Chapter-6: Natural vegetation and wildlife

These NCERT Class 7 Geography Chapter 6 notes explain the meaning and importance of natural vegetation and wildlife. The chapter helps students understand how forests and animals form an important part of the Earth’s ecosystem and support human life.

Natural Vegetation and Wildlife describes different factors affecting vegetation such as climate, relief and soil, and explains major types of forests found in India, including tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, thorn, mountain and mangrove forests.

This chapter also highlights India’s rich biodiversity, the importance of forests and wildlife, and the need for their conservation.

1. Introduction

• Natural vegetation refers to plants that grow naturally without human help.
• Wildlife includes animals, birds, reptiles and insects living in natural habitats.
• Forests act like the lungs of the Earth by supplying oxygen.
• Vegetation helps in controlling climate and maintaining balance.
• Forests provide shelter and food to wildlife.

2. Factors affecting natural vegetation

• Natural vegetation depends mainly on climate conditions.
• Temperature decides the type of plants that can grow.
• Rainfall affects density and height of vegetation.
• Relief like mountains, plains and plateaus influences vegetation.
• Soil fertility and moisture play an important role in plant growth.

3. Tropical evergreen forests

• These forests grow in hot and wet climates.
• They receive heavy rainfall of more than 200 cm.
• Trees remain green throughout the year.
• Forests are very dense with tall hardwood trees.
• Found in Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and North-Eastern states.
• Important trees include ebony, mahogany and rosewood.

4. Tropical deciduous forests

• These forests grow in areas with moderate rainfall between 100–200 cm.
• Trees shed their leaves during the dry season.
• They are also called monsoon forests.
• This is the most widespread vegetation in India.
• Found in Central India and eastern slopes of Western Ghats.
• Important trees include teak, sal, neem and peepal.

5. Thorn forests and shrubs

• These forests grow in hot and dry climates.
• Rainfall in these regions is less than 70 cm.
• Trees have long roots to search for water.
• Leaves are small and thorny to reduce water loss.
• Found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Punjab and Haryana.
• Important trees include babool, kikar and date palm.

6. Mountain vegetation

• Mountain vegetation changes with height or altitude.
• Lower slopes have tropical deciduous forests.
• Middle slopes have coniferous forests.
• Higher slopes support alpine vegetation.
• Mainly found in the Himalayas.
• Important trees include pine, deodar and fir.

7. Mangrove forests

• Mangrove forests grow in coastal areas and river deltas.
• They grow in salty water.
• Trees have roots that come out of the soil to breathe.
• These forests protect coastal areas from erosion.
• Found in the Sundarbans of West Bengal.
• Sundari tree is the most important species here.

8. Wildlife

• Wildlife includes animals, birds, reptiles and insects.
• India is rich in wildlife due to diverse climate and landforms.
• Important animals include elephant, tiger, lion and rhinoceros.
• Forests provide food and shelter to wildlife.
• India has high biodiversity compared to many countries.

9. Importance of forests and wildlife

• Forests maintain ecological balance.
• They help prevent soil erosion.
• Forests control floods and regulate climate.
• Wildlife supports food chains and ecosystems.
• Forests provide livelihood to forest-dependent communities.

10. Threats to forests and wildlife

• Deforestation reduces forest cover.
• Hunting and poaching threaten wildlife species.
• Forest fires destroy vegetation and animals.
• Urbanisation leads to habitat loss.
• These threats cause loss of biodiversity and climate change.

11. Conservation of forests and wildlife

• Conservation is necessary because forests are limited.
• Many wildlife species are becoming extinct.
• National parks protect natural habitats.
• Wildlife sanctuaries provide safe areas for animals.
• Biosphere reserves, afforestation and social forestry help conservation.
• Examples include Jim Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park and Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve.

12. Important keywords

• Natural vegetation grows without human help.
• Wildlife includes animals and birds living naturally.
• Tropical evergreen and tropical deciduous forests depend on rainfall.
• Thorn forests, mangroves and coniferous trees grow in specific regions.
• Biodiversity refers to variety of life forms.
• Conservation means protection of forests and wildlife.

Understanding NCERT Class 7 Geography Chapter 6 is important to learn how forests and wildlife maintain ecological balance and support life on Earth. The chapter clearly explains the distribution of vegetation, wildlife diversity and threats caused by human activities.

The ideas discussed in Natural Vegetation and Wildlife build awareness about environmental protection and conservation and are highly useful for school examinations and foundation-level preparation.

Continue reading NCERT Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 – Human Environment: Settlement, Transport and Communication to understand how human activities shape settlements and connectivity.

FAQs

Q1. What is natural vegetation?
Natural vegetation refers to plants that grow naturally without human intervention.

Q2. Which type of forest is most widespread in India?
Tropical deciduous forests are the most widespread forests in India.

Q3. What are mangrove forests?
Mangrove forests grow in coastal areas and river deltas in saline water.

Q4. Why is wildlife conservation important?
Wildlife conservation is important to protect biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

Q5. Why is this chapter important for exams?
It explains vegetation types, wildlife and conservation, making it important for school exams and foundation-level preparation.