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Tropical Deciduous Forests in India: Distribution and Types

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One of the major types of natural vegetation is forests. Forests can be classified into various types based on the topography as well as climate. One of the most widespread natural vegetation and forests in India is Tropical Deciduous Forests.

Tropical Deciduous forests of India

Tropical Deciduous Forests of India

Tropical Deciduous Forests

The Indian vegetation is mostly consisting of tropical deciduous forests. These forests are found in regions receiving rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm. The tropical deciduous forests shed their leaves for about 1.5 to 2 months before winter. Some evergreen trees retain their leaves throughout the year. Deciduous forests are having different varieties of trees.  

Types of Trees in Tropical Deciduous Forests

Edible fruit-bearing trees like apples, oranges, bananas, and pears and non-edible fruit-bearing trees like maple, eke, elm, beech, and birch are found in the maximum regions of tropical deciduous forests.

Natural Vegetation in India

Natural Vegetation in India

Natural Vegetation in India

Characteristics of Tropical Deciduous Forests in India

The table which is given below mentions the main features of Tropical Deciduous Forests and also differentiates them from the other types of forests:

Sr. No. Characteristics of Tropical Deciduous Forests in India

1

Tropical Deciduous Forests are also known as Monsoon Forests.

2

The rainfall in Tropical Deciduous Forests ranges from 70-200 cm.

3

These forests are found in areas where a long dry season is followed by

a heavy rainfall season is one of the characteristics of the region.

4

Tropical Deciduous Forests are of two types:

  1. Moist Deciduous Forests: Mixture of trees and grasses.
  2. Dry Deciduous Forests

5

Tropical deciduous forests are found along the Equator belt between

Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn

6

Major States where tropical deciduous forests are found:

  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Odisha
  • Maharashtra

7

The humidity of these types of forests lies between 80-90 percent.

8

The average temperature in tropical deciduous forests is 30 degrees Celcius.

9

These forests are less dense as compared to evergreen forests.

10

Prime features include seasonality, as the leaves are shed in the dry season and the

leaves are grown back in the rainy season.

Types of Deciduous Forests: Moist Deciduous and Dry Deciduous Forests

In the table given below we will understand the features and characteristics of moist and dry deciduous forests:

Features Moist Deciduous Forests Dry Deciduous Forests
Rainfall

100-200 cms

Annual Temperature Mean: 27 degrees Celsius

Humidity Annually: 60-75 percent

70-100 cm
Regions

The regions where they are found are:

  1. North-eastern states along Himalayan foothills
  2. Eastern slopes of Western Ghats
  3. Odisha
  1. Rainy areas of Peninsular India
  2. Uttar Pradesh
  3. Bihar
  4. Vegetation is scanty in Rajasthan in Southern and Western areas.
Species
  • Teak
  • Sal
  • Hurra
  • Kusum 
  • Sandalwood
  • Amla
  • Palas
  • Khair
  • Axlewood
  • Tendu
  • Bel
Other Features Areas of open grass patches are found in these forests.
  1. A moist portion of these forests transforms into moist deciduous forests; While drier areas into thorn forests.
  2. These forests have parkland landscape with open stretches in higher rainfall regions of the Peninsular.
  3. In the dry season, the trees of these forests shed their leaves completely and turn into grassland.

Distribution of Tropical Deciduous Forests- World

The distribution of tropical deciduous forests worldwide is majorly found in:

  • Sri Lanka
  • Coastal areas of Southwest India
  • Myanmar
  • Bangladesh
  • Southwestern Africa
  • French Guiana
  • Brazil

Related Links

  1. Natural Vegetation in India
  2. Tropical Evergreen Forests
  3. Tropical Thorn Forests and Scrubs

FAQs on Tropical Deciduous Forests of India

Q 1. Which is the most widespread forest in India?

Answer:

The most widespread forest in India is Tropical Deciduous forests.

Q 2. Where are tropical deciduous forests found in India?

Answer:

Tropical deciduous forests in India are found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and also Maharashtra in parts.

Q 3. What kind of plants are found in tropical deciduous forests?

Answer:

Some common plants found in tropical deciduous forests include teak, bamboo, sandalwood, neem, peepal, etc.

Q 4. What are the types of tropical deciduous forests in India?

Answer:

The tropical deciduous forests in India are divided into moist deciduous forests and dry deciduous forests.

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Last Updated : 28 Apr, 2023
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