Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Natural Vegetation

• Natural vegetation = plants that grow naturally without human help.
• Depends on → climate, soil, and relief.
• Closely linked to wildlife (animals, birds, insects).

Factors Affecting Vegetation

• Temperature – hot areas have dense forests, cold areas have sparse vegetation.
• Rainfall – more than 200 cm → dense forests; less than 25 cm → desert shrubs.
• Soil – fertile soil → forests & crops; sandy soil → desert plants.

Types of Natural Vegetation

1. Forests
• Tropical evergreen forests → found in heavy rainfall areas near equator; dense, evergreen (e.g., Amazon, Western Ghats). Trees: rosewood, mahogany. Animals: monkeys, snakes, elephants.
• Tropical deciduous forests → shed leaves in dry season; found in India, parts of Africa. Trees: teak, sal, neem. Animals: tigers, lions, elephants.
• Temperate evergreen & deciduous forests → found in mid-latitudes.
• Coniferous forests → cold regions; cone-shaped trees (pine, spruce). Animals: fox, bear.
2. Grasslands
• Found in regions with moderate rainfall.
• Types: Savanna (Africa), Prairies (USA), Pampas (South America), Steppes (Eurasia).
• Animals: lions, elephants, bison, deer.
3. Shrubs/Thorny bushes
• Found in dry, desert areas with less rainfall.
• Plants: cactus, acacia.
• Animals: camels, snakes, lizards.

Wildlife

• Includes animals, birds, insects, fish.
• Wild animals depend on natural vegetation.
• Forests → elephants, lions, monkeys.
• Grasslands → lions, deer, bison.
• Deserts → camels, snakes.

Importance of Forests & Wildlife

• Provide oxygen, wood, medicine, food, raw materials.
• Maintain ecological balance.
• Wildlife adds to biodiversity and supports ecosystems.

Conservation

• Threats: deforestation, hunting, pollution, population growth.
• Protection: national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, laws against poaching.