Tropical moist deciduous forests are one of the most common forests in India. They're also known as monsoon forests. Except in the western and northwestern parts of India, moist deciduous forests may be found practically everywhere. These forests can be found in places with rainfall ranging from 100 to 200 cm. The biotic components (producer, consumers and decomposers) such as the Shisham, Sal, Teak, Mango, Rosewood, and other tree species dominate these forests. In the dry summer, trees of this forest type shed their leaves for roughly six to eight weeks. The abiotic factors (climate, temperature, soil, precipitation) such as temperate climate, winter season and year-round precipitation characterizes this forest ecosystem. This article will explain to you about Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests which will be helpful in preparing the Environment syllabus for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Distribution

The tropical moist deciduous forest encompasses the following region

• A belt of Eastern Ghats, encircling the evergreen forest belt.
• From 77° E to 88° E, a strip of terai and bhabar runs along the Shiwalik mountain.
• Manipur and Mizoram.
• Eastern Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh hills.
• Plateau of Chota Nagpur.
• Odisha as a whole.
• West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are included.

Distribution of Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

Climatic Conditions

• The annual rainfall ranges from 200 to 100 cm.
• This type of vegetation thrives in climates with average yearly temperatures of 24°C or 27°C and relative humidity of 60 to 75 percent.

Soil

• Since topsoil is frequently washed away driven by strong rains, these forests may have poor soil.
• In addition, the cover is so dense that only a few smaller plants can thrive.
• The presence of trees helps to keep soil in place, which helps to prevent erosion.
• Fallen trees also play a vital role in nutrient conservation and cycling, as well as erosion reduction.
• Windbreaks created by trees also serve to keep topsoil from being blown away.

Flora

• When there isn't enough rain, the trees lose their leaves in the spring and early summer.
• In harsh summers, the typical appearance is barren (April-May).
• The top story of tropical moist deciduous forests is irregular [25 to 60 m].
• Trees with a lot of buttressing and a lot of undergrowth.
• These forests cover a far bigger area than evergreen forests, but enormous swaths of land beneath them have been removed for agriculture.
• As said earlier, Shisham, Sal, Teak, Mango, Sandalwood and Rosewood dominate these forests.
• The most important timber of these forests particularly in Odisha is sal.
• The two prominent species found in the Eastern Ghats forests are Dendrocalamus stricts (Salia baunse) and Bamboosa arundinacea (Kanta baunsa).
• The Mahanadi and Rushikulya basins are their only home.
• The Sal, as well as other species such as Adina Cardifolia (Kusum), Xylia Xylocarpa, Anogeissus Iatifolia (Dhau), and Machilus Villosa, congregate in the hetrogeneous deciduous zone.

Buttressed Trunks

Fauna

• The Hoolok Gibbon, (also known as Yongmu) the only ape in India, is found in the tropical moist deciduous forests of Manipur.
• Other rare monkeys found in the woodlands are the Slow Loris, the Stumped Tailed Macaque, and the Pig Tailed Macaque.
• Rare nocturnal carnivores such as the Clouded leopard and the Golden Cat are occasionally seen.
• These forests are also home to the Himalayan Black Bear. During the night, Bison and Sambar herds can be observed in the New Samtal area.
• Pheasant, Burmese peafowl, and jungle fowls have all been seen.
• Thai pangolins have also been spotted along the Indo-Myanmar border.
• These unique place is home to the rare and elusive Malayan Sun Bear.
• Outside of India, bears, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, wood mice, and even deer are common mammals found in deciduous forests in the United States.

Decomposers

• Jack-o-lanterns, pear-shaped puffballs, fawn mushrooms, turkey tails, and destroying angels are examples of common fungi found in the tropical moist deciduous forests.
• Chanterelles, for example, grow directly in the soil, while others grow on tree trunks. Many, like the fly agaric, have a mushroom-like appearance.
• Tree ears, for example, protrude from tree trunks and resemble a porch roof.
• Some mycorrhizae envelop the roots of some trees, such as beeches and oaks, and aid in the absorption of nutrients from the soil.

Economic Importance

• The tropical moist deciduous forests are one of the best forests in terms of export, import, and revenue, according to India's economic resource pooling.
• These forests offer abundant supplies of Sal, Teak, Rosewood, and Sandalwood trees.
• These are utilized for logging as well as the manufacture of a variety of products such as railway lines, structures, furniture, and a variety of other items.
• Sandalwood of good grade is sold on the international market for a premium price.
• The Muthanga sanctuary in Kerala is home to a diverse range of birds and animals, including tropical moist dry deciduous, evergreen forests, bamboo thickets, and plantations.

Conclusion

The tropical moist deciduous forest ecosystem is in risk right now. The ecology has been severely harmed by both anthropogenic and natural impacts, as well as overexploitation of forest resources. Agriculture's fast expansion in forestland poses a big concern as well. Thus, in tropical moist deciduous forests, the adoption of a sustainable forest management strategy, as well as scientific research, is the need of the hour.