Key Points
Key Points: Brazil Vegetation
- Rainfall in Brazil decreases away from the equator, affecting the type and density of vegetation.
- Evergreen forests grow in regions with year-round rainfall, while areas with seasonal rain have grasses, shrubs, and thorny plants.
- Brazil has the highest number of plant species in the world, including Pau Brasil, rubber, mahogany, rosewood, and orchids.
- Vegetation types in Brazil include evergreen, semi-evergreen, and arid varieties based on rainfall and climate.
- Brazil’s rainforests are called the "lungs of the world" because they release large amounts of oxygen and help reduce carbon dioxide levels.
Key Points: Indian Vegetation
- Evergreen forests grow in areas with 2000+ mm rainfall; trees include mahogany, rosewood, and rubber.
- Deciduous forests grow with 1000–2000 mm rainfall; trees like teak, bamboo, peepal shed leaves in the dry season.
- Thorny vegetation is found where rainfall is below 500 mm; it includes acacia, cactus, and aloe vera.
- Mangroves (Sunderbans) grow in saline coastal areas; wood is oily and durable.
- Himalayan forests change by altitude – flowering trees at the top, conifers in the middle, and mixed forests with sal at the foothills.
Key Points: Brazil Wildlife
- Brazil has the richest wildlife diversity in the world, with animals like anacondas, pumas, crocodiles, monkeys, and more.
- Pink dolphins and piranhas live in rivers, while swordfish are found in seas.
- Birds like condors, parrots, macaws, and flamingoes are commonly found in Brazil.
- Millions of insect species add to Brazil’s rich biodiversity.
- Wildlife is under threat due to illegal hunting, deforestation, pollution, and slash-and-burn farming (roca), endangering many species.
Key Points: Indian Wildlife
- India is a mega-diverse country with animals like elephants, rhinos, camels, wild ass, snow leopards, and yaks found in different habitats.
- Tigers and lions are both found in India, making it unique in the world.
- Aquatic animals like turtles, crocodiles, gharials, and Gangetic dolphins live in rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas.
- Birds like peacocks, Indian bustards, kingfishers, cranes, and others are found in forests and wetlands.
- Wildlife is threatened by poaching, pollution, and deforestation, so India has established national parks and sanctuaries to protect it.
Important Questions [6]
- Give geographical reason for the following: The evergreen rain forests in Brazil are rightly called in ‘Lungs of the world’.
- Observe the following map and answer the questions given below: 1. Name any two forests in Brazil. 2. Name the Island shown in the map. 3. In which place do you find crocodiles? 4. Where are Tamairin
- What environmental issues are faced by Brazil and India?
- In the swampy areas of Pantanal ______ are found.
- What are the major causes of the degradation of forest in Brazil and India?
- Choose the odd man out: Animals found in the Peninsular region of India.
