CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 5: Chapter 5 of CBSE Class 9 Geography is about "Natural Vegetation and Wildlife." It talks about the different types of plants and animals found in India. The chapter describes various kinds of forests, like tropical evergreen forests, tropical deciduous forests, thorny bushes, mountain vegetation, and mangrove forests.

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Overview

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 5 PDF

CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 5 PDF

CBSE Notes Class 9 Geography Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Natural Vegetation

Types of Vegetation in India

Tropical Evergreen Forests

• Location : Found in the Western Ghats, Lakshadweep Islands, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, upper Assam, and Tamil Nadu coast.
• Climate : Thrive in regions with more than 200 cm of rainfall annually and a short dry season.
• Characteristics : Trees reach heights of up to 60 meters with a dense, multilayered structure of trees, shrubs, and creepers.
• Flora : Includes ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, and cinchona trees.
• Fauna : Home to elephants, monkeys, lemurs, and various deer species.

Tropical Deciduous Forests

• Also Known As : Monsoon forests.
• Distribution : Spread across regions receiving rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm annually.
• Seasonal Shedding : Trees shed leaves during the dry summer period.
• Animals : Habitat for lions, tigers, pigs, deer, and elephants.

Moist Deciduous :

• Rainfall : Found in areas with rainfall between 200 cm and 100 cm.
• Dominant Species : Teak; other species include bamboos, sal, shisham, sandalwood, and khair.

Dry Deciduous :

• Rainfall : Found in areas with rainfall between 100 cm and 70 cm.
• Flora : Includes teak, sal, peepal, and neem trees.

Thorn Forests and Scrubs

• Location : Found in the north-western parts of India, including semi-arid regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
• Adaptations : Trees and bushes are thorny with deep roots to access moisture.
• Characteristics : Moist stems and small, thick leaves to minimize water loss.
• Flora : Acacias, palms, euphorbias, and cacti.
• Fauna : Includes rodents, rabbits, foxes, wolves, tigers, lions, wild donkeys, horses, and camels.

Montane Forests

• Location : Found in mountainous regions.
• Types :
  • Wet Temperate : Located between 1000 and 2000 meters altitude.
  • Alpine : Above 3600 meters, transitioning to grasslands and alpine vegetation.
• Flora : Includes a variety of trees and grasses adapted to cooler temperatures.
• Fauna : Includes Kashmir stag, spotted deer, wild sheep, jackrabbit, Tibetan antelope, yak, snow leopard, squirrels, shaggy horn wild ibex, bears, red pandas, and various sheep and goats.

Mangrove Forests

• Location : Found in coastal areas influenced by tides, such as the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.
• Adaptations : Trees rooted in saline sediments and submerged underwater.
• Flora : Sundari trees are prominent, providing hard timber.
• Fauna : Known for the Royal Bengal Tiger and diverse aquatic life adapted to brackish water conditions.

Wildlife in India

• Elephants : Found in the hot, wet forests of Assam, Karnataka, and Kerala.
• One-horned Rhinoceroses : Native to Assam and West Bengal.
• Wild Donkeys : Inhabit the Rann of Kachchh, while camels thrive in the Thar Desert.
• Indian Lions : Naturally occur in the Gir forest of Gujarat.
• Tigers : Populations exist in Madhya Pradesh, the Sundarbans of West Bengal, and the Himalayan region.
• High Altitude Wildlife : Ladakh hosts yak, shaggy horned wild oxen, Tibetan antelope, bharal (blue sheep), wild sheep, and kiang (Tibetan wild donkey).
• Aquatic Life : Rivers, lakes, and coastal areas are home to turtles, crocodiles, and gharials.
• Birds : Peacocks, pheasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes, and pigeons populate the forests and wetlands.

Threats to Flora and Fauna

• Causes : Major threats include hunting for commercial purposes, pollution from chemical and industrial waste, and rapid deforestation for agriculture and urbanization.
• Endangered Species : Approximately 1,300 plant species are endangered, with 20 species already extinct.

Government Initiatives

• Biosphere Reserves : Established 18 biosphere reserves across the country, with 10 included in the world network of biosphere reserves.
• Botanical Gardens : Since 1992, financial and technical assistance has supported many botanical gardens.
• Conservation Projects : Initiatives like Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard, and other eco-developmental projects aim to protect endangered species and their habitats.
• Protected Areas : India has 103 National Parks, 535 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Zoological Gardens dedicated to preserving its natural heritage.

Benefits of CBSE Class 9 Geography Notes Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation

• Understanding Ecosystems : It helps students understand how different types of vegetation support diverse ecosystems and contribute to ecological balance.
• Knowledge of Indian Geography : Students gain insights into the geographical distribution of natural vegetation across India, including tropical forests, deciduous forests, thorn forests, montane forests, and mangroves.
• Awareness of Wildlife : The chapter covers various wildlife species associated with different vegetation types, enhancing students' knowledge of India's rich biodiversity.
• Environmental Conservation : Learning about threats to flora and fauna encourages students to appreciate the importance of conservation efforts and sustainable practices.
• Exam Preparation : These Notes provide concise information essential for exams, helping students prepare effectively and perform well academically.
• Real-life Applications : Understanding natural vegetation and wildlife helps students connect classroom learning to real-world environmental issues and conservation challenges.