Types of Natural Vegetation in India

Study Notes

Natural vegetation refers to the plant community that grows naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed . India, with its vast size and rich biodiversity, is home to various types of natural vegetation. Some of the major types of natural vegetation found in India are:

Tropical Evergreen Forests: These forests are characterised by heavy rainfall and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The average rainfall received by these forests is 200 cm with an abridged dry season. Majorly, these forests can be seen in the parts and coastlines of the Western Ghats areas like India .
Tropical Deciduous Forests: These forests are widely seen in India and are found in areas with heavy rainfall (200 - 70 cm) and are divided into moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests. Some of the popular plants of this forest are Teak, Sal, Peepal, and Neem, and common animals are tigers, lions, horses, and camels .
Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs: These forests are found in regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall. This type of vegetation is found in the north-western part of the country including the semi-arid Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Acacias, palms, euphorbias, and cacti are the main plant species, and the stems are succulent to conserve moisture .
Montane Forests: These forests are found in mountainous regions and are characterised by a change in natural vegetation due to a decrease in temperature. The fall in temperature affects the types of vegetation, and its growth changes from tropical to subtropical in the alpine vegetation .
Mangrove Forests: These forests are found in the coastlines and are characterised by their growth in the marine and fresh waters. Mangrove forests are found in the Sundarbans, Madhya Pradesh, and other parts of India .

The diversity of flora and fauna in India is due to various factors, including the vast size of the country, its different types of bio-forms, and the different types of natural vegetation found in different regions

Description

Test your knowledge about the major types of natural vegetation found in India, including tropical evergreen forests, tropical deciduous forests, tropical thorn forests and scrubs, montane forests, and mangrove forests. Explore the diversity of flora and fauna in India and the factors contributing to it.