NATURAL VEGETATION
All around us, we see various types of plants and vegetation growing naturally. These are seen in forests, grasslands, scrubs, and different types of trees and herbs. They are important for us for shelter, their products, and aesthetic beauty.
Distribution of Natural Vegetation
The type of vegetation depends mainly on temperature and moisture. Accordingly, vegetation is grouped into four major types. These are forests, grasslands, scrubs, and tundra vegetation.
Forests
Present in areas that have heavy rainfall.
Areas that have an abundant water supply. The amount of moisture determines the size of the trees. The size of trees is short in areas with less moisture. Less moisture also reduces the density of trees.
Grasslands
Present in the regions of moderate rainfall. The majority of the area is covered with long and short grasses. The trees in the grasslands are short and stunted.
Scrubs
Present in the regions of dry areas of low rainfall. The areas are dry and have thorny shrubs and scrubs. These plants have deep roots, and leaves have thorny and waxy surfaces to reduce moisture loss by transpiration.
Tundra
Present in icy polar regions. It comprises mosses and lichens.The surface is almost barren, without any green cover and almost entirely covered with snow.
Types of Forests
Depending on when the trees shed their leaves, forests have been classified as Evergreen and Deciduous.
Importance of Forests
Forests make 1/3rd of the Earth's total land area. They are a rich source of biodiversity and are a product of billions of years of evolution. Forests are useful to us in several ways:
Productive Functions
Timber and wood: These are used for various purposes like building houses, bridges, furniture, etc.
Paper: Forests provide raw-material like wood for the paper industry.Fruits and nuts: Fruits and nuts are obtained from forests.Essential oils: Plants like sandalwood and khas are used for extracting oils. These oils are used in soaps, cosmetics, etc. Drugs, herbs, and spices: These are obtained from forests and are used in industries and houses. Bamboo: It is used for flooring, roofing, etc.
Protective Functions
Forests check soil erosion and land degradation. Forests provide cover to several ecosystems for the growth of wildlife. Help to conserve water.
Regulative Functions
Forests take in CO₂ and release a large amount of oxygen during photosynthesis, thus helping in maintaining a balance of O₂ and CO₂.
FOREST FIRES
A forest fire is similar to wildfire, bush fire, grass fire, etc. They all are the same phenomenon depending on the type of vegetation being burnt. It is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wild area. A forest fire differs from other fires by its extensive size, the speed at which it can spread out from its source, and its ability to spread across roads, rivulets, and firebreaks. Fire is caused by a combination of ignition, dry wood/leaves, and oxygen.
Causes of Forest Fire
Forest fires could be caused by natural causes as well as human-made causes:
Natural causes: Many forest fires start from natural causes such as lightning which sets trees on fire. This fire may or may not spread as wildly depending on prevailing humidity and temperature conditions in the surrounding region. High atmospheric temperatures and dryness (low humidity) offer favorable conditions for a fire to start.
Human-made causes: Fire is caused when a source of fire like naked flame, smoldering butts of cigarettes, electric sparks passing by electric lines, or any source of ignition comes into contact with inflammable material of the forest.
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