The terrestrial portion of the biosphere is divided into large segments known as biomes, which are defined by climate, flora, animal life, and general soil type. There are no two biomes that are alike. The term "biome" refers to the major groups of plants and animals that live in areas with specific climate patterns. It includes the interactions between animals, vegetation, and soil. The plants and animals that live in the area have adapted to their surroundings. The climate determines the boundaries of each biome, as well as the abundance of plants and animals that live there. The most important climatic factors are temperature and precipitation. In this article, we will discuss Biomes of India which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Importance of Biomes

• The animals and plants with whom we will interact are determined by the biome in which we live.
• The resources we can use to build with, the foods we can find, cultivate, and hunt for, the clothing we need to wear, and so on are all influenced by the biome in which we live.
• When people in a biome can grow their own food and have access to nutritious, safe, and sufficient food to live a fit and healthy life, the region is considered food secure.
• Biomes provide important services and roles such as water catchment, biodiversity reserves, cultural and recreational needs, and possibly a carbon sink to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Biome Examples

• Terrestrial biomes include grasslands, deserts, and tropical rainforests.
• Freshwater biomes include polar freshwaters, great lakes, tropical and subtropical coastal rivers, temperate coastal rivers, and other freshwater biomes.
• Examples of marine biomes include continental shelves, tropical coral reefs, and kelp forests.
• When biome boundaries converge, an ecotone is formed. Two common examples are riparian zones and salt marshes.

Biomes in India

India's biomes can be broadly classified into the five categories listed below:

• Tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
• Tropical deciduous forests
• Tropical thorn forests
• Montane Forest
• Littoral and swamp forests

Tropical Evergreen and Semi-evergreen Forests

Location​

• Tropical evergreen forests can be found on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, as well as in the hills of the north eastern region and on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• They live in warm, humid climates with annual precipitation of more than 200 cm and mean annual temperatures above 22 degrees Celsius.

Characteristics

• Tropical evergreen forests are well stratified, with layers closer to the ground, and are covered with shrubs and creepers, with short structured trees followed by tall trees of various species.
• Trees in these forests can grow to heights of 60 m or more.
• There is no set period for trees to shed their leaves, flower, and bear fruit. As a result, these forests appear green all year.

Species

• Rosewood, mahogony, aini, ebony, and other species are found in these forests.

Semi-evergreen Forests

Location

• Semi-evergreen forests are found in less rainy areas of these regions.
• These forests contain a mix of evergreen and moist deciduous trees.

Species

• The main species are white cedar, hollock, and kail.

Tropical Deciduous Forests

• These are India's most common forests.
• They're also known as monsoon forests.
• Location: They are found in areas where rainfall ranges from 70 to 200 cm.
• These forests are further classified as moist or dry deciduous based on the availability of water.

Moist Deciduous Forests

• Location
• Moist deciduous forests are more prevalent in areas with rainfall ranging from 100 to 200 cm.
• These forests can be found in the north-eastern states along the Himalayan foothills, the Eastern Ghats, and Odisha.
• Species
• The main species of these forests include teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood, among others.

Dry Deciduous Forest

Location

• It covers large areas of the country where rainfall averages 70-100 cm.
• It transitions to moist deciduous forests on the wetter margins and to thorn forests on the drier margins.
• These forests can be found in the rainier areas of the Peninsula as well as the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Species

• Common trees in these forests include tendu, palas, amaltas, bel, khair, axlewood, and others.

Tropical Thorn Forests

Location

• Tropical thorn forests grow in areas where the annual rainfall is less than 50 cm. These include a variety of grasses and shrubs.
• It includes semi-arid areas of south-west Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Features

• Plants in these forests are leafless for most of the year, giving the appearance of scrub vegetation.

Species

• Important species discovered include babool, ber, and wild date palm, khair, neem, khejri, palas, and others.

Montane Forests

• Mountain forests are divided into two types: northern mountain forests and southern mountain forests.
• The Himalayan ranges exhibit a succession of vegetation from tropical to tundra, which changes with altitude.
• The Himalayan foothills are home to deciduous forests.
• Wet temperate forests at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 metres.
• Pine forests are also well-developed in this zone between 1500-1750 m, with Chir Pine being a very useful commercial tree.
• Deodar, a highly valued endemic species, grows primarily in the western Himalayan range. Deodar is a long-lasting wood that is primarily used in construction.
• Similarly, the chinar and walnut, which sustain the famous Kashmir handicrafts, are native to this region.
• Blue pine and spruce appear at elevations ranging from 2,225 to 3,048 metres.
• Temperate grasslands can also be found in many areas of this zone.
• Silver firs, junipers, pines, birch, and rhododendrons, among others, grow between 3,000 and 4,000 metres.
• These pastures are extensively used for transhumance by tribes such as the Gujjars, Bakarwals, Bhotiyas, and Gaddis.
• Mosses and lichens are part of the tundra vegetation at higher altitudes.
• The southern mountain forests include forests found in three distinct areas of Peninsular India: the Western Ghats, the Vindhyas, and the Nilgiris.
• Temperate forests are known as Sholas in the Nilgiris, Anaimalai, and Palani hills.
• Other economically important trees in this forest include magnolia, laurel, cinchona, and wattle. Such forests can also be found in the Satpura and Maikal ranges.

Littoral and Swamp Forests

• Mangroves grow along the coasts in salt marshes, tidal creeks, mud flats, and estuaries. They are made up of several salt-tolerant plant species.
• These forests, which are crisscrossed by creeks of stagnant water and tidal flows, provide habitat for a diverse range of birds.
• Mangrove forests cover 6,740 square kilometres in India, accounting for 7% of the world's total.
• They are well developed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and West Bengal's Sunderbans. The Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna deltas are also important.

Conclusion

Biomes play an important role in understanding ecology. It helps scientists not only study a particular plant or animal, but also the role it plays in a community and the characteristics that have evolved to survive in that environment. Through numerous developmental activities, humans are beginning to damage these biologically diverse biomes. Building large dams and reservoirs, highways, harvesting timber for grazing and crops, encroachment and clearing by landless farmers are examples of these operations. This leads to irreversible loss of biological assets. This loss has far-reaching consequences not only for ecosystems, but also for the environment.

FAQs

Q1: What are biomes?

Q2: How many major biomes are found in India?

Q3: What factors influence the distribution of biomes in India?

Q4: Why are biomes important for biodiversity?

Q5: What are some major threats to Indian biomes?

MCQs

1. Which of the following is NOT a major biome found in India?

A) Tropical rainforest

B) Tundra

C) Desert

D) Grassland

2. What primarily characterizes the tropical rainforest biome in India?

A) Low temperatures

B) High rainfall and humidity

C) Seasonal rainfall

D) Sparse vegetation

3. Which factor significantly influences the types of biomes found in India?

A) Ocean currents

B) Latitude

C) Altitude and climate

D) Urbanization

4. What is one major impact of climate change on Indian biomes?

A) Increased biodiversity

B) Altered precipitation patterns

C) Enhanced soil fertility

D) Stable temperatures

5. Which of the following is a major threat to biodiversity in Indian biomes?

A) Conservation efforts

B) Pollution and habitat loss

C) Natural disasters

D) Biodiversity education

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Discuss the significance of biomes in maintaining ecological balance in India.

Answer: Biomes play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in India by providing diverse habitats that support a variety of plant and animal species. Each biome contributes to the overall health of the environment through nutrient cycling, climate regulation, and soil formation. For instance, forests help in carbon sequestration, thereby mitigating climate change, while wetlands maintain water quality and provide habitat for numerous species. Additionally, biomes support the livelihoods of millions of people, contributing to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The loss of biodiversity within these biomes can lead to ecological instability, affecting not only the species that inhabit them but also human communities dependent on these ecosystems for their survival.

Q2. Evaluate the threats to biomes in India and suggest measures for their conservation.

Answer: Indian biomes face multiple threats, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, climate change, pollution, and unsustainable agricultural practices. These threats lead to biodiversity loss and disrupt ecological processes. Effective conservation measures include establishing protected areas to preserve critical habitats, promoting sustainable land-use practices, and enforcing stricter regulations against pollution and deforestation. Community involvement in conservation efforts is essential, as local populations often have valuable knowledge about their ecosystems. Additionally, raising awareness and education about the importance of biodiversity can help foster a culture of conservation. Implementing these measures can help safeguard India's rich biodiversity and ensure the sustainability of its biomes.

Q3. Analyze the role of biomes in India’s socio-economic development.

Answer: Biomes significantly influence India’s socio-economic development by providing essential ecosystem services that support livelihoods and economic activities. Forest biomes, for instance, offer timber, non-timber products, and medicinal plants, contributing to rural economies. Grasslands support livestock rearing, which is vital for the agrarian economy. Wetlands enhance fisheries, providing food security and employment to many communities. Furthermore, biomes play a critical role in water purification, climate regulation, and soil fertility, which are fundamental to agricultural productivity. However, the degradation of these biomes poses risks to food security, health, and economic stability. Sustainable management of biomes is, therefore, essential not only for environmental health but also for the socio-economic well-being of the nation.

Previous Year Questions on  Biomes

1. UPSC CSE 2021

Question. Discuss the importance of biomes in India and their role in biodiversity conservation.

Answer: Biomes in India are vital for biodiversity conservation as they encompass diverse ecosystems that support a wide range of species. The unique climatic conditions, soil types, and topographies of each biome contribute to distinct flora and fauna, enhancing the country's biodiversity. Biomes such as tropical rainforests, deserts, and grasslands are essential for ecological functions, including carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and water regulation. The preservation of these biomes is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting human livelihoods. Effective conservation strategies, including protected areas and sustainable practices, are needed to mitigate threats like habitat loss and climate change, ensuring the survival of biodiversity in these biomes.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question. Evaluate the impact of climate change on the biomes of India and suggest adaptation strategies.

Answer: Climate change significantly impacts India's biomes, leading to altered temperature and precipitation patterns that threaten ecosystems. For instance, tropical rainforests may experience changes in species composition due to rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, affecting biodiversity. Deserts may expand, while grasslands could face increased drought, impacting agriculture and livelihoods. To mitigate these impacts, adaptation strategies should include promoting resilient agricultural practices, restoring degraded habitats, and enhancing water management systems. Community engagement in adaptation efforts is essential, as local knowledge can inform sustainable practices. Integrating climate resilience into policy and planning can help safeguard India’s biomes against the adverse effects of climate change, ensuring ecological and socio-economic stability.