Biosphere — Important Questions

It causes ecological crisis and disturbs the balance

When a species gets exterminated, it creates an ecological crisis because all species are interconnected in food chains. For example, if an animal that eats a particular plant disappears, that plant may grow unchecked and invade areas of other plants, disturbing their growth. Every species plays a specific role in maintaining ecological balance. The removal of one species creates a domino effect that impacts the entire ecosystem, not just that single species.

Sal, teak, neem and shisham

Tropical deciduous forests, also called monsoon forests, have hardwood trees like sal, teak, neem, and shisham. These trees shed their leaves in the dry season to conserve water during monsoons. Rosewood and mahogany are found in tropical evergreen forests. Pine and cedar are coniferous trees found in cold regions. Oak and eucalyptus are found in temperate regions. Each forest type has trees adapted to its specific climate conditions.

Trees with thick bark and waxy leaves

Mediterranean vegetation has trees with thick bark and waxy leaves to adapt to hot, dry summers and wet winters. The thick bark protects from heat, and waxy leaves reduce water loss through transpiration during dry periods. This adaptation helps them survive in regions with Mediterranean climate. Very tall trees are characteristic of tropical forests, deciduous trees shed leaves seasonally, and needle-like leaves are found in coniferous forests.

Coniferous forests

Coniferous forests are also called Taiga. These forests are found in higher latitudes (50°-70°) of the Northern hemisphere and at higher altitudes like in the Himalayas. They consist of tall, softwood, evergreen trees with needle-like leaves like chir, pine, and cedar. The wood from these trees is used for making paper and matchboxes. Tropical evergreen, temperate deciduous, and Mediterranean are different types of forests with their own characteristics and names.