Unit Test (Solutions): Natural Vegetation and Wildlife | Social Studies (SST) Class 9 PDF Download

Time: 1 hour
M.M. 30
Attempt all questions.
Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
Question numbers 9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
Question numbers 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.

Q1. Which type of vegetation is known as virgin vegetation? (1 Mark)
(i) Cultivated crops
(ii) Natural vegetation undisturbed by humans
(iii) Orchards
(iv) Exotic plants

Ans: (ii) Natural vegetation undisturbed by humans

Q2. Which forest type is found in areas with rainfall above 200 cm and no definite leaf-shedding season? (1 Mark)
(i) Tropical Deciduous Forests
(ii) Tropical Evergreen Forests
(iii) Montane Forests
(iv) Mangrove Forests

Ans: (ii) Tropical Evergreen
They remain green throughout the year and are found in areas with more than 200 cm rainfall.

Q3. Which animal is unique to the Gir forest in Gujarat? (1 Mark)
(i) One-horned rhinoceros
(ii) Indian lion
(iii) Royal Bengal Tiger
(iv) Snow leopard

Ans: (ii) Indian lion

Q4. Which medicinal plant is used to treat blood pressure and is found only in India? (1 Mark)
(i) Neem
(ii) Sarpagandha
(iii) Tulsi
(iv) Jamun

Ans: (ii) Sarpagandha

Q5. Which bioreserve is not part of the world network of biosphere reserves? (1 Mark)
(i) Sundarbans
(ii) Nilgiri
(iii) Manas
(iv) Panna

Ans: (iii) Manas

Q6. Differentiate between flora and fauna. (2 Marks)

Ans: Flora refers to the plant species of a specific region or period, while fauna denotes the animal species of that region or period.

Q7. Describe the characteristics of Thorn Forests and Scrubs. (2 Marks)

Ans: Found in areas with less than 70 cm rainfall, these forests have thorny trees and bushes with long roots to access moisture, succulent stems, and small, thick leaves to reduce evaporation.

Q8. Name two animals found in Montane Forests and their adaptations. (2 Marks)

Ans: 

• Yak: Has thick hair to survive in cold conditions.

• Snow leopard: Has camouflaged fur to hunt in snowy areas.

Q9. Explain the features of Mangrove Forests and their significance. (3 Marks)

Ans: 

• Found in coastal tidal areas with mud and silt.

• Have submerged roots (e.g., Sundari trees in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta).

• Provide durable hard timber, protect coasts from erosion, and support biodiversity like Royal Bengal Tigers, crocodiles, and turtles.

Q10. Why are some plant and animal species endangered in India? (3 Marks)

Ans: Causes include:

• Hunting for commercial purposes.

• Pollution from chemicals and industrial waste.

• Introduction of alien species.

• Cutting forests to bring land under cultivation and habitation, which disrupts ecosystems.

Q11. Describe the vegetation found at high altitudes in India. (3 Marks)

Ans: 

• Above 3,600 m: Alpine vegetation with silver fir, junipers, pines, and birches.

• Near snow-line: Trees become stunted, replaced by shrubs, Alpine grasslands, mosses, and lichens.

• Grasslands are used for grazing by nomadic tribes.

Q12. Discuss the types of vegetation found in India and their distribution. (5 Marks)

Ans: India has five major vegetation types:

• Tropical Evergreen Forests: Found in areas having more than 200 cm rainfall with a short dry season, such as the Western Ghats, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, and Tamil Nadu coast. Trees are tall (up to 60 m), have a multilayered structure, and remain green throughout the year.

• Tropical Deciduous Forests: Most widespread; found in areas with 70–200 cm rainfall. Moist deciduous (100–200 cm) in NE states, foothills of Himalayas, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha; dry deciduous (70–100 cm) in peninsular plateau and plains of Bihar–U.P. Dominant species include teak, sal, and bamboo.

• Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs: Found in areas with <70 cm rainfall like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. Vegetation includes thorny trees, cacti, and plants with deep roots.

• Montane Forests: Found in mountainous areas; wet temperate forests (1,000–2,000 m) have broad-leaf trees; coniferous forests (1,500–3,000 m) have pine, deodar, silver fir; Alpine vegetation (>3,600 m) in Himalayas and NE hills.

• Mangrove Forests: Found in tidal coastal areas like the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta; Sundari trees with submerged roots are common.

Q13. Analyze the measures taken by the Indian government to conserve flora and fauna and their importance. (5 Marks)

Ans: Measures:

•  Biosphere Reserves: 18 reserves set up; 12 are in the world network (e.g., Sundarbans, Nilgiri, Nanda Devi, Panna).

• Financial and Technical Aid: Given to botanical gardens since 1992.

• Conservation Projects: Project Tiger, Project Rhino, Project Great Indian Bustard, and others for species-specific protection.

• Protected Areas: 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Zoological Gardens preserve biodiversity.

Importance: These measures maintain biodiversity, crucial for ecological balance, pollination, and resource provision (e.g., timber, medicines). Conservation prevents extinction, supports food security, and sustains ecosystems for human survival.