CBSE Class 9 Social Science: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by · Updated on

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science, Chapter 16, focusing on Natural Vegetation and Wildlife. It covers essential concepts such as the definition of an ecosystem, the factors influencing the distribution of plants and animals in India, and the significance of bio-reserves. The solutions also differentiate between flora and fauna, and explain the characteristics of Tropical Evergreen and Tropical Deciduous forests, along with their associated wildlife. This chapter is crucial for understanding India's rich biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the key topics thoroughly, clarify doubts, and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering clear explanations and structured answers.

Home

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectSocial Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 16

Chapter summary

Chapter 16 of NCERT's Class 9 Social Science textbook delves into India's Natural Vegetation and Wildlife. This solution set clarifies fundamental concepts like ecosystems, bio-reserves, and the factors affecting plant and animal distribution. It also highlights the distinctions between flora and fauna and provides a comparative analysis of Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests, including examples of vegetation and animals found in each. The exercises focus on understanding biodiversity and conservation within the Indian context.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the definition and components of an ecosystem.
  • Identify the factors responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India.
  • Define bio-reserves and provide examples.
  • Differentiate between flora and fauna.
  • Compare and contrast Tropical Evergreen and Tropical Deciduous forests.
  • Recognize examples of animals found in different vegetation types.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Ecosystem definition
  • Factors affecting plant and animal distribution
  • Bio-reserves
  • Flora and Fauna
  • Tropical Evergreen Forests
  • Tropical Deciduous Forests
  • Wildlife in India
  • Conservation of biodiversity

Important topics

  • Definition and components of an ecosystem
  • Distinction between Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous Forests
  • Factors influencing vegetation and wildlife distribution
  • Role and examples of Bio-reserves
  • Understanding Flora and Fauna

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
  1. To which one of the following types of vegetation does rubber belong to?
  1. Tundra
  2. Tidal
  3. Himalayan
  4. Tropical Evergreen
Solution: The correct option is (d) Tropical Evergreen. Rubber is a plant that thrives in warm and humid climates with abundant rainfall throughout the year, which are the characteristic conditions of tropical evergreen forests.

Question 1 (cont.)

  1. Cinchona trees are found in the areas of rainfall more than
  1. 100 cm
  2. 50 cm
  3. 70 cm
  4. less than 50 cm
Solution: The correct option is (a) 100 cm. Cinchona trees, which are the source of quinine, require significant rainfall to grow. They are typically found in tropical regions that receive more than 100 cm of annual rainfall.

Question 1 (cont.)

  1. In which of the following state is the Simlipal bio-reserve located?
  1. Punjab
  2. Delhi
  3. Odisha
  4. West Bengal
Solution: The correct option is (c) Odisha. The Simlipal bio-reserve is a significant protected area located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, known for its rich biodiversity and natural beauty.

Question 1 (cont.)

  1. Which one of the following bio-reserves of India is not included in the world network of bio reserve?
  1. Manas
  2. Nilgiri
  3. Gulf of Mannar
  4. Nanda devi
Solution: The correct option is (a) Manas. While Manas is a vital bio-reserve in India, it is not currently part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, unlike Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, and Nanda Devi, which are recognized internationally.

Question 2

Answer the following questions briefly.
  1. Define an ecosystem.
Solution: An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants and animals) interacting with each other and their non-living physical environment (such as air, water, and soil) in a specific area. This interaction creates a complex system where all components are interdependent.

Question 2 (cont.)

  1. What factors are responsible for the distribution of plants and animals in India?
Solution: The distribution of plants and animals in India is primarily influenced by two main sets of factors:
  1. Relief: This includes the topography of the land, such as mountains, plateaus, and plains, as well as the type of soil present, which affects vegetation growth.
  2. Climate: Key climatic elements like temperature, humidity, the duration of daylight (photoperiod), and the amount of rainfall (precipitation) significantly impact where different species can survive and thrive.

Question 2 (cont.)

  1. What is a bio-reserve? Give two examples.
Solution: A bio-reserve is a designated large area where the natural vegetation, wildlife, and the surrounding environment are protected and conserved. The primary goal is to preserve the region's biological diversity. India has several bio-reserves, including:
  1. Sunderbans Bio-reserve in West Bengal
  2. Nanda Devi Bio-reserve in Uttarakhand

Question 2 (cont.)

  1. Name two animals having habitat in tropical and montane type of vegetation.
Solution:
  • Animals found in Tropical vegetation: Tiger, Elephant. These animals are adapted to the warm climate and dense forests found in tropical regions.
  • Animals found in Montane vegetation: Snow Leopard, Spotted Deer. These animals are adapted to the colder climates and rugged terrains found in mountainous regions.

Question 3

Distinguish between:
  1. Flora and Fauna
Solution:

The distinction between Flora and Fauna is as follows:

Flora Fauna
Flora refers to all the plant species found in a particular region or during a specific period. Fauna refers to all the animal species found in a particular region or during a specific period.

Question 3 (cont.)

  1. Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests
Solution:

The key differences between Tropical Evergreen and Tropical Deciduous forests are:

Tropical Evergreen Forests Tropical Deciduous Forests
Also known as Rain Forests. Also known as Monsoon Forests.
Found in regions receiving more than 200 cm of rainfall. Found in regions receiving rainfall between 70 cm and 200 cm.
The climate is warm and wet throughout the year, so trees do not shed leaves at a specific time. Trees shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks during the dry summer season to conserve water.
Examples of trees include ebony, mahogany, rubber, and rosewood. Examples of trees include teak, bamboo, sandalwood, peepal, and neem.
Common animals found are elephants and monkeys. Common animals found include lions and tigers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing flora and fauna.
  • Inaccurate recall of rainfall amounts for different forest types.
  • Misidentifying animals belonging to specific vegetation zones.
  • Not clearly defining an ecosystem or bio-reserve.

Revision tips

  • Create flashcards for key terms like 'ecosystem', 'flora', 'fauna', and 'bio-reserve'.
  • Draw a table to compare Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests, noting rainfall, leaf shedding, and animal examples.
  • Practice identifying the correct bio-reserve and forest type based on given characteristics.
  • Review the factors affecting plant and animal distribution to understand geographical influences.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Rubber is a type of vegetation that belongs to which category?

Q2. Cinchona trees, known for producing quinine, are typically found in regions with rainfall exceeding:

Q3. The Simlipal bio-reserve, a significant conservation area, is located in which Indian state?

Q4. Which of the following Indian bio-reserves is NOT currently part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves?

Q5. What term describes the interrelationship between plants, animals, and their physical environment in a specific area?

Frequently asked questions

What is an ecosystem according to the NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science?

An ecosystem is defined as the interrelationship between all the plants and animals in a particular area, along with their physical environment. It highlights how living organisms depend on each other and their surroundings.

What are the main factors that determine where plants and animals are found in India?

The distribution of plants and animals in India is influenced by relief features (like land and soil) and climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, sunlight duration (photoperiod), and precipitation.

What is the purpose of a bio-reserve?

Bio-reserves are established to conserve large areas of vegetation, wildlife, and their environments, thereby preserving the overall biological diversity of a region.

Can you explain the difference between Flora and Fauna?

Flora refers to all the plant species found in a particular region or period, while fauna refers to all the animal species in that same region or period.

What are the key differences between Tropical Evergreen and Tropical Deciduous Forests?

Tropical Evergreen forests are found in areas with over 200 cm rainfall and remain wet year-round, housing trees like ebony and mahogany. Tropical Deciduous forests, found in areas with 70-200 cm rainfall, shed leaves for about six to eight weeks during the dry summer season, featuring trees like teak and bamboo.

Which animals are typically found in Tropical Evergreen Forests?

Animals commonly found in Tropical Evergreen Forests include elephants and monkeys, adapted to the dense, humid environment.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.