Mention the major vegetation types of the world. Describe their distribution with characteristics.

The major vegetation types of the world are grouped as forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra.

(i)In areas of heavy rainfall, huge trees may thrive. The forests are thus associated with areas having abundant water supply. As the amount of moisture decreases the size of trees and their density reduces.

(ii)In the regions of moderate rainfall short stunted trees and grasses grow forming the grasslands of the world.

(iii)In dry areas of low rainfall, thorny shrubs and scrubs grow. In such areas plants have deep roots and leaves have thorny and waxy surface to reduce loss of moisture by transpiration.

(iv)Tundra vegetation of cold Polar Regions comprise of mosses and lichens.