Maharashtra Board Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 Natural Vegetation And Wildlife PDF Download

Natural Vegetation And Wildlife

Observe the images shown in figure 5.1 and discuss on the basis of the following points.

Can you tell the names of the plants/trees shown in the image?

Where have you seen these plants before?

Name the fauna shown in the image.

Where have you see them before?

You might have recognized the species shown above and discussed about them, because there is similarity between them and many Indian species. But these species are found in Brazil. Look for their names. Now we will study about the variety of flora found in Brazil.

In figure 5.2, rainfall, flora and fauna of Brazil has been shown in the cross profile along with physiography. The change occurring in the above elements while going from north to south is clearly seen here. Discuss about this in the class and write a note about it.

Geographical Explanation

Brazil Vegetation

In Brazil, rainfall varies due to physiography. In most parts of the equatorial region, it rains throughout the year. As one moves away from the equator, the number of rainy days as well as amount of rainfall reduces.

This affects the life cycle of the vegetation too. Evergreen forests are found in the area where it rains throughout the year. In regions which receive rainfall only during certain seasons, the density of the vegetation reduces. Instead of forests, various types of grasses, short shrubs, thorny vegetation, etc. are found.

Brazil has the largest number of vegetation species in the world. This includes evergreen vegetation, semi-evergreen, arid, etc. One finds trees like Pau Brasil, rubber, mahogany, rosewood and a variety of orchids.

Because of the evergreen rainforests in Brazil, there is a large amount of oxygen that is released in the environment. This helps to reduce carbon dioxide levels. Therefore, these rainforests are rightly called the 'lungs of the world'.

Teacher's Note

Brazil has many types of plants and animals like India. The rainforests there release oxygen just like the forests near your home in India.

Exam Trick

Remember: Brazil's rainforests = lungs of the world. Just like your lungs give you oxygen, these forests give oxygen to the whole world.

Points to Remember

Rainfall in Brazil changes from north to south.
More rain means more plants and animals.
Brazil has the most types of plants in the world.
The rainforests are called the lungs of the world.
These forests help reduce carbon dioxide.

India Vegetation

Following types of forests are found in India.

In regions which receive more than 2000 mm of rainfall on an average along with abundant sunlight, evergreen forests are found. The leaves of the trees in these forests are broad and green. The trees have hardwood, heavy and durable. For example, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, etc. Also, there are various types of creepers found here. Highest biodiversity is found in these forests.

In regions receiving rainfall between 1000 mm to 2000 mm in India, deciduous forests are found. In dry seasons, trees shed their leaves so that water is not lost due to evaporation. For example, teak, bamboo, banyan, peepal, etc are the trees found in these forests.

Regions that receive less than 500 mm of rainfall and experience dry summers for a long period in India, thorny and shrub-type vegetation is found. The leaves are small in size. For example, catechu, acacia, khejri, and varieties of cactus like aloe vera and agave.

In swampy areas, estuaries and lagoons near coastal areas having saline soils and moist climate, coastal type of vegetation is found. They are called mangroves or Sunderbans in India. The wood of these trees is oily, light and durable.

In Indian Himalayas, three types of forests are found according to the altitude. In areas located at the highest altitude, seasonally flowering trees are found. In regions with medium altitude, coniferous trees like pine, deodar, fir and at foothills mixed forests are found. This includes both coniferous and deciduous type of forests. Here, the proportion of sal trees is higher.

Teacher's Note

India has different types of forests in different places. Forests with more rain have more plants, while dry places have fewer plants.

Exam Trick

Remember: More rain = More trees. Less rain = Less trees and more bushes. This is true for both Brazil and India.

Points to Remember

Evergreen forests need more than 2000 mm rainfall.
Deciduous forests need 1000 to 2000 mm rainfall.
Thorny shrubs grow in areas with less than 500 mm rainfall.
Mangrove forests grow in wet coastal areas.
Himalayan forests change with altitude and temperature.

Brazil Wildlife

On the basis of figure 5.4, answer the following questions:

Name the species shown on the map. Condor, Anaconda, Golden lion tamarin, macaw, etc.

In which regions are these animals found? Why are their habitats found in these forests?

Classify the forest regions with reference to their extent.

Geographical Explanation

A greater diversity in wildlife is found in Brazil than any other country in the world. In the swampy areas of the Pantanal, huge anacondas are found. In Brazil, guinea pigs, crocodiles, alligators, monkeys, pumas, leopards, etc are found. Among the fish varieties, mainly swordfish are found in the seas while pink dolphins and piranhas are found in the rivers. Condors which are huge in size and fly high in the sky, various types of parrots, macaws, and flamingoes are the major birds found here. Millions of insect varieties are also found here. As a result of these varieties, the wildlife of Brazil is very rich and diverse.

Degradation of environment is happening due to illegal smuggling of wild animals, slash and burn agriculture (roka), deforestation, pollution, etc. Brazil is facing these problems today. Many endemic species are on the verge of getting extinct because of these issues.

Teacher's Note

Brazil has more types of animals than any other country. But these animals are in danger because of cutting down forests and hunting.

Exam Trick

Remember: Brazil = most animal types. But forests are getting cut = animals are disappearing. Just like in India, we need to save them.

Points to Remember

Brazil has more types of animals than any other country in the world.
Anacondas live in swampy areas.
Many parrots, macaws and condors live there.
Pink dolphins and piranhas live in rivers.
Forests are being cut down and animals are disappearing.

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