1. Biodiversity in India:

  • India is one of the 12 mega bio-diverse countries globally.
  • Plant diversity:
    • 47,000 species, ranking 10th globally and 4th in Asia.
    • 15,000 flowering plants (6% of the global total).
    • Non-flowering plants include ferns, algae, and fungi.
  • Animal diversity:
    • 90,000 animal species, 2,000 bird species (13% of global birds), 2,546 fish species (12% of global fish), and 5-8% of global amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.

2. Natural Vegetation:

  • Refers to plants growing naturally without human interference.
  • Types of Vegetation in India:
    1. Tropical Evergreen Forests:
      • Found in heavy rainfall areas (Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Tamil Nadu coast).
      • Rainfall > 200 cm; warm and wet climate.
      • Evergreen appearance, multilayered structure, trees like ebony, mahogany, rubber.
      • Animals: Elephants, monkeys, one-horned rhinoceroses, lemurs, and sloths.
    2. Tropical Deciduous Forests:
      • Most widespread in India, known as monsoon forests.
      • Rainfall: 70-200 cm. Trees shed leaves in summer.
      • Moist deciduous: Found in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Himalayan foothills; teak, sal, sandalwood.
      • Dry deciduous: Found in Bihar, UP; species include neem, peepal, and teak.
      • Animals: Tigers, lions, elephants, birds, and reptiles.
    3. Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs:
      • Found in areas with <70 cm rainfall (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana).
      • Thorny vegetation like acacias and cacti; adaptations to conserve water.
      • Animals: Rats, camels, foxes, and lions.
    4. Montane Forests:
      • Found in mountainous areas; vegetation changes with altitude.
      • Wet temperate forests: Oaks, chestnuts (1,000-2,000 m).
      • Coniferous forests: Pine, deodar, spruce (2,000-3,000 m).
      • Alpine vegetation: Mosses and lichens near the snowline (>3,600 m).
      • Animals: Snow leopards, yaks, red pandas, and ibex.
    5. Mangrove Forests:
      • Found in coastal areas affected by tides (Sundarbans, Godavari, Krishna deltas).
      • Trees like sundari, palms, and coconuts.
      • Animals: Royal Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and gharials.

3. Flora and Fauna Terminology:

  • Flora: Plants of a region.
  • Fauna: Animal species.
  • Endemic species: Native to a region.
  • Exotic species: Brought from other regions.

4. Wildlife in India:

  • Rich fauna with iconic species like lions (Gir forest), tigers (Sundarbans, Madhya Pradesh), elephants (Karnataka, Kerala), and one-horned rhinoceroses (Assam).
  • Migratory birds like Siberian cranes visit wetlands during winter.
  • Endangered species include snow leopards, red pandas, and gharials.

5. Medicinal Plants:

  • India has a long history of herbal medicine:
    • Neem: Antibacterial.
    • Tulsi: Treats cough and cold.
    • Jamun: Controls diabetes.
    • Arjun: Regulates blood pressure.
    • Sarpagandha: Treats blood pressure.
    • Kachnar: Used for asthma and ulcers.

6. Threats to Biodiversity:

  • Causes include hunting, deforestation, pollution, introduction of alien species, and habitat destruction.
  • Conservation Efforts:
    • 18 biosphere reserves (e.g., Sundarbans, Nilgiri).
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
    • Projects: Project Tiger, Project Rhino.
    • 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries.

7. Importance of Conservation:

  • Ecosystems support human survival by providing resources (food, medicine, pollination).
  • Loss of biodiversity disrupts ecological balance.

Additional Competitive Insights:

  • Key Species and Locations: Know specific animals and their habitats for exams (e.g., Royal Bengal Tiger in Sundarbans, wild ass in Rann of Kachchh).
  • Adaptations in Vegetation: Understand how plants adapt to climates (e.g., thorn forests in arid regions with deep roots).
  • Forest Cover: Study maps and patterns of forest distribution to link geography with conservation.

THESE ALL ARE THE NOTES OF CHAPTER 5 GEOGRAPHY. AND AFTER SOME TIME YOU GET IMPORTANT QUESTIONS HERE. *#THANKS FOR VISITING, VISIT AGAIN#* 😊