Sponsor Area

Natural Vegetation

Question
CBSEENGE11011328

“In their altitudinal range, the Himalayas present a succession of vegetation region from the tropical to the Alpine.” Substantiate this statement.

Or

Why does Himalayan vegetation vary from one place to another? Describe four types of Himalayan vegetation.

Solution
It is true to say that vegetation in the Himalayas varies from the equatorial to Tundra type of vegetation. The vegetation types of any region are closely related to its natural environmental conditions. They adapt themselves according to a particular environment available there. The Himalayas are the highest and loftiest mountains of the world. The amazing heights and the altitude of 8,000 metres of the Himalayas make it a place of many types of vegetation.

Fig. 5.3

The vegetation type in the Himalayas varies according to the height from the sea level.

1. Tropical Deciduous : These occur upto 1000 m or in the foothill regions of the Siwalik ranges.

2. Temperate Evergreen : These occur upto 2000 metres height.

3. Broad-leafed Evergreen : Upto 3000 metres.

4. Coniferous : Upto 3500 metres.

5. Alpine, meadows, with short grasses, shrubs and lowering plants and rhododendrons are found beyond 3,500 m to snowline.

The distribution pattern is not purely uniform, however, it varies to a great extent in eastern and western zones. 88°E longitude is the line of demarcation between the eastern Himalayas and the western Himalayas.

Height in metres

Vegetation Type

Species

0–1000

Tropical moist deciduous

Teak,sal and bamboo.

1000–2000

Temperate evergreen

Oak, chestnut, ash.

2000–3000

Mixed evergreen

Laurels, deodar, oak, pine, birch.

3000–3500

Coniferous

Spruce, birch, junipers and silverfir.

3500–and above

Alpine

Rhododendrons and short grasses.