7th Geography Ncert Chapter 6

Salima saw changes in the natural vegetation as she climbed higher in the Himalayas because there is a close relationship between the height of land and the character of vegetation. With the change in height, the climate changes, which in turn changes the natural vegetation. The growth of vegetation depends on factors like temperature, moisture, slope, and thickness of soil.

As Salima traveled from the foothills to the higher altitudes in the Himalayas, she saw changes in vegetation. Initially, she observed deep jungles of sal and teak in the foothills. As she climbed higher, she noticed coniferous trees with thin pointed leaves and cone-shaped canopies on the mountain slopes. She also saw rhododendrons with bright flowers. Towards the higher altitudes, the land was covered with short grass and snow in some places.

Tropical evergreen forests are known as tropical rainforests. These forests occur in the regions near the equator and close to the tropics. They receive heavy rainfall throughout the year, and the trees do not shed their leaves altogether due to the lack of a particular dry season. The thick canopies of closely spaced trees prevent sunlight from penetrating inside the forest even during the day.

Common hardwood trees found in tropical deciduous forests include sal, teak, neem, and shisham. These forests experience seasonal changes, and the trees shed their leaves in the dry season to conserve water. Hardwood trees are useful for making furniture, transport, and construction materials.

Temperate deciduous forests are found in the north-eastern part of the USA, China, New Zealand, Chile, and coastal regions of Western Europe. These forests shed their leaves in the dry season. Common trees found in these forests include oak, ash, beech, etc. Common animals in this habitat are deer, foxes, wolves, along with birds like pheasants and monals.