Mountain Forests
Indian Natural Vegetation
Mountain Forests
In the mountain regions temperature decreases with altitude. This has a corresponding effect on the natural vegetation of the mountain regions.
(a) Climatic Conditions: These forests are found in the areas where annual temperature is 12 degree celcius to 13 degree celcius, rainfall is between 100 and 300 cms and annual humidity is between 56 and 65 percent.
(b) Relief: These forests occur at an altitude between 1000 m to 4000 m.
(c) Distribution: These forests cover the entire Himalayan zone. In the Peninsular region they are found in the Vindhyas, Nilgiris and Western Ghats.
(d) Characteristic Features:
i> These forests contain mixed species of board leafed evergreen trees and conifers. They also contain scrubs, creepers and ferns.
ii> At the foothills of the Himalayas deciduous forests are found.
iii> At an altitude of 1000 m to 2000 m they are the moist temperate forests.
iv> In the hilly areas of West Bengal and Uttarakhand, evergreen broad leaf trees like chestnut and oak are found.
v> Between the altitude of 1500 m and 1750 m, coniferous trees like Chir pine is an important tree. At an altitude of 2250 m and 3000 m blue pine and spruce are found.
vi> At higher altitudes, alpine forests and alpine grass upto the snowline are found followed by mosses and lichens. Beyond the snowline no vegetation is found.
vii> In the Peninsular regions, the area is only about 1500 m in height and vegetation varies from tropical to temperate forests.
This is because of their closeness to the tropics and height of only 1500 m above sea level. So the vegetation is temperate in the higher regions, and sub tropical on the lower regions of the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. These temperate forests are called Sholas in the Nilgiris, Anaimalai and Palani hills.
The important trees found in these forests include magnolia, laurel, cinchona, wattle, jamun plum, etc.
v> Between the altitude of 1500 m and 1750 m, coniferous trees like Chir pine is an important tree. At an altitude of 2250 m and 3000 m blue pine and spruce are found.
vi> At higher altitudes, alpine forests and alpine grass upto the snowline are found followed by mosses and lichens. Beyond the snowline no vegetation is found.
vii> In the Peninsular regions, the area is only about 1500 m in height and vegetation varies from tropical to temperate forests.
This is because of their closeness to the tropics and height of only 1500 m above sea level. So the vegetation is temperate in the higher regions, and sub tropical on the lower regions of the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. These temperate forests are called Sholas in the Nilgiris, Anaimalai and Palani hills.
The important trees found in these forests include magnolia, laurel, cinchona, wattle, jamun plum, etc.
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