Question

Mention the different types of forest with two characteristics of each of them which is found in Nepal ​

Answer 1

Explanation:

Forest of Nepal

• According to the forest act 1993 of Nepal, forest is defined as all the area, which is fully or either partially occupied by trees.
• mAccording to the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICMOD), forest covers 57,538 km2 that contributes 39.09% to the total geographical area of Nepal.

Vegetation zone in Nepal

• On the basis of levels of altitude and with different types of climate, Stainton described thirty-five types of forest in Nepal.
• The forest of Nepal changes quickly owing to a great variation of topography, climate and soil conditions.
• The forest of Nepal has been described here on the basis of the levels of altitude, and different types of climate under the following vegetation zones:

1. Tropical zone(-1,000m)
2. Subtropical zone (1,000-2,000m)
3. Temperate zone (2,000-3,000m)
4. Subalpine zone (3,000-4,100m)
5. Alpine zone (4,100-5,500m)

TROPICAL ZONE

• This zone principally includes Terai, Bhabar, and Dun valleys.
• It extends from east to west up to 1,000m and major vegetation types are Sal forest, Tropical deciduous riverine forest and Tropical evergreen forest.

1.Sal forest:

• Sal (Shorea robusta), is an extremely gregarious species. It is dominant throughout the Indo-Gangetic plain and sub-Himalayan tracts.
• It sometimes grows upto 1,500m on the outer foothills which constitute the predominant Hill or Montane Sal forest. The trees are luxuriant growing up from 25 to 45m in height in Terai and Dun valleys but in the hills these grow upto 15m.
• Sal forest has greatly suffered from lopping and falling of trees by local inhabitants in eastern and central Nepal while it forms some magnificent stands of tall trees in the western Nepal.

2.Tropical deciduous riverine forest:

• It is found along the streams of Bhabar and Dun valleys.
• Khair (Acacia catechu) and Sisso (Dalbergia sissoo) are predominant at water’s edges with undergrowth of Pogostemon benghalensis, Justicia adhatoda,etc.
• On the riverside terraces Bombax ceiba becomes dominant with Toona ciliate, Sygium cumini, Ehretia laevis.
• Along the riversidein the open areas, Saccharum bengalense and S. spontaneoum and Arundo donax grow densely.

3. Tropical evergreen forest:

• This type of forest is confined to the humid north-facing slopes of tropical zone in the outer foothills of east Nepal.
• Michelia champaca is predominantly associated with laurels such as Litsea polyantha, L. doshia, Persea duthei. Other commonly associated species is Murraya paniculate, Calamus acanthospathus.