2.4 - Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

The term "natural vegetation" refers to plant life that grows naturally without human intervention, while "wildlife" refers to animals living in their natural habitat. Both are important components of the environment, providing ecological balance and supporting the biodiversity of the planet. Natural vegetation and wildlife are closely linked and influence each other in many ways. In this section, we will explore the distribution of natural vegetation and the efforts made for their conservation.

Distribution of Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation is distributed based on various factors such as climate, soil, and altitude. The major types of natural vegetation include:

• Tropical Evergreen Forests: Found in regions near the Equator with high temperature and heavy rainfall. Examples include the Amazon rainforest and Congo basin.
• Tropical Deciduous Forests: Found in regions with a marked dry season. These forests shed their leaves during the dry period. They are common in parts of India, Southeast Asia, and Central America.
• Temperate Evergreen Forests: Found in regions with moderate rainfall and cool to cold temperatures. These forests are found in the Pacific coastal regions of North America.
• Temperate Deciduous Forests: Found in regions with seasonal variations in temperature. Common in Europe, the eastern part of North America, and parts of Asia.
• Grasslands: Found in areas where there is not enough rainfall for forests but enough to support grass growth. These are found in the prairies of North America, the steppes of Eurasia, and the savannas of Africa.
• Deserts: These regions have very little rainfall and are characterized by sparse vegetation, such as cacti and thorny bushes. Deserts are found in regions like the Sahara and Arabian deserts.
• Tundra: Found in polar regions or high mountain tops. These areas are characterized by low-growing vegetation like mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs.

The distribution of vegetation is strongly influenced by the climate, temperature, and soil composition of a region. For example, areas with high rainfall support dense forests, while dry areas support deserts and grasslands.

Conservation of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Conserving natural vegetation and wildlife is essential for maintaining the balance of ecosystems and ensuring the survival of species. Conservation efforts aim to protect both vegetation and wildlife from human-induced threats such as deforestation, poaching, and habitat destruction. Some of the key conservation strategies include:

• Protected Areas: Establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves helps protect the natural habitats of animals and plants. For example, the Sundarbans in India and Bangladesh are a protected area for the Bengal tiger.
• Afforestation and Reforestation: These methods involve planting trees in deforested areas and increasing green cover to restore damaged ecosystems. It also helps in preventing soil erosion and maintaining the water cycle.
• Wildlife Protection Laws: Laws such as the Wildlife Protection Act of India (1972) ensure the safety of endangered species by restricting hunting, poaching, and trade in wildlife products.
• Ecotourism: Promoting ecotourism helps in educating people about the importance of conserving nature while generating income for local communities. This creates an incentive for the protection of natural resources.
• In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation: In-situ conservation involves protecting species in their natural habitats, while ex-situ conservation involves preserving species outside their natural habitats, such as in zoos, botanical gardens, and seed banks.

Conservation is necessary to maintain biodiversity and ecological balance. Efforts to conserve natural vegetation and wildlife are vital to sustaining life on Earth, and a variety of strategies are employed globally to ensure their protection.