Morning Star Textbook Solutions: Natural Vegetation of India | Geography Class 10 ICSE PDF Download

Choose the Correct Option

Q1: Which of the following is true about natural vegetation?
(a) It refers to the plant community which has grown naturally.
(b) It has not been disturbed over a long time.
(c) It allows its individual species to adjust themselves to the climate and soil conditions.
(d) All of the above.
Ans: (d) 

Q2: Plants of a particular region or period, listed as species and considered as a group is called _________.
(a) Flora
(b) Vegetation
(c) Forest
(d) All of the above.
Ans: (a) 

Q3: The assemblage of plant species living in association with each other in a given environmental set-up is called _________.
(a) Forest
(b) Vegetation
(c) Flora
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b) 

Q4: What are the chief characteristics of Tropical Rain forests?
(a) They appear green all the year round.
(b) They have dense canopy of trees.
(c) The trees do not have a fixed time to shed their leaves.
(d) All of the above.
Ans: (d) 

Q5: Why are the Tropical Evergreen forests not fully exploited?
(a) Because they do not shed their leaves and have dense canopy of trees.
(b) Because they are found in highly inaccessible areas.
(c) Because of tangled mass of canes, palms and bamboos.
(d) Because they have dense undergrowth.
Ans: (c) 

Q6: Tropical Deciduous forests are also known as _______.
(a) Rain forests
(b) Monsoon forests
(c) Tidal forests
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b) 

Q7: Sandalwood belongs to _______ category of forests.
(a) the Moist Deciduous forests
(b) the Dry Deciduous forests
(c) the Rain forests
(d) the Mountain forests
Ans: (a)

Q8: The type of vegetation found in Tropical Thorn forests is _______.
(a) Thyrophytic
(b) Thornyphytic
(c) Xerophytic
(d) Phylophytic
Ans: (c)

Q9: At which of the following places Tidal forests are found?
(a) Wet marshy areas
(b) River deltas and along sea coasts
(c) Swampy areas
(d) All of the above
Ans: (d) 

Q10: Why do Tidal forests have a profuse growth with tangle of climbers?
(a) To adapt themselves to survive in soft and shifting mud in wet marshy areas and river deltas.
(b) To breathe while being submerged under water through pores.
(c) To adapt themselves to live in damp and moist conditions.
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (a) 

Q11: Littoral forests have breathing roots called ________.
(a) Pneumatophores
(b) Pinophores
(c) Phytopores
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (a)

Q12: Mangrove trees are utilised for which purpose?
(a) Timber
(b) Fruit
(c) Ornamental objects
(d) Fuel
Ans: (d) 

Q13: For which purpose are Sundari trees utilised?
(a) Rearing shellac worms.
(b) Furniture, railway carriages and bridges.
(c) Hard durable timber for construction purposes and boat making.
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (c) 

Q14: Why do tropical deserts have stunted growth?
(a) Due to high temperature these trees do not grow to great heights.
(b) Due to scarcity of rain water the trees do not get enough water for their growth.
(c) Due to long roots that reach deep underground and therefore do not attain height.
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (b) 

Ans: the Following Questions

Q1(a): What is meant by natural vegetation?
Ans: Natural vegetation refers to the plant community that has developed without any human intervention and has remained undisturbed for an extended period, allowing its species to adapt completely to the local climate and soil conditions.

Q1(b): Give two points of difference between vegetation and forests.
Ans:

Q1(c): Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) The Western Ghats are covered with thick evergreen forests while the Eastern Ghats are covered by deciduous forests.
(ii) Tropical evergreen forests have tall trees and appear green all year round.
(iii) Deciduous forests are commercially most exploited.
Ans:
(i) Evergreen forests are found in areas with high temperatures and significant annual rainfall. The Western Ghats receive over 200 cm of rainfall annually with average temperatures between 25°C and 27°C. In contrast, deciduous forests thrive in areas with moderate rainfall, as seen in the Eastern Ghats, which receive between 100 cm and 200 cm of annual rainfall and have temperatures ranging from 24°C to 27°C.

(ii) Tropical evergreen forests have tall trees due to the warm and wet climate that prevails year-round. The trees do not shed their leaves at a specific time, allowing the forest to maintain its greenery throughout the year.

(iii) Deciduous forests are commercially exploited because they provide valuable timber and various other products, such as sandalwood, which are in high demand domestically and internationally. Their less dense structure also facilitates easier and more economical transportation.

Q1(d): (i) Name one area where tropical rain forests are found.
(ii) Mention two main characteristics of tropical rain forests.
Ans:
(i) Tropical rain forests are found on the western slopes of the Western Ghats.
(ii) Two main characteristics of tropical rain forests are:

• Trees reach great heights of over 60 m.
• This region remains warm and wet throughout the year, supporting a rich variety of vegetation, including trees, shrubs, and creepers, resulting in a multi-layered structure.

Q2(a): Give two points of difference between Tropical Evergreen and Tropical Deciduous Forests.
Ans:

Q2(b): What are the climatic conditions under which Tropical Evergreen Forests develop?
Ans: The climatic conditions required for the development of Tropical Evergreen Forests are:

1. Annual rainfall exceeding 200 cm.
2. Average annual temperatures between 25°C and 27°C.
3. Average annual humidity exceeding 77%.

Q2(c): Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Tropical Evergreen Forests are difficult to exploit for commercial purposes.
(ii) The delta area of river Ganga is called Sunderbans.
(iii) Forests are grown in and around cities having Iron and Steel Industries, and Thermal Power Plants.
Ans:
(i) Tropical Evergreen Forests are challenging to exploit commercially due to the dense growth of canes, palms, bamboos, and climbers, along with limited transportation access.
(ii) The delta area of the river Ganga is known as Sunderbans because of the presence of sundari trees in that region.
(iii) Forests are cultivated in urban areas with Iron and Steel Industries and Thermal Power Plants to mitigate pollution levels, as they act as natural barriers to dust and help purify the air.

Q2(d): (i) What are the characteristic features of deciduous forests?
(ii) Name the two types of deciduous forests.
Ans:

(i) The characteristic features of deciduous forests include:

1. The trees shed their leaves for six to eight weeks during spring and early summer.
2. A particular species can be found over vast areas.
3. They are the most commercially exploited forests.

(ii) The two types of deciduous forests are:

1. Moist Deciduous Forests
2. Dry Deciduous Forests

Q3(a): Mention the areas where Tropical Desert Vegetation thrives.
Ans: Tropical Desert Vegetation thrives in regions such as southwestern Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, central and eastern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

Q3(b): Under what climatic conditions do Littoral forests develop?
Ans: Littoral forests thrive in areas where the temperature ranges between 26°C and 29°C, and the annual rainfall does not exceed 200 cm.

Q3(c): Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) The forest area has greatly depleted in India. 
(ii) The Tropical Evergreen forests are found on the western slope of the Western Ghats.
(iii) Acacia has long roots.
Ans:
(i) The forest area in India has significantly decreased due to deforestation for agriculture, timber extraction, and rapid urbanization and industrialization, which have led to substantial loss of forest cover.
(ii) Tropical Evergreen forests are located on the western slope of the Western Ghats because these regions experience high temperatures and substantial annual rainfall, over 200 cm, making them suitable for such forests.
(iii) Acacia trees have long roots to access deep underground water sources, enabling them to survive in drought-prone conditions.

Q3(d): (i) State two characteristic features of tropical desert vegetation. Name two typical trees found here.
(ii) Why do tropical deserts have stunted trees?
Ans: (i) Two characteristic features of tropical desert vegetation are:

1. The vegetation consists of Xerophytic plants due to low rainfall, resulting in stunted trees and patches of coarse grasses.
2. The plants tend to remain leafless for most of the year, resembling scrub vegetation.

Typical trees found in these areas include babool and date palm.

(ii) Tropical deserts have stunted trees primarily due to insufficient rainfall.

Q4(a): What are 'Tidal forests'? Name two typical trees found there.
Ans: Tidal forests are specialized tropical natural vegetation types located in wetlands that exist between terrestrial and aquatic systems, where the water table is close to the surface. Two typical trees found in tidal forests are Keora and Amur.

Q4(b): Name the type of forests found in the western part of the Western Ghats. Give two reasons why these forests are so named.
Ans: Tropical Evergreen forests are found in the western part of the Western Ghats. They are named so because:

1. They remain green throughout the year, lacking a specific season for leaf shedding.
2. They grow in regions that receive more than 200 cm of annual rainfall.

Q4(c): Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Forests constitute an important natural resource.
(ii) Agro forestry is not vulnerable to population stress.
(iii) Tidal forests have profuse growth with tangle of climbers.
Ans:
(i) Forests are vital natural resources because they provide products like fruits, leaves, and timber for various uses, including furniture and energy sources. They also yield fibers and essential oils.
(ii) Agro forestry mitigates population stress by coordinating with local communities and reducing the pressure on traditional forestry practices.
(iii) Tidal forests exhibit dense growth with tangled climbers to adapt to soft and shifting mud conditions, which are typical in wetlands.

Q4(d): Describe the methods of protecting forests under the following heads:
(i) Afforestation.
(ii) Using alternative sources of energy.
Ans: 
(i) Afforestation involves planting trees on land that has not been previously forested, contributing to the restoration of forest cover.
(ii) To conserve forests, we can adopt non-conventional or renewable energy sources such as solar, tidal, and hydel energy, reducing the reliance on timber and fossil fuels.

Q5(a): What is social forestry?
Ans: Social forestry refers to the management and protection of forests and the afforestation of barren lands aimed at promoting environmental, social, and rural development.

Q5(b): Give two points of difference between agro-forestry and traditional forestry.
Ans:

Q5(c): Mention any three methods for the conservation and development of forests in India.
Ans: Three methods for conserving and developing forests in India include:

• Increasing the area under forests.
• Afforestation around industrial units.
• Utilizing alternative sources of energy.

Q5(d): State three objectives of agro-forestry.
Ans: Three objectives of agro-forestry are-

• To reduce pressure on natural forests for obtaining timber as well as non-timber forest produce.
• To check soil erosion and to maintain the natural fertility of the soil.
• To maintain ecological balance along with proper utilisation of farm resources.

Q6(a): Why does the vegetation in the Himalayas vary with altitude?
Ans: The vegetation in the Himalayas vary with altitude because in the mountain regions, temperature decreases with altitude.

Q6(b): Why does Tropical Evergreen forests appear dark inside the forests.
Ans: Tropical Evergreen forests appear dark inside the forests because of the dense canopy of trees which do not allow enough sunlight to reach the ground.

Q6(c): Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Nilgiri region has variety of vegetation type.
(ii) Sundari trees are used for boat making and construction purposes.
(iii) Littoral forest is also called tidal forest.
Ans:
(i) In mountain regions, temperature decreases with increase in altitude. This has a corresponding effect on the natural vegetation of the mountain region. Thus, vegetation in lower regions of Nilgiri is sub tropical and vegetation in upper regions of Nilgiri is temperate.
(ii) Sundari trees are used for boat making and construction purposes because these trees provide hard durable timber.
(iii) Littoral forest is also called tidal forest because they are found in tidal zone, an area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide.

Q6(d): Explain how is man responsible for the reduction of forest cover in India.
Ans: The felling of the trees for the purpose of obtaining timber is an important cause of reduced forest cover in India. Rapid industrialization, urbanisation and expansion of cities has also led to the destruction of forest cover in the country.

Q7(a): Name two areas where Tropical deciduous vegetation is found.
Ans: Tropical deciduous vegetation is found in north-eastern part of the peninsula and along the foothills of the Himalayas.

Q7(b): Why do the Coniferous trees of mountain forests have conical shape?
Ans: Since coniferous trees are found in cold regions, they are well adapted to the cold climate. Their leaves are conical in shape so that the snow slides off easily from the branches without causing any damage to them.

Q7(c): Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Littoral forest vegetation has breathing roots.
(ii) Forests are often compared to human lungs.
(iii) Van Mahotsav is celebrated in our country every year.
Ans:
(i) Littoral forest vegetation has breathing roots because these root enable the plants to breathe during the waterlogged conditions which occur when high tide comes.
(ii) Forests are compared to human lungs as the trees which make up a forest act as the compartment of lungs which help in inhalation and exhalation of the air. But in lungs, Oxygen is taken in and Carbon dioxide is given out whereas in trees carbon dioxide is inhaled and oxygen is exhaled.
(iii) Van Mahotsav is celebrated in our country every year to create awareness about the importance of trees and encourage community participation in planting trees.

Q7(d): What is meant by 'farm forestry'? State two of its advantages for farmers.
Ans: Farm forestry is the practice of growing trees on the farm land to produce saleable products like timber, tannin, charcoal, etc. and to provide shade and shelter for stock and crops.

Two advantages of farm forestry are-

• It increases farm income.
• It supports community development.

Thinking Skills

Q1: You went for a study tour to Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats. On reaching there, you found a luxuriant vegetation and evergreen trees. What accounts for such a growth of vegetation? What type of forests did you find in the area? Name any three types of trees found there and their economic importance.
Ans: 

• Recently I went to Mahabaleshwar for a study tour and found luxuriant vegetation and evergreen trees. My teacher explained that such vegetation and evergreen trees are found in the areas where the annual rainfall is more than 200 cm with a short dry season, average annual temperature is between 25°C and 27°C and average annual humidity exceeds 77 percent.
• I found tropical evergreen forests there. The main variety of trees found in these forests include rosewood, ebony and mahogany. Rosewood is used for making furniture, floor board wagon parts, etc. It is used as decorative wood for carving and for making ornamental ply-boards. Ebony is used for ornamental carving and for decoration. It is used for inlaying, for making musical instruments, sports goods, piano keys and caskets. Thus, the timber produced by evergreen trees is of high economic value.

Q2: You live in an area which is surrounded by the commercially most exploited forests. Which forests are these and why are they most exploited forests in India? Besides your area, where are these forests found? State the climatic conditions required for such forests to flourish.
Ans: 

• Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests are found in the area where I reside. These are commercially the most exploited forests because they provide invaluable timber and various other products. They are less dense which makes transport easier and economical. Sandalwood found in these forests is in great demand in India and abroad.
• Besides my area, these forests occur in the north eastern part of the Peninsula, along the foothills of the Himalayas and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. They occupy a sizeable area in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests are found in areas with moderate or low annual rainfall of 100 cm to 200 cm and the mean annual temperature of 24°C and 27°C and humidity percentage of 50 to 80.

Q3: Imagine that you want to start a factory to manufacture plant based medicines, beauty products and toothpastes. Which forest area would you choose in the vicinity of which you can start your factory and why?
Ans:

• I would choose to start my factory in the vicinity of tropical desert forest because neem, babool and date palm trees are found in these forests.
• Babool bark and gum and Neem bark and roots have medicinal properties. It is effective in treating diabetes, allergies, ulcers and several other diseases. Hence, it can be used for making plant-based medicines. Date palm is eaten raw and also used as an astringent, as a decoction syrup or paste for sore throat, cold, fever, etc. Neem oil, leaves and neem extracts are used to manufacture health and beauty products. Neem is also used as an insecticide. Thus, beauty products and toothpastes can also be manufactured by using these trees.

Q4: If given a choice between agro-forestry and traditional forestry, which one will you choose? Why?
Ans: I would choose agro-forestry over traditional forestry because it aims to provide conservation of the land and its improvement in order to achieve a combined produce of forest and agricultural crops.