has a wide range of climates, from the hot, dry deserts of Rajasthan to the cool, wet mountains of the North East. This diversity of climates supports a wide variety of plant and animal life.
India is home to an estimated 10% of the world’s known plant species and 7% of the world’s known animal species. This makes India one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.
Map Skills-
On an outline map of India, label the following.
(i) Areas of Evergreen Forests
(ii) Areas of Dry Deciduous Forests
(iii) Two national parks each in Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western parts of the Country
