Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna?

[question] Question. Why has India a rich heritage of flora and fauna? [/question] [solution] Solution: India has all the major physical features of the Earth, i.e., mountains, plains, deserts, plateaus and islands. The different regions of the country have different soil types. Though India has an essentially monsoon-type of climate, there exists great variations in humidity and temperature across the country. Even the rains brought by the monsoon winds are unevenly distributed. Hence, each fac...

Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India.

[question] Question. Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India. Why? [/question] [solution] Solution: Due to the excessive exploitation of the plant and animal resources by human beings, the ecosystem has been disturbed. In consequence, about 1,300 plant species are endangered and 20 species are extinct. Quite a few animal species are also endangered and some have become extinct. Apart from hunting, other factors that have caused endangerment of plant and animal species a...

Name different types of vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes.

[question] Question. Name different types of vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes. [/question] [solution] Solution: The different types of vegetation found in India are: (i) Tropical Evergreen Forests (ii) Tropical Deciduous Forests (iii) Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs (iv) Montane Forests (v) Mangrove Forests A description of the vegetation of high altitudes: In mountainous regions, there is a succession of natural vegetation belts in the same order as we s...

Distinguish between

[question] Question. Distinguish between (i) Flora and fauna (ii) Tropical evergreen and deciduous forests [/question] [solution] Solution: (i) Flora: This term denotes the species of plants of a particular region or period Fauna: This term denotes the species of animals of a particular region or period. (ii) [/solution]...

Answer the following questions briefly.

[question] Question. 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. [/question] [solution] Solution: (i) Ecosystem is a system of interdependence comprising the physical environment and the organisms living therein. (ii) Temperature, humidity, precipitation, land an...

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

[question] Question. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below. (i) To which one of the following types of vegetation does rubber belong? (a) Tundra (c) Himalayan (b) Tidal (d) Tropical Evergreen (ii) Cinchona trees are found in the areas of rainfall more than (a) 100 cm (c) 70 cm (b) 50 cm (d) less than 50 cm (iii) In which of the following states is the Simlipal bio-reserve located? (a) Punjab (c) Delhi (b) Orissa (d) West Bengal (iv) Which one of the following bio-reserve...