Natural Vegetation & Wildlife

Natural vegetation is classified into three categories:
- Forests – Grow where temperature and rainfall are plentiful.
- Grasslands – Grow in the regions with moderate rain.
- Shrubs – Grow in dry region.
Types of Forests are:
- Tropical Evergreen Forests:
- Found in the regions near equator and close to the tropics.
- Receives hot and heavy rainfall throughout the year.
- Trees do not shed their leaves altogether.
- Trees grown here – Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, etc.
- Tropical Deciduous Forests:
- Found in the large part of India, northern Australia and in Central America.
- They experience seasonal changes.
- Trees grown here – Sal, Teak, Neem, etc.
- Animals found here – Tigers, Lions, Elephants, etc.
- Temperate Evergreen Forests:
- Located in mid-latitudinal coastal regions.
- Commonly found along the eastern margins of continents.
- Found in South East USA, South China and in South East Brazil.
- Trees found here – Oak, Pine, Eucalyptus, etc.
- Temperate Deciduous Forests:
- Found in higher latitudes.
- Found in North Eastern part of USA, China, New Zealand, Chile and coastal regions of Western Europe.
- Trees grown here – Oak, Ash, Beech, etc.
- Animals found here – Deer, Foxes, Wolves, etc.
- Mediterranean Vegetation:
- Are known as “Orchard of the world” for their fruit cultivation.
- Found in west and south-west margins of the continents.
- Found in areas around Mediterranean sea in Europe, Africa and Asia.
- Also found in California in USA, South West Africa, South Western South America and South West Australia.
- They have hot dry summers and mild rainy winters.
- Fruits cultivated here – Figs, Oranges, Olives, etc.
- Coniferous Forests:
- Also known as “Taiga”.
- Found in higher latitudes ( 50^o – 70^o ) of Northern hemisphere.
- Trees grown here – Chir, Pine, Cedar, etc.
- Animals found here – Mink, Polar Bear, Silver Fox, etc.
Types of Grasslands:
- Tropical Grasslands:
- Grow on either side of equator and extend till the tropics.
- Grows in areas with moderate to low amount of rainfall.
- They grow about 3 to 4 metres in height.
- Animals found here – Elephants, Zebra, Deer, etc.
- Different names of tropical grasslands in different regions:
- East Africa – Savanna
- Brazil – Campos
- Venezuela – Llanos
- Temperate Grasslands:
- Found in mid-latitudinal zones and in interior parts of continents.
- Grass is short and nutritious.
- Animals found here – Wild buffaloes, Bison, Antelopes, etc.
- Different names of temperate grasslands in different regions:
- Argentina – Pampas
- North America – Prairie
- South Africa – Veld
- Central Asia – Steppe
- Australia – Down
- Thorny Bushes:
- Found in western margins of continents.
- Vegetation is scarce.
- Experience scanty rain and scorching heat.
- Tundra:
- Found in polar areas of Europe, Asia and North America.
- Experiences extreme cold.
- Only lichens, mosses and small shrubs grow here.
- Animals found here – Musk-oxen, Walruses, Polar bear, etc.