India’s remarkable biological diversity is intricately intertwined with its physiography and climate, forming a tapestry of ecosystems that span from the towering Himalayan peaks to the coastal plains and tropical rainforests. The diverse topographical features, ranging from mountains and plateaus to plains and coastal regions, create distinct habitats that support a myriad of plant and animal species. Additionally, India’s varied climate, influenced by factors such as monsoons and regional variations, further contributes to the ecological richness of the country. The complex interplay of physiography and climate in India fosters a wide range of ecosystems, each hosting unique flora and fauna, making the nation a global hotspot for biodiversity. Understanding how these geographical and climatic factors shape the natural environment is essential for appreciating the extraordinary variety of life that flourishes across the Indian subcontinent.
Answer
India’s diverse physiography and climate has created a wide range of microhabitats, supporting more than 90,000 plant species and over 100,000 animal species, making India one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
Varied biodiversity due to diverse climatic conditions
- Polar type climate
- Average temperature below freezing all year round, precipitation less than 10 inches per year, mostly snow. Vegetation sparse, mostly cold-adapted plants-Alpine meadows, lichens, mosses.
- Animals well-adapted to the cold conditions-Siberian Ibex, Himalayan marmot etc
- Tropical Savanah Climate
- Has warm temperature (20°C to 30°C) distinct wet and dry seasons. The vegetation is diverse, including grasses, trees, and shrubs (Acacia, Bamboo, Elephant grass etc).
- Animals include tigers, elephants, leopards, and sloth bears.
- The hot desert climate
- Extremely high temperatures (25°C to 35°C), very low precipitation (less than 250mm), sparse vegetation- Cacti Succulents, Shrubs, and well-adapted animals- Camels, Desert foxes, Wild asses Chinkara etc
Effect of altitude on Biodiversity
- Altitude in India significantly impacts vegetation and biodiversity.
- Tropical Lowland regions (0-500 meters) feature lush rainforests with species like tigers and elephants.
- Subtropical zones (500-2000 meters) have mixed forests with animals like leopards.
- The temperate zone (2000-3500 meters) showcases coniferous forests with red pandas and tahr,
- Alpine zone (Above 3500 meters) supports cold-adapted species like snow leopards and Himalayan ibex.
The varying altitude zones create distinct ecological niches and diverse wildlife in India.
Effect of Mountains on Biodiversity
Mountains are critical in shaping biodiversity by influencing climate patterns, creating ecological niches, and fostering diverse ecosystems. Mountains, like Western Ghats and the Himalayas, create varying ecosystems due to the rain-shadow effect. Moist air blocked by mountains leads to lush, biodiverse regions on the windward side and arid conditions on the leeward side, supporting unique flora and fauna. E.g. the Western Ghats, acting as a barrier, intercepts the moisture-laden
southwest monsoon winds, leading to lush rainforests on the windward side (west coast) and drier conditions on the leeward side (eastern Deccan plateau).
However, due to increasing anthropogenic inferences this biodiversity is facing challenges in the form of forest fires, deforestation, habitat fragmentation and man-animal conflicts to name a few.
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