6.

NATURAL VEGETATION
EXERCISE
A. Multiple Choice Questions
1. Tropical evergreen forests are so called because
(a) they are very dense
(b) they are rain forests
(c) the trees are found in mixed stands
(d) they do not shed their leaves at the same time
2. Identify the tree which is hard and scented found usually in high
altitudes.
(a) Teak (b) Rosewood
(c) Deodar (d) Sundari

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 3.
Name the vegetation found in the windward side of the Western
Ghats
(a) Tropical evergreen forest (b) Deciduous
(c) Mangrove forests (d) Thorn and scrub forests
4. Afforestation is
(a) cutting down the trees
(b) planting trees from where they have been removed
(c) planting fresh trees
(d) clearing forests for the purpose of farming
5. These type of trees are found on the windward side of the
Western Ghats
(a) Rosewood (b) Hintal
(c) Chir (d) Deodar
6.
Littoral forests grow in the areas of
(a) heavy rainfall (more than 200cm) in and around delta
(b) Western coast of India with rainfall above 200cm
(c) Central India with rainfall of 100-200cm
(d) In North West India in the Indo-Gangetic plain with rainfall
of 100-150cm
7. The littoral forests have pneumatophores or breathing roots
because
(a) they can resist the tidal waves
(b) to get oxygen
(c) to survive in marshes and submerged areas
(d) for scenic beauty
8. The characteristic feature of the forest found in Nilgiri hills is
(a) they are dense
(b) the forests are economically important
(c) they occur in the transition zone of mixed forest and
coniferous forest
(d) they have broad leaves
9. The trees in the Tropical desert forest have stunted growth
because

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 (a) they do not get enough rainfall
(b) they have long thorns
(c) they are not economically important
(d) because of lack of nutrients and dehydration in the desert
10. The trees in the given picture provide wood pulp for paper
industry. Identify the type of trees

(a) Deciduous (b) Coniferous

(c) Khair (d) Myrobalan

Answers
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (a) 6. (a) 7. (c)
8. (c) 9. (d) 10. (b)

B. Answer the following questions

1. What do you mean by the term ‘Natural Vegetation’?
Ans. Natural vegetation are plants that have not been grown by humans.
2. State the relation between climate and natural vegetation of a
place.
Ans. Natural vegetation of a place depends on soil, climate, relief and
most important rainfall. According to the distribution of rainfall
it varies from place to place, heavier the rainfall, denser is the
growth of plants.
3. How important are trees to man?
Ans. Forests are important to man. They provide several direct and
indirect benefits to mankind – they help in maintaining ecological
balance, reduce pollution, purify air, source of timber, fruits,
flowers, fuel, herbs, home for a wide variety of animals, birds,

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 insects and source of employment to many people
4.
What is the percentage of forest cover on land in India?
Ans. Nearly 22 per cent.
5.
Why is there shrinkage of forest cover in India? What precautions
can be taken to reduce this shrinkage?
Ans. Shrinkage due to :
(a) Population pressure
(b) Practice of shifting cultivation
(c) Overgrazing of pasture
(d) Deforestation
(e) Urbanisation and industrialisation
(f) Construction of hydroelectric projects
(g) Human activities like mining, quarrying, etc.
Precautions that could be taken include:
(a) Afforestation
(b) Shifting cultivation to be banned
(c) Scientific methods to be adopted and stop forest fires
(d) Undertaking silviculture operations on a wide scale
(e) Establishing national parks and sanctuaries to protect wildlife
6.
Name a few important forest products.
Ans. The important forest products are timber, fruits, flowers, fuel,
herbs, home for a wide variety of animals, birds and insects.
7.
What are the factors that influence the natural vegetation of a
place?
Ans. Natural vegetation of a place depends on soil, climate, relief and
most important rainfall. According to the distribution of rainfall
it varies from place to place, heavier the rainfall, denser is the
growth of plants.
8. What are the characteristics of tropical evergreen forest? Name
some important trees of these forests.
Ans. Tropical Evergreen Forests –
(a) Characterised by climber and epiphytes
(b) Have dense undergrowth
(c) Lack of transport facility

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 (d) Found in the areas of heavy rainfall important trees : Rosewood , Shisham, Gurajan
9. Name the economically most important vegetation belt of India. Justify your answer.
Ans. Tropical deciduous/ deciduous monsoon forests provide wood/timber for commercial purposes which is hard
and durable. Theseforests are not as dense as tropical evergreen forests. Forests are accessible, trees grow in
pure stand.
10. Mention one area where deciduous monsoon forests are found. Give one reason stating why they are found
there.
Ans. (a) Area – in the belt running along the Western Ghats, surroundingthe belt of Evergreen Forests,
both on eastern and westernslopes. Reason : These forests occur in the areas of average rainfall
between 156 to 200 cms.
(b) The second area runs along the Shivalik range and Chotanagpurplateau. Reason – these areas receive rainfall
between 150–200 cm, temperature between 24°– 27°C.
11. Name the important trees of monsoon forests. Give one use of each.
Ans. Important trees are teak, sal, sandalwood, semul, myrobalan, eucalyptus.
Uses –
(a) Teak for making furniture/construction of houses (doors,windows).
(b) Sal – railway sleepers and house building.
(c) Sandalwood – handicrafts, oil in perfumes and cosmetics.
(d) Semul – matchboxes, toys and packing cases.
(e) Myrobalan – fruit used for tanning leather and dyeing purpose
(f) Eucalyptus – oil for medicinal purpose and wood for paperindustry.
12. What are the main features of the mountain forests? In whichparts of India are these forests found?
Ans. (a) Mountain forests – features – they consist of mixed deciduousand coniferous forests.
(b) They occur in the transition zone of mixed forest andconiferous forests.
(c) Mixed vegetation can be seen as according to height,

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 temperature and rainfall changes.
They are found in the temperate zone of the Himalayas, in
the South they are found in Nilgiris and Annamalai hills at an
elevation from 1000 m to 1500 m.
13. Under what climatic conditions do the desert and semi-desert
vegetation grow?
Ans. Climate conditions: – Temperature - 25° – 27°C
Rainfall less than 25 cm
14. What are the characteristics of the Mangrove forests?
Ans. Characteristics –
(a) These forests are common in areas along the coasts and the
mouth of the rivers which are affected by tides.
(b) It can survive both in fresh and saltwater.
(c) Characterised by breathing roots or pneumatophore which act as
respiratory organs.
(d) Its stilt like roots remain submerged under water but can be seen
at low tide, this tangled mass of root helps the plant to survive
in the shifting mud of coastal regions.
(e) These forests are very dense.
15. By what other names do you associate Mangrove forests?
Ans. Other names are Tidal / Littoral / Sundarbans.
16. What do you mean by the terms ‘afforestation’ and ‘deforestation’?
Ans. Afforestation – to increase the area under forests, more and more
trees are planted.
Deforestation – to plant two small seedlings in place of a felled
tree/where trees have been cut.
17. Give two characteristic features of Tropical Evergreen forest that
make it difficult to exploit.
Ans. (a) Because they are dense hence impenetrable.
(b) Transport is not possible.
(c) Trees do not grow in pure stand.
18. Why are the Deciduous Monsoon forests found on the eastern
part of South India?

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 Ans. These areas experience rainfall of 150 cm – 200 cm.
19. Name two states in India where thorn and scrub forests are found
along with two examples of trees found here.
Ans. Two states – Rajasthan, W. Haryana, W. Punjab, Gujarat, parts
of MP, trees – khair, babul and kikar. (any two)
20. Name the type of vegetation found in saline environment under
tidal influence and name the most important tree associated with
the above type of vegetation.
Ans. Tidal forests/sundari tree, gorjan and hintal.
21. What characteristics of Sundari tree make it suitable for boat
building?
Ans. Sundari – wood is hard, strong and durable.
22. Why are forests grown in and around steel cities?
Ans. To reduce pollution and also provide basic raw material.
23. Name two states where Deodar trees are grown. How is this
wood useful?
Ans. Deodar is grown in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir; the wood
is used for house construction and other purposes.
24. Name the type of vegetation found along the coastal strip of the
Ganga delta.
Ans. Tidal/Mangrove
25. State the total forest cover of the total geographic area of India.
Ans. Around 22 per cent.
26. Give geographical reasons –
(a) Tropical Evergreen forests are called Evergreen.
(b) Tropical Evergreen forests are called rainforests.
(c) The tidal forests occur in and around deltas.
Ans. (a) As they do not shed their leaves at the same time, they remain
evergreen.
(b) They are found in areas of heavy rainfall.
(c) These mangrove forests are found prone to tidal influence.
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 Their roots remain submerged in water but can be seen at
low tide and are characterised by breathing roots.
27. Answer in one word sentence –
(a) The tidal forests that occur in and around the deltas.
(b) Its fruit is used for tanning leather and for dyeing purposes.
(c) These forests shed their leaves for 6– 8 weeks during spring.
Ans. (a) deltas
(b) Khair tree
(c) Deciduous monsoon forests
28. Differentiate between social forestry and agro forestry.

Ans. Social forestry Agro forestry

◆ To create awareness regarding ◆ It is an integrated approach

conservation of forests. using interactive benefits.

◆ To meet the needs of rural ◆ It is more profitable usage
people regarding fuel and of land.
timber.

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