Chapparal
Location : Found in Mediterranean area (hence called Mediter-
ranean scrub forest), Pacific coast of North America, Chile, South
Africa and South Australia.
Physical characteristics : It is a broad-leaved evergreen shrub
forest of hard and thick-leaved small trees and shrubs which usually
contain resin but are resistant to fires. The area has frequent bush fires
during ‘dry’ summer. Rainfall is during winter only. Both plants and
animals are adapted to long droughts.
Flora : The common plants of chapparal are $UFWRVWDSK\ORV sage,
&DUQLWKXV$GHQRVWHPPD, oak and (XFDO\SWXV
Fauna : Animals include rabbits, rats, chipmunks, deer, snakes, lizards,
birds, tiger, etc.Tropical Deciduous Forest
Location : Occur in both plains and low hilly areas of North as well
as South.
Physical Characteristics : Climate is warm with alternate wet
and dry periods. The forests are lush green with dense foliage and
herbaceous layer during the rainy season. During dry seasons, leaf fall
occurs and the herbaceous layer dries up. Forest fires can occur. Many
trees possess thick fire resistant bark. Soil is rich in nutrients due to
seasonal leaf fall and slow humification.
Flora : Vegetation includes broad-leaved trees which shed their
leaves during dry season, HJ, %XWHD, %RPED[, sal (6KRUHD), teak
(7HFWRQD) and sandal (6DQWDOXP).
Fauna : Animal population is similar to that of evergreen tropical
Desert Biome forests.
Location : It is present in rain shadow (area beyond high mountains
which cut off clouds, HJ, Tibet), lack of cloud intercepting mountains
(HJ, Thar) or lying away from cloud seeding regions. (J, Sahara
(Africa), Gobi, Arabian and Thar of Asia. Rajasthan lies in the Thar
desert.
Physical characteristics : Desert can be cold (HJ, Tibet, Gobi) or
hot (HJ, Thar, Sahara). In true deserts, rainfall is less. Ground is sandy
or rocky. Vegetation is sparse.
Flora : It consists of three types of plants. (i) Ephemerals or short
lived annual herbs which grow during period when sufficient moisture
is available. (ii) Cacti and other succulent xerophytes (HJ(XSKRUELD
species) which store water. (iii) Deep rooted shrubs and small trees
which are able to obtain water from the water table, e.g., 3URVRSLV
6DOYRGRUD7DPDUL[. Tall succulents, mostly cacti, are abundant in deserts.
Fauna : Common animals are kangaroo/desert rat, hare, fox, jackal,
cat, rattle snake, coral snake, lizards. Camel is adapted to desert
conditions as it can protect its eyes and nostrils from dust, has
insulated spreading feet and is capable of tolerating dehydration upto
40% with highly reduced urine output.Grassland
Location : Occurs in U.S.A, Canada, South America.
Physical characteristics : Summer is hot and winter is cold. Root
system is extensive. Grazing and fire help to maintain grassland and
prevent woody species to invade the area.
Flora : Grasses are dominant with non-graminaceous herbs, mostly
leguminous (maintain nitrogen fertility of soil), scattered bushes and
occasional tree.
Fauna : Consists of deer, elk, bison, wolf, prairie dog, bear, bighorn sheep,
rabbit, mice, etc.Tropical Savannah
Location : Occurs in North Australia, India, Central and Southern
Africa including East - Central S. Africa.
Physical characteristics : Indian savannahs are largely
anthropogenic being derived from tropical forests and maintained
by grazing as well as fire. Availability of soil moisture determines
composition and productivity.
Flora : Common trees and shrubs of Indian savannahs are $FDFLD
%XWHD3URVRSLV=L]LSKXV and &DSSDULV. Many of them perform C 4
photosynthesis that is helpful in maintaining high productivity even
under conditions of low soil moisture.
Fauna : Hoofed herbivores are quite common. Animals include
antelope, zebra, giraffe, goat, rhinoceros, elephant, fox, wolf, lion,
tiger, kangaroo,etc.Altitudinal Biome
Location : Occurs near the top of very high mountains having permanent
snow, HJ, Himalayas. It is treeless region and lies above the timber-
line.
Physical characteristics : Slopy, well drained with little peat or bog,
herbaceous flowering plants and dwarfed trees.
Flora : Trees of lower region become tiny shrubs in this area. Other
vegetation includes lichens, mosses, grasses, herbs and small shrubs
like $UWHPLVLD and$QHPRQH.
Fauna : Common animals include mountain goat, yak, wolf, snow
leopard, snow bear, rabbit, willlow grouse and some migratory birds.ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
- Environmental or ecological factors are the constituents of environment which directly or indirectly influence the form and
functioning of organisms in any specific way.
Environmental factors
Living components of an environment constitute biotic factor,
which interact with abiotic factors of the environment.Biotic factors
These factors are non-living factors, substances and conditions of the envi-
ronment which influence survival, form function, behaviour and reproduction
of organisms. Major abiotic factors include temperature, water, light and soil.Abiotic factors