Page 121 - SST Class 08
P. 121
Plant and
Wildlife Resources 14
q Factors influencing vegetation and wildlife resources q Natural vegetation
q Significance of forests q Types of forests in the world
q Natural vegetation in India q Problems of deforestation
q Measures for conservation of forests q Wildlife resources
q Wildlife in India q Conservation of wildlife
q Conservation of wildlife in India
Introduction kinds of animals found in an area are also
determined by the nature of plants in that area.
Vegetation and wildlife are valuable resources.
When vegetation changes, animal life also
Physical environment of the earth is helpful in the
undergoes a change. All plants and animals in a
growth of a large variety of plants and wildlife. particular region are interlinked and
Vegetation (or plants) is said to be the first form of
interdependent on each other. They together form
life to have appeared on the earth followed by the ecosystem. This ecosystem is influenced by
microbes and animals including human beings.
the following factors :
There are nearly 3,00,000 plant species and
10,00,000 animal species on our earth. Vegetation Soil
plays a very significant role, because all forms of life The type of soil decides what kind of plant would
depend on it for survival. Plants are the only form grow in a certain area. The components of soil
of life which can transform solar energy into food determine not only plant growth, but also animal
energy. Hence, they give the primary products on life in the region; for example, earthworms are not
which animals and humans depend for survival. found in every type of soil, while some reptiles
There is a continuous exchange of matter and are found only in the desert region.
energy among land, air and water and organisms.
Relief Features
FACTORS INFLUENCING VEGETATION The relief features of a place also decide the
AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES growth of plant life. The kind of soil at a place is
determined by the slope of the place, intensity of
The origin and sustenance of different types of water and sunlight. For example, the south-facing
plants and animals in a region on the earth is slopes of the Himalayas have more vegetation
decided by different than the north-facing slopes.
factors, such as climate,
land features, rainfall, Man
velocity of wind, distance The ecosystem is dominated by man because of
from the Equator etc. his special abilities. He has applied this system for
Plants occur, as a distinct his own benefit. Thus, man’s influence on plant
group, in areas having the and wildlife resources is significant.
same climatic conditions. A forest
Location
The term ‘flora’ is used to indicate the plants of a Plants are rooted in the soil. They are fixed at their
specific region or period, listed as a species.
place and cannot move. They have to adapt
Species of animals are known as ‘fauna’. The
Plant and Wildlife Resources
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