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id: "67b7d7c0444073b65d6df5e8"
title: "Natural Vegetation and Wildlife"
board: "CBSE"
curriculum: "CBSE"
class: "Class 9"
subject: "Social Science"
book: "Contemporary India"
chapter: "Natural Vegetation and Wildlife"
chapter_slug: "natural-vegetation-and-wildlife"
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---

# Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries of the world, showcasing a vast variety of bioforms. With about 47,000 plant species, it ranks tenth globally and fourth in Asia regarding plant diversity.

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## Knowledge Snapshot

| Field | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| Class | Class 9 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Contemporary India |
| Chapter | Natural Vegetation and Wildlife |
| Pages | 39-47 |

---

## Chapter Summary

### Short Summary
This chapter discusses the diverse natural vegetation and wildlife found in India, highlighting its rich biodiversity.

### Detailed Summary
Natural vegetation is described as a plant community that grows naturally without human intervention and remains undisturbed, termed virgin vegetation. India hosts approximately 15,000 flowering plants, contributing to 6 percent of the world's total. Additionally, the country is home to around 90,000 species of animals, including a variety of fish. The chapter categorizes vegetation into five major types: Tropical Evergreen Forests, Tropical Deciduous Forests, Thorn Forests and Scrubs, Montane Forests, and Mangrove Forests. Indigenous species are referred to as endemic, while exotic plants are those introduced from outside India. Flora denotes the plant species of a region, while fauna represents animal species.

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## Topic-Wise Explanation

### NATURAL VEGETATION
Natural vegetation refers to plant communities that grow without human aid and remain undisturbed.

### Tropical Evergreen Forests
These forests are characterized by dense tree growth and a high level of species diversity, typically found in regions with high rainfall.

### Tropical Deciduous Forests
Forests in this category shed their leaves seasonally and are found in regions with moderate rainfall.

### Thorn Forests and Scrubs
These are found in arid and semi-arid regions, characterized by thorny bushes and trees adapted to dry conditions.

### Montane Forests
These forests exist at high altitudes and have cooler climates, supporting a unique set of flora and fauna.

### Mangrove Forests
Located along coastal regions, these forests are rich in biodiversity and are crucial for maintaining coastal ecosystems.

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## Core Ideas

| Idea | Explanation |
| :--- | :--- |
| Biodiversity | India has a vast array of plant and animal species contributing to its rich biodiversity. |

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## Key Concepts

| Concept | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- |
| Flora | The plant species of a particular region. |
| Fauna | The animal species of a particular region. |

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## Important Points for Revision

* India is a mega biodiversity country with around 47,000 plant species.
* Approximately 15,000 of these are flowering plants.
* India's fauna includes about 90,000 species of animals.
* Natural vegetation exists in various categories, including evergreen and deciduous forests.
* Virgin vegetation is termed as such as it has grown without human interference.
* Indigenous species are endemic to India, whereas exotic species are those introduced from other regions.
* The terms flora and fauna pertain to plant and animal species, respectively.

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## Practice Questions

### Short Answer Questions
1. What is natural vegetation?
2. How many plant species are found in India?
3. What defines endemic species?
4. Name the five major types of vegetation in India.
5. How does flora differ from fauna?

### Long Answer Questions
1. Discuss the importance of natural vegetation in maintaining ecological balance.
2. Explain the characteristics of tropical evergreen forests and their geographic distribution.
3. Compare and contrast montane forests and mangrove forests in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

---

## Source Attribution

| Field | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| Source | Edzy |
| Reference Type | examSubjectBookChapter |
| Reference ID | 67b7d7c0444073b65d6df5e8 |
| Canonical URL | https://www.edzy.ai/cbse-class-9-social-science-contemporary-india-natural-vegetation-and-wildlife |
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