Question

Comparative report on the natural aesthetic beauty of Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu

Answer 1

Answer:

(ii) Physiography,

(iii) Edephic conditions,

(iv) Biotic setting, and

(v) Human interaction with na­ture.

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Climate ultimately affects all forms of life. Climate acts in conjunction with other factors to limits of plant growth. Its role is direct in its effects on plants and indirect through its influence on edaphic and biotic factors. The direct effects of climate on plants are exerted by elements of the water and heat budget, precipitation, humidity, temperature, sunlight and wind. Variation in one can change the others in producing different rates of evapotranspiration and photosynthesis. The precipitation is also an impor­tant determinant of vegetation growth.

The deficient moisture limits plant growth, so excess amount restricts certain plants by limiting aeration and oxygen supply in the soil. Excessive soil moisture tends to develop unfavour­able soil characteristics and to increase disease damage. Out of all the climatic factors, the influence of temperature on vegeta­tion is most important.

Plants can grow only within certain temperature limits, although the limits are not the same for all plants. For example, cer­tain algae live in hot weather season at more than 90°C and desert lichens withstand 100°C, while arctic mosses and lichens survive -70°C2. For each species and each variety, there is a minimum temperature below which growth is not possible, an optimum at which growth is best, and a maxi­mum beyond which growth stops. Most plants, however, cease growth when the soil temperature drops below about 5°C.