Evergreen Forests Characteristics and Distribution

Study Notes

Characteristics of Evergreen Forests

Evergreen forests are found in regions with rainfall above 200 cm and temperature between 15-30°C.
They are densely populated and have a multilayered structure.
These forests are home to a vast variety of animals and plants.

Distribution of Evergreen Forests in India

Evergreen forests are commonly found in regions with high rainfall, particularly in Western Ghats and Eastern India.
They are typically found in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
They are also found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Features of Evergreen Forests

They cover around 70% of the surface area.
They are found in regions with a tropical climate.
They support a diverse range of flora and fauna.
They are found in areas with high rainfall and moderate temperature.

Characteristics of Evergreen Forests

Found in regions with rainfall above 200 cm and temperature between 15-30°C.
Densely populated with a multilayered structure.
Home to a vast variety of animals and plants.

Distribution of Evergreen Forests in India

Found in regions with high rainfall, particularly in Western Ghats and Eastern India.
Commonly found in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
Also found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Features of Evergreen Forests

Cover around 70% of the surface area.
Found in regions with a tropical climate.
Support a diverse range of flora and fauna.
Found in areas with high rainfall and moderate temperature.

Plant Growth and Development

Growth Patterns

Monocots grow from the tip of the stem, producing new tissues from the apical meristem.
Dicots grow from the sides of the stem, producing new tissues from the cambium layer.

Types of Growth

Primary growth occurs through cell division and expansion in the apical meristem, leading to an increase in length.
Secondary growth occurs through cell division and expansion in the cambium layer, leading to an increase in thickness.

Factors Affecting Growth

Light affects photosynthesis, growth, and development, with different wavelengths promoting varying responses.
Temperature influences metabolic rate, growth, and development, with optimal temperatures varying by plant species.
Water availability affects turgor pressure, growth, and development, with plants responding to drought and flooding.
Nutrient availability affects growth and development, with essential micronutrients and macronutrients required for plant function.
Hormones, including auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, and ethylene, regulate growth and development.

Plant Developmental Stages

Seed germination involves the radicle and cotyledon emerging from the seed coat, followed by root and shoot growth.
Seedling establishment involves the development of root and shoot systems, with the seedling becoming self-sufficient.
Vegetative growth is characterized by leaf development and expansion, with plants producing new leaves and stems.
Reproductive growth is characterized by flower and fruit development, with plants allocating resources to reproduction.
Senescence is the final stage, marked by aging, decline, and eventual death.

Hormonal Regulation

Auxins promote cell elongation, root growth, and apical dominance, regulating cell growth and differentiation.
Gibberellins promote cell elongation, seed germination, and stem growth, influencing plant height and seedling establishment.
Cytokinins promote cell division, root growth, and leaf senescence, regulating root-shoot balance and leaf longevity.
Ethylene promotes fruit ripening, senescence, and abscission, regulating fruit maturation and leaf drop.

Description

Learn about the characteristics of evergreen forests, including their climatic conditions, structure, and biodiversity, as well as their distribution in India, particularly in Western Ghats and Eastern India.