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Forests – Natural Vegetation of India

 

Table of Contents

• Classification-of-natural-vegetation-of-india/#forests-natural-vegetation-of-india”>1 Forests – Natural Vegetation of India
• 2 Classification of Natural Vegetation of India
• 3 Moist Tropical Forests
  • 3.1 Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests or Rain Forests
  • 3.2 Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests
  • 3.3 Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests
  • 3.4 Littoral and Swamp Forests
• 4 Dry Tropical Forests
  • 4.1 Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests
    • 4.1.1 Casuarina plantation
  • 4.2 Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests
  • 4.3 Tropical Thorn Forests
• 5 Montane Sub-Tropical Forests
  • 5.1 Sub-tropical Broad-leaved Hill Forests
  • 5.2 Sub-tropical Moist Pine Forests
  • 5.3 Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen Forests
• 6 Montane Temperate Forests
  • 6.1 Montane Wet Temperate Forests
  • 6.2 Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests
  • 6.3 Himalayan Dry Temperate Forests
• 7 Alpine Forests

Forests – Natural Vegetation of India:Types and distribution

• Climate, Soil and topography are the major factors that influence Natural Vegetation of a place.
• The main climatic factors are rainfall and temperature. The amount of annual rainfall has a great bearing on the type of vegetation.

Annual Rainfall	Type of Vegetation
200 cm or more	Evergreen Rain Forests
100 to 200 cm	Monsoon Deciduous Forests
50 to 100 cm	Drier Deciduous or Tropical Savanna
25 to 50 cm	Dry Thorny Scrub (Semi-arid)
Below 25 cm	Desert (Arid)

• Temperature is the major factor in Himalayas and other hilly regions with an elevation of more than 900 metres.
• As the temperature falls with altitude in the Himalayan region the vegetal cover changes with altitude from tropical to sub-tropical, temperate and finally alpine.
• Soil is an equally determining factor in few regions. Mangrove forests, swamp forests are some of the examples where soil is the major factor.
• Topography is responsible for certain minor types e.g. alpine Flora, tidal forests, etc..

 

 

Classification of Natural Vegetation of India

• Classification of Natural Vegetation of India is primarily based on spatial and annual variations in rainfall. Temperature, soil and topography are also considered.
• India’s vegetation can be divided into 5 main types and 16 sub-types as given below.

A. Moist Tropical Forests

• Tropical Wet Evergreen
• Tropical Semi-Evergreen
• Tropical Moist Deciduous
• Littoral and Swamp

B. Dry Tropical Forests

• Tropical Dry Evergreen
• Tropical Dry Deciduous
• Tropical Thorn

C. Montane Sub-tropical Forests

• Sub-tropical broad leaved hill
• Sub-tropical moist hill (pine)
• Sub-tropical dry evergreen

D. Montane Temperate Forests

• Montane Wet Temperate
• Himalayan Moist Temperate
• Himalayan Dry Temperate

E. Alpine Forests

• Sub-Alpine
• Moist Alpine scrub
• Dry Alpine scrub

Forest Type in India	% of Total Area
Tropical Moist Deciduous	37
Tropical Dry Deciduous	28
Tropical Wet Evergreen	8
Sub-Tropical Moist Hill	6
Tropical Semi-Evergreen	4
Rest below 4 %

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Moist Tropical Forests

Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests or Rain Forests

Climatic Conditions

• Annual rainfall exceeds 250 cm
• The annual temperature is about 25°-27°C
• The Average annual humidity exceeds 77 per cent and
• The dry season is distinctly short.

Characteristics

• Evergreen: Due to high heat and high humidity, the trees of these forests do not shed their leaves together.
• Mesosphytic: Plants adopted to neither too dry nor too wet type climate.

What are mesophytes? Unlike hydrophytic plants, such as water lily or pondweed, that grow in saturated soil or water, or xerophytic plants, such as cactus, that grow in extremely dry soil, mesophytes are ordinary plants that exist between the two extremes. Mesophytic environments are marked by average to hot temperatures and soil that is neither too dry nor too wet.

• Lofty: The trees often reach 45 – 60 metres in height.
• Thick Canopy: From the air, the tropical rain forest appears like a thick canopy of foliage, broken only where it is crossed by large rivers or cleared for cultivation.
• All plants struggle upwards (most ephiphytes) for sunlight resulting in a peculiar layer arrangement. The entire morphology looks like a green carpet when viewed from above.

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• Less undergrowth: The sun Light cannot reach the ground due to thick canopy. The undergrowth is formed mainly of bamboos, ferns, climbers, orchids, etc.

Distribution

• Western side of the Western Ghats (500 to 1370 metres above sea level).
• Some regions in the Purvanchal hills.
• In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Timber

• Hardwood: The timber of these forests is fine-grained, hard and durable.
• It has high commercial value but it is highly challenging to exploit due to dense undergrowth, absence of pure stands and lack of transport facilities [Read previous posts on Climatic regions to understand how lumbering Industry works in Equatorial Rainforests (hardwood) and Taiga Climatic (softwood) conditions].
• The important species of these forests are mahogany, mesua, white cedar, jamun, canes, bamboo etc.

Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

• They are transitional forests between tropical wet evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forests.
• They are comparatively drier areas compared to tropical wet evergreen forests.

Climatic Conditions

• Annual rainfall is 200-250 cm
• Mean annual temperature varies from 24°C to 27°C
• The relative humidity is about 75 per cent
• The dry season is not short like in tropical evergreen forests.

Distribution

• Western coast
• Assam
• Lower slopes of the Eastern Himalayas
• Odisha and
• Andamans.

Characteristics

• The semi-evergreen forests are less dense.
• They are more gregarious [living in flocks or colonies – more pure stands] than the wet evergreen forests.
• These forests are characterized by many species.
• Trees usually have buttressed trunks with abundant epiphytes.

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Buttressed Trunks

• The important species are laurel, rosewood, mesua, thorny bamboo – Western Ghats, white cedar, Indian chestnut, champa, mango, etc. – Himalayan region.

Timber

• Hardwood: Similar to that in tropical evergreen forests except that these forests are less dense with more pure stands (timber industry here is better than in evergreen forests).

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

Climatic Conditions

• Annual rainfall 100 to 200 cm.
• Mean annual temperature of about 27°C
• The average annual relative humidity of 60 to 75 per cent.
• Spring (between winter and summer) and summer are dry.

Characteristics

• The trees drop their leaves during the spring and early summer when sufficient moisture is not available.
• The general appearance is bare in extreme summers (April-May).
• Tropical moist deciduous forests present irregular top storey [25 to 60 m].
• Heavily buttressed trees and fairly complete undergrowth.
• These forests occupy a much larger area than the evergreen forests but large tracts under these forests have been cleared for cultivation.

Distribution

• Belt running along the Western Ghats surrounding the belt of evergreen forests.
• A strip along the Shiwalik range including terai and bhabar from 77° E to 88° E.
• Manipur and Mizoram.
• Hills of eastern Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
• Chota Nagpur Plateau.
• Most of Odisha.
• Parts of West Bengal and
• Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Timber

• These provide valuable timer like Teak.
• The main species found in these forests are teak, sal, laurel, rosewood, amla, jamun, bamboo, etc.
• It is comparatively easy to exploit these forests due to their high degree of gregariousness (more pure stands).

Littoral and Swamp Forests

• They can survive and grow both in fresh as well as brackish water(The mixture of seawater and fresh water in estuaries is called brackish water and its salinity can range from 0.5 to 35 ppt).
• Occur in and around the deltas, estuaries and creeks prone to tidal influences (delta or tidal forests).
• Littoral (relating to or on the shore of the sea or a lake) forests occur at several places along the coast.
• Swamp forests are confined to the deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Cauvery.
• Dense MANGROVES occur all along the coastline in sheltered estuaries, tidal creeks, backwaters, salt marshes and mudflats. It provides useful fuel wood.
• The most pronounced and the densest is the Sunderban in the Ganga delta where the predominant species is Sundri (Heriteera).

Timber

• It provides hard and durable timber which is used for construction, building purposes and making boats.
• The important species found in these forests are Sundri, agar, rhizophora, screw pines, canes and palms, etc.

Dry Tropical Forests

Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests

Distribution

• Along the coasts of Tamil Nadu.

Climatic Conditions

• Annual rainfall of 100 cm [mostly from the north-east Monsoon Winds in October – December].
• Mean annual temperature is about 28°C.
• The mean humidity is about 75 per cent.
• The Growth of evergreen forests in areas of such low rainfall is a bit strange.

Characteristics

• Short statured trees, up to 12 m high, with complete canopy.
• Bamboos and Grasses not conspicuous.
• The important species are jamun, tamarind, neem, etc.
• Most of the land under these forests has been cleared for agriculture or casuarina plantations.

Casuarina plantation It resembles feathery conifer in general appearance. They are rapid-growing, carefree species for sites and climates as varied as coastal sand dunes, high mountain slopes, hot humid tropics, and semi-arid regions. They have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. It grows 15 to 25 metres in height on an average.         Casuarina plantation Distribution Casuarina is the most popular farm Forestry in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Benefits Reduces damage in the event of natural calamities. Line planting in the coastal areas helps in controlling the wind force. It is also used for tourism promotion in view of its ornamental appearance. It provides top quality firewood. The wood is suitable for paper pulp and useful raw material for the manufacture of paper for writing, printing, and wrapping. It is got some serious medicinal values as well. Wasteland development The characteristics which make it a suitable species for wasteland development include adaptability to wide range of habitats, fast growth, salt tolerant, drought resistant, ability to reclaim land and stabilize sand dunes. Intercrops such as groundnut, cucumber, watermelons, sesamum, and pulses can also be raised along with the plantation.

Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

Climatic Conditions

• Annual rainfall is 100-150 cm.

Characteristics

• These are similar to moist deciduous forests and shed their leaves in dry season.
• The major difference is that they can grow in areas of comparatively less rainfall.
• They represent a transitional type – moist deciduous on the wetter side and thorn forests on the drier side.
• They have closed but uneven canopy.
• The forests are composed of a mixture of a few species of Deciduous trees rising up to a height of 20 metres.
• Undergrowth: Enough light reaches the ground to permit the growth of grass and climbers.

Distribution

• They occur in an irregular wide strip running from the foot of the Himalayas to Kanniyakumari except in Rajasthan, Western Ghats and West Bengal.
• The important species are teak, axlewood, rosewood, common bamboo, red sanders, laurel, satinwood, etc.
• Large tracts of this forest have been cleared for agricultural purposes.
• These forests have suffer from over grazing, fire, etc.

Tropical Thorn Forests

Climatic Conditions

• Annual rainfall less than 75 cm.
• Humidity is less than 50 per cent.
• Mean temperature is 25°-30°C.

Characteristics

• The trees are low (6 to 10 metres maximum) and widely scattered.
• Acacias and Euphorbias are very prominent.
• The Indian wild date is common. Some grasses also grow in the rainy season.

Distribution

• Rajasthan, south-western Punjab, western Haryana, Kachchh and neighbouring parts of Saurashtra.
• Here they degenerate into desert type in the Thar desert.
• Such forests also grow on the leeside of the Western Ghats covering large areas of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• The important species are neem, babul, cactii, etc.

Montane Sub-Tropical Forests

Sub-tropical Broad-leaved Hill Forests

Climatic conditions

• Mean annual rainfall is 75 cm to 125 cm.
• Average annual temperature is 18°-21°C.
• Humidity is 80 per cent.

Distribution

• Eastern Himalayas to the east of 88°E longitude at altitudes varying from 1000 to 2000 m.

Characteristics

• Forests of evergreen species.
• Commonly found species are evergreen oaks, chestnuts, ash, beech, sals and pines.
• Climbers and epiphytes [a plant that grows non-parasitically on a tree or other plant] are common.
• These forests are not so distinct in the southern parts of the country. They occur only in the Nilgiri and Palni hills at 1070-1525 metres above sea level.
• It is a “stunted rain-forest” and is not so luxuriant as the true tropical evergreen.
• The higher parts of the Western Ghats such as Mahabaleshwar, the summits of the Satpura and the Maikal Range, highlands of Bastar and Mt. Abu in the Aravali Range carry sub-types of these forests.

Sub-tropical Moist Pine Forests

Distribution

• Western Himalayas between 73°E and 88°E longitudes at elevations between 1000 to 2000 metres above sea level.
• Some hilly regions of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Naga Hills and Khasi Hills.

Timber

• Chir or Chil is the most dominant tree which forms pure stands.
• It provides valuable timber for furniture, boxes and buildings.
• It is also used for producing resin and turpentine.

Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen Forests

Distribution

• Found in the Bhabar, the Shiwaliks and the western Himalayas up to about 1000 metres above sea level.

Climatic Conditions

• Annual rainfall is 50-100 cm (15 to 25 cm in December-March).
• The summers are sufficiently hot and winters are very cold.

Characteristics

• Low scrub forest with small evergreen stunted trees and shrubs.
• Olive, acacia modesta and pistacia are the most predominant species.

Montane Temperate Forests

Montane Wet Temperate Forests

Climatic Conditions

• Grows at a height of 1800 to 3000 m above sea level
• Mean annual rainfall is 150 cm to 300 cm
• Mean annual temperature is about 11°C to 14°C and the
• Average relative humidity is over 80 per cent.

Distribution

• Higher hills of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, in the Eastern Himalayan region.

Characteristics

• These are closed evergreen forests. Trunks have large girth.
• Branches are clothed with mosses, ferns and other epiphytes.
• The trees rarely achieve a height of more than 6 metres.
• Deodar, Chilauni, Indian chestnut, birch, plum, machilus, cinnamomum, litsea, magnolia, blue pine, oak, hemlock, etc. are important species.

Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests

Climatic Conditions

• Annual rainfall varies from 150 cm to 250 cm

Distribution

• Occurs in the temperate zone of the Himalayas between 1500 and 3300 metres.
• Cover the entire length of this mountain range in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Darjeeling and Sikkim.

Characteristics

• Mainly composed of coniferous species.
• Species occur in mostly pure strands.
• Trees are 30 to 50 m high.
• Pines, cedars, silver firs, spruce, etc. are most important trees.
• They form high but fairly open forest with shrubby undergrowth including oaks, rhododendrons and some bamboos.

Timber

• It provides fine wood which is of much use for construction, timber and railway sleepers.

Himalayan Dry Temperate Forests

Climatic Conditions

• Precipitation is below 100 cm and is mostly in the form of snow.
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Characteristics

• Coniferous forests with xerophytic shrubs in which deodar, oak, ash, olive, etc are the main trees.

Distribution

• Such forests are found in the inner dry ranges of the Himalayas where south-west monsoon is very feeble.
• Such areas are in Ladakh, Lahul, Chamba, Kinnaur, Garhwal and Sikkim.

Alpine Forests

• Altitudes ranging between 2,900 to 3,500.
• These forests can be divided into: (1) sub-alpine; (2) moist alpine scrub and (3) dry alpine scrub.
• The sub-alpine forests occur lower alpine scrub and grasslands.
• It is a mixture of coniferous and broad-leaved trees in which the coniferous trees attain a height of about 30 m while the broad leaved trees reach only 10 m.
• Fir, spruce, rhododendron, etc. are important species.
• The moist alpine scrub is a low evergreen dense growth of rhododendron, birch etc. which occurs from 3,000 metres and extends upto snowline.
• The dry alpine scrub is the uppermost limit of scrub xerophytic, dwarf shrubs, over 3,500 metres above sea level and found in dry zone. Juniper, honeysuckle, artemesia etc. are important species.

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Forests of India

India is home to a wide variety of forests, each with its own unique characteristics. The country’s forests play an important role in the Environment, providing habitat for wildlife, regulating the climate, and protecting water Resources. They also support a large number of people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

India’s forests are classified into five major types: tropical evergreen forests, tropical deciduous forests, subtropical broad-leaved forests, temperate forests, and montane forests.

• Tropical evergreen forests are found in the wettest parts of the country, such as the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas. These forests are characterized by their dense canopy of Evergreen trees, which provide a home for a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and monkeys.
• Tropical deciduous forests are found in areas with a more seasonal climate. These forests lose their leaves during the dry season, but they are still home to a variety of plants and animals.
• Subtropical broad-leaved forests are found in the foothills of the Himalayas and in other areas with a temperate climate. These forests are characterized by their broad-leaved trees, which provide a home for a variety of birds and animals.
• Temperate forests are found in the higher elevations of the Himalayas. These forests are characterized by their coniferous trees, which provide a home for a variety of birds and animals, including snow leopards.
• Montane forests are found in the highest elevations of the Himalayas. These forests are characterized by their stunted trees and shrubs, which provide a home for a variety of birds and animals, including the Himalayan tahr.

India’s forests cover an area of approximately 22% of the country’s landmass. The state with the largest forest cover is Madhya Pradesh, followed by Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The state with the smallest forest cover is Goa.

Forest management in India is carried out by the Forest Department of the Government of India. The Forest Department is responsible for the protection, conservation, and development of forests in the country. The Forest Department also manages the use of forest resources, such as timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products.

Forest products are a major Source Of Income for many people in India. Timber is the most important forest product, followed by fuelwood and non-timber forest products, such as bamboo, honey, and medicinal plants.

Forest peoples are a diverse group of people who live in or near forests. They include tribal peoples, nomadic peoples, and forest dwellers. Forest peoples have a close relationship with forests and depend on them for their livelihoods.

Forest fires are a major threat to forests in India. Forest fires are caused by a variety of factors, including lightning strikes, human activities, and Climate Change. Forest fires can have a devastating impact on forests, destroying trees, wildlife, and other forest resources.

Forest diseases are a major threat to forests in India. Forest diseases are caused by a variety of pathogens, including Fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Forest diseases can have a devastating impact on forests, killing trees and other forest plants.

Forest pests are a major threat to forests in India. Forest pests are insects, rodents, and other animals that damage trees and other forest plants. Forest pests can have a devastating impact on forests, killing trees and other forest plants.

Forest research is carried out by a variety of organizations, including the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and the Wildlife Institute of India. Forest research is important for understanding the ECOLOGY of forests, developing sustainable forest management practices, and protecting forests from threats.

Forest education is carried out by a variety of organizations, including the Forest Department of the Government of India, the Indian Institute of Forest Management, and the Wildlife Institute of India. Forest education is important for raising awareness about the importance of forests and for promoting sustainable forest management practices.

Forest policy is developed by the Government of India. Forest policy is important for ensuring the sustainable management of forests in the country.

Forest governance is carried out by the Forest Department of the Government of India. Forest governance is important for ensuring that forests are managed in a transparent and accountable manner.

Forest economics is the study of the economic value of forests. Forest economics is important for understanding the economic benefits of forests and for developing sustainable forest management practices.

Forest law enforcement is carried out by the Forest Department of the Government of India. Forest law enforcement is important for preventing illegal activities in forests, such as deforestation, poaching, and forest fires.

Forest diplomacy is the use of diplomacy to promote the sustainable management of forests. Forest diplomacy is important for building international cooperation on forest issues.

The future of forests in India is uncertain. Forests are facing a number of threats, including deforestation, climate change, and forest fires. It is important to take steps to protect forests and ensure their sustainable management.

What is a forest?

A forest is a large area of land covered with trees and other plants. Forests are important for many reasons, including providing habitat for wildlife, regulating the climate, and providing us with wood and other resources.

What are the different types of forests?

There are many different types of forests, depending on the climate and the types of plants that grow there. Some common types of forests include tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and boreal forests.

What are the benefits of forests?

Forests provide many benefits, including:

• Habitat for wildlife: Forests provide a home for many different types of animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
• Climate regulation: Forests help to regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the Atmosphere.
• Water filtration: Forests help to filter water and prevent flooding.
• Soil erosion prevention: Forests help to prevent soil erosion by holding the soil in place with their roots.
• Wood and other resources: Forests provide us with wood, paper, and other resources.

What are the threats to forests?

Forests are threatened by many things, including:

• Deforestation: Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development.
• Climate change: Climate change is causing forests to change in many ways, including changes in the types of plants that grow there and the animals that live there.
• Fire: Forest fires can destroy large areas of forest.
• Pollution: Pollution can damage forests and the animals that live there.

What can we do to protect forests?

There are many things we can do to protect forests, including:

• Reduce deforestation: We can reduce deforestation by choosing products that are made from sustainably harvested wood.
• Support forest conservation: We can support organizations that are working to conserve forests.
• Plant trees: We can plant trees to help restore forests that have been damaged or destroyed.
• Reduce pollution: We can reduce pollution by driving less, using less energy, and recycling.

What is the future of forests?

The future of forests depends on the choices we make today. If we continue to deforest and pollute, forests will continue to decline. However, if we take steps to protect forests, they can thrive for many years to come.

Sure, here are some MCQs about forests:

1. Which of the following is not a type of forest?
   (A) Tropical rainforest
   (B) Temperate rainforest
   (C) Boreal forest
   (D) Desert forest

2. Which of the following is the largest type of forest in the world?
   (A) Tropical rainforest
   (B) Temperate rainforest
   (C) Boreal forest
   (D) Desert forest

3. Which of the following is the most biodiverse type of forest?
   (A) Tropical rainforest
   (B) Temperate rainforest
   (C) Boreal forest
   (D) Desert forest

4. Which of the following is the most threatened type of forest?
   (A) Tropical rainforest
   (B) Temperate rainforest
   (C) Boreal forest
   (D) Desert forest

5. Which of the following is the most important role of forests?
   (A) To provide habitat for wildlife
   (B) To regulate the climate
   (C) To provide clean water
   (D) To provide wood products

6. Which of the following is the most common threat to forests?
   (A) Deforestation
   (B) Climate change
   (C) Pollution
   (D) Disease

7. Which of the following is the most effective way to protect forests?
   (A) Planting trees
   (B) Reducing deforestation
   (C) Conserving forests
   (D) All of the above

8. Which of the following is the most common type of tree in the world?
   (A) Oak
   (B) Pine
   (C) Spruce
   (D) Eucalyptus

9. Which of the following is the most common type of animal in the forest?
   (A) Deer
   (B) Bear
   (C) Wolf
   (D) Rabbit

10. Which of the following is the most common type of insect in the forest?
    (A) Beetle
    (B) Butterfly
    (C) Moth
    (D) Bee

I hope these questions were helpful!