The term environment is referred to as the immediate surrounding area of an organism. It is the sum total of all the external factors either biotic and abiotic. Different organisms are adopted to their environment differently not only for their sxyvival but also for reproduction. But have you ever wonder that how the environment differs from place to place on the planet Earth?
Tropical lain Forests in India :
In India tropical rain forests are found in Andamans, Western Ghats and North-Eastern Himalayas. The two most common tree species in tropical rain forests are Dipterocarpus and Hopea. A number of plants like Caryota, Livistonia, Calamus rotang, Pinanga and Bamboos (Bambusa, Dendrocolamus and Melocamna) occur at places, It is the most productive biomes and the standing crop biomass is also the highest amongst all terrestrial biomes in India.
Tropical Deciduous Forests :
Location : These forests are found in the outer tropics having moderate, seasonal rainfall. These occur in southern tropics as well as Northern tropics in Brazil, West Indies, Africa, Australia and Indo-China.
Physical Conditions : These forests are of warm areas having annual seasonal rainfall 100-200 cm. Trees are of short to medium size. These depends on the availability of moisture. The shorter trees are 10-20 metres high and the medium stature trees may be 20-30 m tall. Trees form 1-2 layers. Underneath them occur shrub and herbs on the ground. Epiphytes and vines occur but more abundant during rains, plants shed their leaves during summer. So that the forests appear leafless during this period. Due to this litter is abundantly found in soil. During rains forests become lush green with dense faliage, thick herbaceaus layer over the ground and numerous climbers and twiners can be seen.
Flora : The most common trees are Sal, Teak, Tendu and Khair. Other include Sandal, Red sandal, Bauhnia, Emblica, Shisoo, Casia, Alhizzia, Toona, Plum tree, Butea etc.
Fauna : They include Tiger, Elephant, Monkey, Bear, Deer, Pig, Ant eater. Birds, Lizards, Snakes etc.
In India tropical deciduous forests are found in North and South plains as well as low hilly areas. In North-west, these forests pass into tropical thorn forests. Rainfall mostly occurs during monsoon, hence these forests in India are also called Monsoon forests.
