Short Questions
1. Which tree is Brazil named after?
Answer : Brazil is named after the Pau Brasil tree.
2. What type of forests are found in Brazil’s equatorial region?
Answer : Evergreen forests are found in Brazil’s equatorial region.
3. Which region in Brazil has the highest rainfall?
Answer : The Amazon valley has the highest rainfall in Brazil.
4. What are Brazil’s rainforests called?
Answer : Brazil’s rainforests are called the ‘lungs of the world’.
5. Which type of vegetation is found in Brazil’s dry regions?
Answer : Thorny shrubs and grasses are found in Brazil’s dry regions.
6. Name one type of orchid found in Brazil.
Answer : A variety of orchids, like Cattleya, are found in Brazil.
7. Which animal is found in Brazil’s Pantanal region?
Answer : Anacondas are found in Brazil’s Pantanal region.
8. Name a bird commonly found in Brazil.
Answer : Macaws are commonly found in Brazil.
9. What is the main cause of environmental degradation in Brazil?
Answer : Deforestation is the main cause of environmental degradation in Brazil.
10. Which type of forests receive more than 2000 mm of rainfall in India?
Answer : Evergreen forests receive more than 2000 mm of rainfall in India.
11. Where are deciduous forests found in India?
Answer : Deciduous forests are found in regions with 1000-2000 mm of rainfall in India.
12. Which vegetation is found in India’s arid regions?
Answer : Thorny and shrub-type vegetation is found in India’s arid regions.
13. What are the coastal forests in India called?
Answer : The coastal forests in India are called mangroves or Sunderbans.
14. Which forests are found in the western snow-capped regions of India?
Answer : Himalayan forests with coniferous trees are found in the western snow-capped regions.
15. On which coast are mangroves mainly found in India?
Answer : Mangroves are mainly found on India’s eastern coast.
16. Which type of forests occupy the maximum area in India?
Answer : Deciduous forests occupy the maximum area in India.
17. Name an animal found in India’s arid lands.
Answer : The wild ass is found in India’s arid lands.
18. Which is India’s national animal?
Answer : The tiger is India’s national animal.
19. Name a bird found in India’s wetlands.
Answer : The Indian bustard is found in India’s wetlands.
20. What is a major threat to India’s wildlife?
Answer : Poaching is a major threat to India’s wildlife.
Long Questions
1. Why are evergreen forests found in Brazil’s equatorial region?
Answer : Evergreen forests thrive in Brazil’s equatorial region because it receives heavy rainfall (around 2000 mm) throughout the year. The consistent rain and warm climate support dense, broad-leafed trees like Pau Brasil and mahogany.
2. How does rainfall affect vegetation in Brazil?
Answer : In Brazil, high rainfall in the equatorial region supports evergreen forests, while areas with seasonal rainfall have deciduous forests or grasslands. As rainfall decreases away from the equator, vegetation shifts to thorny shrubs and sparse grasses.
3. Why are Brazil’s rainforests called the ‘lungs of the world’?
Answer : Brazil’s rainforests, especially in the Amazon, release large amounts of oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, helping regulate global climate. This process reduces greenhouse gases, making them vital for the Earth’s atmosphere.
4. What types of wildlife are found in Brazil’s diverse ecosystems?
Answer : Brazil’s ecosystems support animals like anacondas in the Pantanal, monkeys and pumas in forests, and piranhas in rivers. Birds like condors, macaws, and flamingoes, along with millions of insects, add to its rich biodiversity.
5. What environmental issues are faced by Brazil’s forests and wildlife?
Answer : Brazil faces deforestation, illegal smuggling of wildlife, and slash-and-burn agriculture (roca), which degrade forests. These activities threaten endemic species, with 5831 sq. km of forest degraded in 2016 alone.
6. Why do deciduous forests cover the maximum area in India?
Answer : Deciduous forests cover the maximum area in India because they thrive in regions with moderate rainfall (1000-2000 mm), which is common across many parts of the country. These forests, with trees like teak and bamboo, adapt to dry seasons by shedding leaves.
7. What types of forests are found in the Indian Himalayas?
Answer : The Indian Himalayas have seasonally flowering trees at high altitudes, coniferous trees like pine and deodar at medium altitudes, and mixed forests with sal at the foothills. These forests vary due to changes in altitude and climate.
8. How does India’s wildlife contribute to its biodiversity?
Answer : India’s wildlife, including tigers, lions, one-horned rhinos, and snow leopards, makes it a mega-diverse country. Its varied habitats, from humid forests to arid deserts, support unique species like the Gangetic dolphin and Olive Ridley turtles.
9. What are the major causes of wildlife decline in India?
Answer : Wildlife in India is declining due to poaching, deforestation, and pollution, which destroy habitats and endanger species like tigers and elephants. Rapid urbanization and human encroachment further threaten biodiversity.
10. Why is conservation important for both India and Brazil?
Answer : Conservation is crucial in India and Brazil to protect their rich biodiversity, including unique species like Brazil’s anacondas and India’s tigers, from extinction. Deforestation and poaching threaten ecosystems, requiring national parks and sanctuaries to preserve forests and wildlife.
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