TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

The interrelations between organisms and environment on the land constitute “Terrestrial Ecology”. Due to variation in the topographic features of valleys, mountains and slopes, certain differences occur. These differences are reflected in both the material and biotic diversities. Altitudinal and latitudinal variations cause shifts and differences in the climatic patterns. Due to varied climate, the plant and animal life existing in different terrestrial areas vary which result in differentiation of ecosystem as segments within the large biosphere. The most important limiting factors of the terrestrial ecosystems are moisture and temperature.

3.1. TUNDRA 3.2. FOREST ECOSYSTEM 3.2.1. Coniferous forest (boreal forest):3.2.2. Temperate deciduous forest:3.2.3. Temperate evergreen forest:3.2.4. Temperate rain forests:3.2.5. Tropical rain forests:3.2.6. Tropical seasonal forests:3.2.7. Subtropical rain forests:3.3. INDIAN FOREST TYPES Champion and Seth Classification of Forest 3.3.1. Tropical Wet evergreen forests 3.3.2. Tropical Semi-evergreen forests 3.3.3. Tropical Moist deciduous forests 3.3.4. Littoral and swamp 3.3.5. Tropical Dry deciduous forest 3.3.6. Tropical Thorn forests 3.3.7. Tropical Dry evergreen forest 3.3.8. Sub tropical Broad-leaved forests 3.3.9. Sub tropical Pine forests 3.3.10. Sub tropical Dry evergreen forests 3.3.11. Montane Wet temperate forests 3.3.12. Himalayan Moist temperate Forest 3.3.13. Himalayan Dry temperate Forest 3.3.14. Sub alpine forest 3.3.15. Moist Alpine scrub 3.3.16. Dry alpine scrub Importance of Forest 3.4. DEFORESTATION 3.4.1. Causes 2) development project 3) Fuel Requirements 4) Raw Material Requirements 5) Other Causes 3.4.2. How it affects?3.5. GRASSLAND ECOSYTEM 3.5.1. Types of Grasslands 1) semi-arid zone 2) dry sub humid zone 3) moist sub humid zone 4) Humid montane regions 3.5.2. Economic importance of grasslands 3.5.3. Impact of grazing 3.5.4. Role of fire 3.6. DESERT ECOSYSTEM 3.6.1. Adaptations ( i) These plants conserve water by following methods:( ii) The animals are physiologically and behaviorally adapted to desert conditions.3.6.2. Indian Desert - Thar desert (hot)(a) Flora (b) Fauna 3.6.3. Cold Desert/ Temperate Desert 3.6.4. Characters 3.7. DESERTIFICATION Causes 3.7.1. Status of Indian desertification Control measures 3.7.2. Afforestation 3.8 INDIAN STATE OF FOREST REPORT, 2017