Natural Vegetation of Brazil
A pot on the balcony stays green if watered daily and dries if water is short. Natural vegetation is the same: where rain is more there is dense forest, where less there are grasses and shrubs.
Natural vegetation is the trees, shrubs and grass that grow on their own in nature without human help. Its type is decided mainly by rainfall and temperature.
Key idea 1 : Vegetation by rainfall — In Brazil rainfall changes with relief. In most of the equatorial region it rains throughout the year. Away from the equator the number of rainy days and the amount of rain decrease, which affects the life cycle of vegetation. Where it rains all year there are evergreen forests. Where rain falls only in certain seasons, the density of trees decreases and instead of forests various grasses, small shrubs and thorny plants are found.
Key idea 2 : The Amazon rainforest — Brazil has the largest number of plant species in the world. Evergreen, semi-evergreen and arid types of vegetation are found here. Pau Brasil, rubber, mahogany and rosewood are famous trees, and many kinds of orchids are found. Rainforests release a large amount of oxygen into the air and help reduce carbon dioxide; hence the textbook calls them the ‘lungs of the world’.
Key idea 3 : Different forest types — From the textbook figure, vegetation changes as we go from north to south: tropical forests on the Guyana Highlands, equatorial forests in the Amazon basin, grassland and deciduous forests in the Parana basin, grassland on the Brazilian Highlands and temperate forests towards the south. That is, when rain and temperature change, vegetation changes.
- Easy : With rain all year, which forests? — Evergreen.
- Medium : A famous tree of Brazil? — Mahogany / rubber.
- Exam-type : What is found where rain is less? — Grass, shrubs, thorny plants.
In the figure: Main forest types of Brazil.
More rain = dense forest.
All of Brazil is not covered with dense forest; where rain is less there are grass and shrubs.
Memory clue: Rain → vegetation. Memory clue: "More water, more trees".
Spot the difference
| Rainfall | Vegetation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| High all year | Evergreen forests | Amazon valley |
| Seasonal | Deciduous forests, grass | Parana basin |
| Low | Shrubs, thorny plants | Drought Quadrilateral |
Practice questions
- 1What is natural vegetation?
- 2How does rainfall affect vegetation in Brazil?
- 3Write the features of the Amazon rainforest.
- 4Write the names of famous trees of Brazil.
- 5Why are rainforests called the ‘lungs of the world’?
- 6Why is biodiversity high in Brazil?
- 7What would be the vegetation in the Drought Quadrilateral?
- 8How does Brazil’s vegetation change from north to south?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Trees, shrubs and grass growing on their own in nature.
- 2More rain = dense forest; less rain = grass, shrubs.
- 3Dense evergreen, highest biodiversity.
- 4Pau Brasil, rubber, mahogany, rosewood.
- 5As per the book they release oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide.
- 6Equatorial location, rain all year, varied regions.
- 7Shrubs and thorny plants.
- 8Tropical → equatorial → deciduous/grass → temperate.
Natural Vegetation of India
While going from the city to a hill we notice trees changing: deciduous trees below, conifers above. In India too vegetation changes with region.
Five main types of natural vegetation of India: evergreen, deciduous, thorny shrubs, Himalayan and coastal (mangrove) forests. They are classified on the basis of the amount of rainfall.
Key idea 1 : Evergreen and deciduous forests — Where average rainfall is more than 2,000 mm and there is abundant sunlight there are evergreen forests; the trees are tall, broad-leaved and green all year. In regions with 1,000 to 2,000 mm of rain there are deciduous forests; in the dry season the trees shed leaves so that water is not lost by evaporation. Teak, bamboo, banyan and peepal are examples.
Key idea 2 : Thorny shrubs and coastal forests — Where rainfall is less than 500 mm and the dry summer is long, thorny and shrub-type vegetation is found and leaves are small; e.g. khair, babul, khejri, and cacti like aloe vera and agave. In swampy areas with saline soil, estuaries and coastal areas mangrove forests with roots in water are found; Sundarbans in India is an example. The wood of these trees is oily, light and durable.
Key idea 3 : Himalayan forests — In the Himalayas three types of forests are found according to altitude. At the highest altitude seasonally flowering trees are found. At medium altitude there are coniferous trees like pine, deodar and fir. At the foothills there are mixed forests with both coniferous and deciduous trees; the proportion of sal trees is higher here.
- Easy : A tree that sheds leaves in the dry season? — Teak.
- Medium : Where are mangroves found? — Saline swamps and estuaries; Sundarbans.
- Exam-type : Trees at medium altitude in the Himalayas? — Pine, deodar, fir.
In the figure: Forest types according to rainfall.
2000+ evergreen, 1000–2000 deciduous, below 500 thorny.
Deciduous trees are not bare all year; they shed leaves only in the dry season.
Memory clue: Rain: 2000+ evergreen; 1000–2000 deciduous; below 500 thorny. Memory clue: "2000 green, 1000 shed, 500 thorn".
Spot the difference
| Forest type | Rainfall | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Evergreen | More than 2,000 mm | Tall broad-leaved trees |
| Deciduous | 1,000 to 2,000 mm | Teak, bamboo, banyan |
| Thorny shrubs | Less than 500 mm | Babul, khejri, cactus |
Practice questions
- 1State the types of forests in India.
- 2State the difference between evergreen and deciduous forests.
- 3Why do deciduous trees shed leaves in the dry season?
- 4Write the features of thorny shrubs.
- 5Write about mangrove forests.
- 6How do Himalayan forests change with altitude?
- 7What vegetation will be found in Rajasthan and why?
- 8Show the forest types by colouring in a map of India.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Evergreen, deciduous, thorny shrubs, Himalayan, coastal.
- 2Evergreen: 2,000+ mm, green all year; deciduous: 1,000–2,000, shed leaves in dry season.
- 3To avoid water loss by evaporation.
- 4Small leaves, thorns, low rain, dry climate.
- 5In saline swamps and estuaries; wood oily, light, durable.
- 6Flowering trees on top; conifers at medium height; mixed at foothills.
- 7Thorny shrubs; because rain is below 500 mm.
- 8Student colours the map.
Wildlife of Brazil and India
In a zoo we see many animals in one place, but in the wild each animal lives only where it suits it: camel in desert, snow leopard in snow, rhino in marsh.
Wildlife means animals, birds, insects and aquatic life living in forests or natural habitats. The more kinds of habitats in a region, the greater the diversity.
Key idea 1 : Wildlife of Brazil — Brazil has greater diversity of wildlife than any other country in the world. Huge anacondas are found in the swamps of the Pantanal. Crocodilians, alligators, monkeys, pumas and other wild animals are found here. In the sea swordfish are found, while pink dolphins and piranhas are found in rivers. Condors, parrots, macaws and flamingos are major birds and there are millions of insect species.
Key idea 2 : Wildlife of India — India too is a mega-diverse country in terms of wildlife. Elephants are found in hot and humid forests, one-horned rhinos in swampy lands of Assam, wild ass and camels in arid areas, snow leopards and yaks in the Himalayas, and Indian bison, deer, antelopes and monkeys in the Peninsula. Rivers, estuaries and coastal areas have turtles, crocodiles and gharials, while forests and wetlands shelter birds like peacocks, Great Indian Bustard, kingfishers, ducks, parakeets, cranes and pigeons.
Key idea 3 : Habitat and geographical conditions — Animals live only where the climate, vegetation and water suit them. The dense Amazon rainforest shelters monkeys and birds; the Pantanal wetland shelters the anaconda; in India thick-furred animals live in snowy areas and animals that survive on little water live in the desert. So geographical conditions decide the distribution of wildlife.
- Easy : Where is the one-horned rhino? — Swampy lands of Assam.
- Medium : Which animal in the Pantanal? — Anaconda.
- Exam-type : Snow leopard in which region? — Snowy parts of the Himalayas.
In the figure: Wildlife according to habitat.
India is the only country in the world where both tigers and lions are found in the wild; lions only in the Gir region of Gujarat while tigers across the country (as per several sources; check with the book).
As the place, so the animals.
All animals cannot live everywhere; each needs a specific habitat.
Memory clue: Habitat = home of the animal. Memory clue: "As the home, so the animal".
Spot the difference
| Habitat | India | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Swamp / wetland | One-horned rhino, crocodile | Anaconda (Pantanal) |
| Forest | Elephant, tiger, lion (Gir) | Monkeys, puma, macaw |
| River | Gangetic dolphin, gharial | Pink dolphin, piranha |
Practice questions
- 1Describe the wildlife of Brazil.
- 2Describe the wildlife of India.
- 3Where are both tigers and lions found in India?
- 4Explain the relation between geographical conditions and wildlife.
- 5Which animals are found in the Pantanal?
- 6Compare river animals of both countries.
- 7State India’s national animal and its habitats.
- 8Show the habitats of tigers and rhinos on a map.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Greatest diversity: anaconda, piranha, pink dolphin, monkeys, condor, macaw.
- 2Elephant, rhino, snow leopard, crocodile, peacock; varied habitats.
- 3Gir in Gujarat (lions); tigers in many states.
- 4By climate and vegetation animals live only in specific places.
- 5Anaconda, crocodilians, many water birds.
- 6India: Gangetic dolphin, gharial; Brazil: pink dolphin, piranha.
- 7Tiger; forests, Sundarbans, Himalayan foothills.
- 8Student shows on the map.
Threats and Conservation
If the house is not kept clean, diseases increase. Likewise if forests are cut and animals poached, nature’s balance is disturbed; conservation means caring to keep that balance.
Conservation means efforts to preserve forests, wildlife and biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of all kinds of living things in a region.
Key idea 1 : Threats in Brazil — In Brazil illegal smuggling of wild animals, slash-and-burn farming called ‘roca’, deforestation and pollution are degrading the environment. Many endemic species (found only there) are on the verge of extinction. As per the textbook a 2016 survey found about 5,831 sq km of forest area in Brazil degraded.
Key idea 2 : Threats and measures in India — Because of poaching, pollution and rapid deforestation many species in India too are on the verge of extinction. The government has set up national parks, sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries and biosphere reserves to protect forests and wildlife. The book says that though the tiger is India’s national animal, their number and the condition of elephants are worrying. Bengal tiger, Great Indian Bustard, Olive Ridley turtle, one-horned rhino and Nilgiri tahr are some examples.
Key idea 3 : Similarities and differences — Both countries have evergreen, deciduous and thorny forests. Equatorial forests cover a larger area in Brazil because the equator passes through it and rain falls all year. Himalayan and coastal (mangrove) forests are in India and are not found as much in Brazil. Diversity of plants is higher in Brazil. Both countries face threats of deforestation and poaching and both need conservation.
- Easy : What is slash-and-burn? — Burning trees to clear land (roca).
- Medium : Why biosphere reserve? — To preserve wildlife and biodiversity.
- Exam-type : Which threats in both countries? — Deforestation, poaching.
In the figure: Chain from threats to conservation.
The book gives cheetahs as an example of animals on the verge of extinction in India; in fact India’s cheetah was declared extinct in 1952 and in 2022 reintroduction of cheetahs brought from Namibia began in Kuno National Park (as per several sources; check with the book).
Cutting, poaching, loss; then parks.
Cutting forests is not only loss of trees; animal habitats and biodiversity are lost.
Memory clue: Threats: deforestation, poaching, pollution; remedy: parks, sanctuaries, reserves. Memory clue: "Don’t cut, don’t kill, protect".
Spot the difference
| Point | India | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Special forests | Himalayan, mangrove | Amazon rainforest |
| Main threats | Poaching, deforestation | Roca farming, smuggling, deforestation |
| Conservation | Parks, sanctuaries, reserves | Conservation needed |
Practice questions
- 1Why is the environment degrading in Brazil?
- 2What are the threats to wildlife in India?
- 3What measures has the Government of India taken for wildlife conservation?
- 4What is biodiversity?
- 5What is roca farming and why is it harmful?
- 6Compare the forests of India and Brazil.
- 7Write the names of Indian animals on the verge of extinction.
- 8What will you do for wildlife conservation?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Smuggling, roca farming, deforestation, pollution.
- 2Poaching, pollution, deforestation.
- 3National parks, sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, biosphere reserves.
- 4Variety of all living things in a region.
- 5Burning trees to clear land; forest and habitat destroyed.
- 6India: Himalayan and mangrove; Brazil: vast rainforest; both have evergreen, deciduous, thorny.
- 7Bengal tiger, Great Indian Bustard, rhino, Olive Ridley turtle, Nilgiri tahr.
- 8Plant trees, avoid plastic, awareness — student writes own.