2. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Define an ecosystem.
(ii) What factors are responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in
India?
(iii) What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples.
(iv) Name two animals having habitat in tropical and montane type of vegetation
3. Distinguish between
(i) Flora and Fauna
(ii) Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests
4. Name different types of Vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of
high altitudes.
5. Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India. Why?
6. Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna?
Answers
I) an ecosystem is the community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment
Answers :-
1) Answer the following questions briefly.
(I) Define an Ecosystem?
Ans. The simplest definition of an ecosystem is that it is a community or group of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment.
(II) What factors are responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India?
Ans. Factors responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India are:-
(a) Relief - Land and Soil
(b) Climate - Temperature, Humidity, Photoperiod etc.
(III) What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples.
Ans. Bio-reserves are protected areas. This is done to protect natural vegetation, wildlife, and the environment. Examples :- Sunderbans and Gulf of Mannar.
(IV) Name two animals having habitat in the tropical and montane type of vegetation.
Ans. ➤Tropical animals :- Tiger, Elephant.
➤ Montane animals :- Snow Leopard, Spotted dear.
2) Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India. Why?
Ans. Few species of plants and animals are endangered in India because :-
➤Increase in population.
➤Urbanization and Industrialization.
➤Large scale deforestation.
➤Pollution
➤Hunting for commercial purpose.
3) Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna?
Ans. India a rich heritage of flora and fauna because :-
➤ India is a Diverse country with different relief features.
➤ Different types of vegetation's are found in these region and the vegetation's support different type of animals.
➤ Availability of different types of soil providing base for different types of vegetation's.
➤ Variation in climatic conditions.
➤ India have a Monsoon type of climate which also support a large amount of flora and fauna.
4) Name different types of Vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes.
Ans. Alpine vegetation is found at places over 3600m in height. The trees common to these are Silver Fir, Junipers, Pines and Birches. The trees get stunted as they reach the snow line. There are shrubs and scrubs that ultimately merge into Alpine grasslands.
- Tropical evergreen forests
- Tropical deciduous forests
- Tropical Thorn forests and scrubs
- Montane forests
- Mangrove forests
5) Distinguish between :-
(i) Flora and Fauna
Flora -
- Represents all plant life.
- Almost all members can make their own food.
- Lacks mobility.
- Examples of flora include palm trees, grass, sunflowers, etc.
Fauna -
- Represents all animal life.
- Have to acquire food from plants or other animals.
- Members are mobile.
- Fauna includes lions, tigers, bears, cows etc.
(ii) Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests
Tropical Evergreen Forests -
- They are called rain forest.
- No definite time for trees to shed leaves.
- Rainfall is more than 200 cm.
Tropical Deciduous Forests -
- They are called Monsoon forest.
- Trees shed leaves for about six to eight weeks in the dry summer.
- Rainfall range is between 200 cm to 70 cm.