*why do Western slopes of Western ghats have the thick forest as compared to eastern slopes?*?

Question

Answer

Western slopes of western ghats have the thick forest as compared to eastern slopes because western slopes experiences more gets much heavier rainfall than the eastern slopes.

Answer

Western side gets more rainfall in monsoon whereas eastern side gets too little in comparison. Soil in the western side is more fertile supporting dense forest.The western slope of western ghats being on the wind ward side receives heavy rainfall from the arabian sea branch.These winds bring abundant moisture.When winds from the Arabian branch reach the Eastern Ghat, they are almost dry and no/ less rain occurs.

Answer

Introduction:
The Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of India. It is known for its rich biodiversity and dense forests. However, the Western slopes of the Western Ghats are often observed to have thicker forests compared to the Eastern slopes. Several factors contribute to this difference in forest density.

1. Rainfall:
The Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea, leading to heavy rainfall on the Western slopes. The Western slopes receive an average annual rainfall of 2,500 to 3,500 mm, while the Eastern slopes receive comparatively lesser rainfall, ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 mm. The higher rainfall on the Western slopes provides favorable conditions for the growth of dense forests.

2. Altitude:
The Western slopes of the Western Ghats have higher elevations compared to the Eastern slopes. The altitude ranges from 900 to 1,800 meters on the Western slopes, while it ranges from 300 to 900 meters on the Eastern slopes. Higher altitudes on the Western slopes result in cooler temperatures and increased cloud cover, creating a more favorable environment for the growth of dense forests.

3. Slope Orientation:
The Western slopes of the Western Ghats face the Arabian Sea, which leads to the interception of moisture-laden winds. These winds get trapped by the mountain range, causing orographic rainfall on the Western slopes. In contrast, the Eastern slopes face the Deccan Plateau, which results in a rain shadow effect. The plateau blocks the monsoon winds, leading to comparatively drier conditions and reduced forest density on the Eastern slopes.

4. Soil Characteristics:
The Western slopes of the Western Ghats have a higher proportion of laterite and red soil, which are rich in nutrients. These soils have good water-holding capacity and support the growth of diverse plant species. In contrast, the Eastern slopes have predominantly black soil, which is less fertile and has lower water-holding capacity, leading to comparatively less dense forests.

Conclusion:
The Western slopes of the Western Ghats have thick forests compared to the Eastern slopes due to factors such as higher rainfall, higher altitude, favorable slope orientation, and nutrient-rich soil. These factors create a conducive environment for the growth of diverse plant species, resulting in the formation of dense forests.

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