A. Choose the correct answer.
1.
Ans: (d)
2.
Ans: (d)
3.
Ans: (a)
4.
Ans: (d)
5.
Ans: (b)
B. Fill in the blanks
1.Ans: Natural vegetation and wildlife are two important components of the biosphere.
2.Ans: The climate in the regions with tropical evergreen forests is hot and humid.
3.Ans: Sundari is a tree found in mangrove forests.
4.Ans: Coniferous forests found in the sub-polar belt are also known as boreal forests.
5.Ans: Llanos are the tropical grasslands of Venezuela.
C. Give Reasons
1.Ans: The Amazon rainforest is known as the 'lungs of the world’ because it hosts over half of all the terrestrial species in the world and plays a crucial role in the planet's oxygen cycle, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
2.Ans: Tropical deciduous forests are also known as monsoon forests because they are found in the monsoon regions of the world, where they experience heavy rains during the monsoon season.
3.Ans: Temperate evergreen forests are also known as mixed forests because both hardwoods and softwoods grow in these regions, offering a diverse mix of tree species.
4.Ans: Animals found in tundra regions have thick fur because the region is very cold, with severe winters and cool summers. The thick fur provides insulation and enables the animals to survive in the harsh climatic conditions.
D. Answer in one or two sentences.
1.Ans: The four broad categories of natural vegetation are forest, grassland, desert and tundra.
2.
Ans: Some trees found in tropical deciduous forests are sandalwood, sal, shisham, bamboo, teak and banyan.
3.
Ans: Temperate evergreen forests are found along the eastern coasts in the temperate areas of the world—along the Pacific Ocean in north-western North America and south-western South America; parts of New Zealand and Tasmania; north-west Europe and southern Japan.
4.
Ans: The climate of the regions with Mediterranean vegetation is characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
E. Answer In a paragraph
1.
Ans: Evergreen forests are dense forests found in regions with high rainfall and temperatures above 15°C. They are called evergreen because the trees shed their leaves at different times of the year, keeping the forest green throughout. Examples of trees found in evergreen forests are ebony, rosewood and mahogany. On the other hand, deciduous forests are found in regions that have seasonal changes. The trees in these forests shed their leaves in a particular season, typically in autumn. Examples of trees in deciduous forests are oak, ash, and beech.
2.
Ans: Tropical evergreen forests are found in regions that have a hot and humid climate with temperatures averaging 15-30°C and plenty of rainfall throughout the year. The vegetation in these forests is extremely dense, with trees that have broad leaves and shed them at different times of the year. The trees that grow here are mainly hardwoods like ebony, rosewood, and mahogany, and the forests also host a wide variety of wildlife.
3.
Ans: The tundra region is located near the polar regions and in high altitudes where the temperature is very cold, such as the polar areas of Europe, Asia, and North America. The climate in these regions is extremely cold, with most of the region covered in snow and ice during winter. The vegetation consists of mosses, lichens, and very small shrubs that grow only during the short summers. The wildlife in the tundra region includes animals with thick fur to protect themselves from the cold, such as the polar bear, Arctic fox, musk ox, caribou, walrus, and lemming.
4.
Ans: Coniferous forests are found mainly in the sub-polar belt of the Northern Hemisphere, which has severe winters and cool summers. The vegetation is mostly composed of softwood trees or conifers like birch, cedar, pine, spruce, and fir. Desert vegetation, on the other hand, is found between 15° and 35° North and South latitudes where the climate is very hot during the day and very cold at night. The vegetation consists mainly of a few trees, shrubs, and grasses that are adapted to the harsh desert conditions.
5.
Ans: Different regions with varied vegetation host unique wildlife. For instance, tropical evergreen forests are home to a variety of reptiles like snakes and crocodiles, mammals like gorillas, chimpanzees, and jaguars; and birds like macaws, toucans, and vultures. The deciduous forests host tigers, lions, elephants, and deer along with a variety of birds like eagles, parakeets, and kingfishers. Lastly, the tundra region is home to animals like polar bears, Arctic foxes, musk ox, caribou, walruses, and lemmings, all of which have thick fur to protect themselves from the severe cold.