Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

• The northern part of Brazil is covered by dense forests.
• The images in figure 5.1 show plants and trees from Brazil, which are similar to Indian species.
• Rainfall, flora and fauna of Brazil are shown in a cross profile along with physiography in figure 5.2.
• In Brazil, rainfall varies due to physiography.
• In most parts of the equatorial region, it rains throughout the year.
• As one moves away from the equator, the number of rainy days as well as amount of rainfall reduces.
• This affects the life cycle of the vegetation too.
• Evergreen forests are found in the area where it rains throughout the year.
• In regions which receive rainfall only during certain seasons, the density of the vegetation reduces.
• Instead of forests, various types of grasses, short shrubs, thorny vegetation, etc are found.
• Brazil has the largest number of vegetation species in the world.
• This includes evergreen vegetation, semi-evergreen, arid, etc.
• One finds trees like Pau Brasil, rubber, mahogany, rosewood and a variety of orchids in Brazil.
• Because of the evergreen rainforests in Brazil, there is a large amount of oxygen that is released in the environment.
• This helps to reduce carbon dioxide levels.
• These rainforests are rightly called the ‘lungs of the world’.
• Deciduous forests are found in regions receiving rainfall between 1000 mm to 2000 mm in India.
• In dry seasons, trees shed their leaves so that water is not lost due to evaporation.
• For e.g., teak, bamboo, banyan, peepal, etc are the trees found in these forests.
• Regions that receive less than 500 mm of rainfall and experience dry summers for a long period in India , thorny and shrub-type vegetation is found.
• The leaves are small in size for e.g., catechu, acacia, khejadi, and varieties of cactus like aloe vera and agave.
• Wild ass and camels are found in arid lands.
• Rivers, estuaries and coastal areas are homes of many turtles, crocodiles and gavials (gharial).
• Many species of wildlife are on the verge of extinction from India because of poaching, pollution and rapidly occurring deforestation.
• Tiger is the national animal of India.
• In India, agriculture practice like the ‘Roca’ is found in parts of the country.
• Elephants are found in hot and humid forests.
• Forest types in Brazil include broad-leaved evergreen trees, semi-arid thorny vegetation, savannah, grasslands, and tropical semi-deciduous mixed type of vegetation.
• In India, the forest types include evergreen forests, deciduous forests, coastal forests, and thorny and bush-type vegetation.
• India is the only country in the world where both tigers and lions are found.
• Like India, there is need of conservation of forests in Brazil too.
• Snow leopards and yaks are found in the snow-capped regions of Himalayas.
• One-horned rhinoceroses are found in swampy and marshy lands of Assam.
• Wildlife in Brazil includes anaconda, tamairin, macaw, lion, and many species of birds and insects.
• Indian Bisons, deer, antelopes and monkeys are found in the Peninsular region.
• The Government of India has set up number of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for the protection of wildlife and forests in India.
• The number of tigers is decreasing day by day.
• Flora in India includes deodar, anjan, orchid, banyan, and many species of trees and plants.
• The forests and wetlands are the shelters of variety of birds like Peacocks, Indian bustard, Kingfishers, pheasants, ducks, parakeets, cranes and pigeons.
• Environmental issues faced by Brazil and India include deforestation, degradation of forest, and loss of wildlife.