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What are the two main types of deciduous forests based on water availability?
What are the two main types of deciduous forests based on water availability?
Moist and dry deciduous forests.
Which trees are dominant in moist deciduous forests and what is their height?
Which trees are dominant in moist deciduous forests and what is their height?
Teak is the most dominant species, and trees can reach heights up to 60 metres.
In which regions of India are moist deciduous forests predominantly found?
In which regions of India are moist deciduous forests predominantly found?
Northeastern states, foothills of the Himalayas, Jharkhand, West Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats.
What rainfall range is associated with dry deciduous forests?
What rainfall range is associated with dry deciduous forests?
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Name two commercially important trees found in dry deciduous forests.
Name two commercially important trees found in dry deciduous forests.
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Which common animals can be found in tropical deciduous forests?
Which common animals can be found in tropical deciduous forests?
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What types of vegetation and structure defines moist deciduous forests?
What types of vegetation and structure defines moist deciduous forests?
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What is Sarpagandha used to treat?
What is Sarpagandha used to treat?
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Which medicinal plant's juice is used to prepare a carminative vinegar?
Which medicinal plant's juice is used to prepare a carminative vinegar?
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What is the medicinal use of the Arjun plant?
What is the medicinal use of the Arjun plant?
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What properties does Neem possess?
What properties does Neem possess?
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What ailments is Tulsi commonly used to treat?
What ailments is Tulsi commonly used to treat?
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Which plant is used to cure asthma and ulcers?
Which plant is used to cure asthma and ulcers?
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How many medicinal plants are critically threatened according to the Red List?
How many medicinal plants are critically threatened according to the Red List?
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Name an animal that is found in the hot wet forests of India.
Name an animal that is found in the hot wet forests of India.
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Which state in India is home to the one-horned rhinoceros?
Which state in India is home to the one-horned rhinoceros?
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Identify a habitat where wild asses are found in India.
Identify a habitat where wild asses are found in India.
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What types of animals can be found in India?
What types of animals can be found in India?
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What is significant about the wildlife population in India?
What is significant about the wildlife population in India?
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What conservation legislation was implemented in India in 1972?
What conservation legislation was implemented in India in 1972?
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Which forest is the natural habitat of the Indian lion?
Which forest is the natural habitat of the Indian lion?
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Name at least two species of animals found in the Himalayan region.
Name at least two species of animals found in the Himalayan region.
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What unique reptile is mentioned as being only found in the rivers of India?
What unique reptile is mentioned as being only found in the rivers of India?
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Which animals represent the prey category in the mentioned content?
Which animals represent the prey category in the mentioned content?
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How many species of fish are found in India?
How many species of fish are found in India?
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List two types of birds that inhabit India.
List two types of birds that inhabit India.
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What is the percentage of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that India shares with the world?
What is the percentage of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that India shares with the world?
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What is the main concern highlighted in the text regarding wildlife?
What is the main concern highlighted in the text regarding wildlife?
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Which animals are mentioned as surviving in Ladakh's extreme cold?
Which animals are mentioned as surviving in Ladakh's extreme cold?
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What role do insects play in the ecosystem according to the text?
What role do insects play in the ecosystem according to the text?
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How many plant species are reported to be endangered?
How many plant species are reported to be endangered?
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What steps can individuals take to contribute to the protection of endangered species?
What steps can individuals take to contribute to the protection of endangered species?
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What types of animals are commonly found in montane forests?
What types of animals are commonly found in montane forests?
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Which forests contain evergreen broad-leaf trees such as oaks and chestnuts?
Which forests contain evergreen broad-leaf trees such as oaks and chestnuts?
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What defines mangrove forests and where are they typically found?
What defines mangrove forests and where are they typically found?
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What is one famous animal found in mangrove forests?
What is one famous animal found in mangrove forests?
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At what altitude are temperate forests commonly found?
At what altitude are temperate forests commonly found?
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What are the ecological impacts if plants and animals were to disappear from the Earth?
What are the ecological impacts if plants and animals were to disappear from the Earth?
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Why is biodiversity important for the environment?
Why is biodiversity important for the environment?
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What unique vegetation is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta?
What unique vegetation is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta?
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What types of vegetation grow in the coastal regions mentioned?
What types of vegetation grow in the coastal regions mentioned?
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Study Notes
Natural Vegetation and Wildlife in India
- India is one of the 12 mega-biodiversity countries globally, ranking tenth worldwide and fourth in Asia for plant diversity.
- Around 47,000 plant species reside in India, comprising 6% of the world's flowering plants.
- Approximately 90,000 animal species inhabit the country, including a variety of fish in both freshwater and marine environments.
- Natural vegetation refers to a plant community naturally grown, undisturbed by human activity for an extended period, often called "virgin vegetation".
- Cultivated crops and orchards are not considered natural vegetation.
- Endemic or indigenous species are those plants and animals native to India. Exotic species originate elsewhere.
- The terms flora and fauna refer to plants and animals, respectively, in a particular geographic region or period.
Types of Vegetation
- Key vegetation types in India include Tropical Evergreen Forests, Tropical Deciduous Forests, Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs, Montane Forests, and Mangrove Forests.
- Tropical Evergreen Forests are found in regions with high rainfall exceeding 200cm, prominently in the Western Ghats and island groups.
- These forests exhibit a multi-layered structure.
- Commercially significant trees like ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, and cinchona are common. Elephant, monkeys, lemurs, and deer are common animals in these forests.
- Tropical Deciduous Forests are widely distributed throughout India, receiving 200cm to 70cm of rainfall.
- Further sub-divided into moist and dry deciduous based on rainfall levels.
- Teak, sal, shisham, and other commercially important species are found in these forests.
- Common animals include lions, tigers, pigs, deer, and elephants.
- Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs thrive in arid regions with less than 70 cm annual rainfall.
- Dominated by thorny trees and shrubs.
- Montane Forests occur in mountainous regions, influenced by altitude-based temperature reductions and shifts in vegetation types.
- These forests transition from tropical to tundra types with increasing altitude.
- Coniferous trees like pine, fir, and deodar dominate mid-altitudes, while mosses and lichens are typical of higher altitudes.
- Mangrove Forests are situated in coastal areas impacted by tides.
- Characterized by trees with submerged roots.
- These forests are found in the deltas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri rivers, for example.
Medicinal Plants
- India is recognised for its traditional medicinal plants and practices.
- Several plants like Sarpagandha, Jamun, Arjun, Babool, and Neem are important.
- These plants feature in traditional medicine systems for treating various ailments.
Wildlife
- India is rich in biodiversity with approximately 90,000 animal species.
- The country is home to various endangered species.
- Several factors threaten the flora and fauna of India, including excessive human exploitation of natural resources.
- The government implements conservation measures such as establishing biosphere reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries, to protect the environment.
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Description
Explore the rich biodiversity of India, one of the world's mega-biodiversity hotspots. This quiz covers the various types of natural vegetation and animal species found across the country, emphasizing the importance of indigenous and endemic species. Test your knowledge on the floral and faunal diversity of India!