NATURAL VEGETATION IN USA Prepared and compiled by

NATURAL VEGETATION IN USA Prepared and compiled by, Dr. Sabina Bano Department of Geography MMV, BHU Varanasi-221005 U. P

LESSON PLAN: 07 TIME DURATION: 01 HOUR OBJECTIVES/ EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES: • To develop the concept of Natural Vegetation and its importance • To develop an overview of the types of natural vegetation of USA • To inculcate the value of natural vegetation for the life on the earth.

INTRODUCTION �Natural vegetation refers to an assemblage of plant species and the ground cover they provide which has grown naturally without human interference. �It comprises trees, plants, scrubs and grasses. Trees are of great economic value and are distributed over the earth’s surface. �Natural vegetation responds to temperature and moisture conditions. �Vegetation has significant relationships with climate, water, soils, landforms, animals and human. �Forest play a dominating role in the economic and cultural landscape of a region. �They contribute in productive as well as protective roles. �It provide timber, fuel, food , fodder, medicine protect wildlife, reduce erosion, bring rainfall, avoid flood, supports industries regulate the weather, give scenic beauty and many more…. �Reckless cutting of trees and changing pattern of land use has exploited the vegetation at a great way.

TYPES OF NATURAL VEGETATION 1. CONIFEROUS FOREST 2. DECIDUOUS BROAD LEAF FOREST 3. GRASSLANDS/ PRAIRIE 4. SUB TROPICAL EVERGREEN FOREST 5. DESERT VEGETATION 6. MOUNTAIN VEGETATION 7. MEDITERRANEAN FOREST

CONIFEROUS FOREST � The USA has one third of its total area under coniferous forest. � They are mainly found in North eastern New England States and near the Great lakes. At the western part of USA they are mainly grown on the slopes of Rockies and Coast range. � The climatic condition is cold and humid. � The soils are acidic and presence of humus. � The needle like leaves save trees from extensive cold, these evergreen forest don't shed their leaves. � Due to inaccessibility these forests are less exploited and famous for their high dense scenic beauty. � Important rich varieties are Douglas, fir, Red cedar spruce, yellow pine, and hemlock. � At higher altitude alpine fir are mainly found. � Paper and wood pulp industries are supported by such forest in these area.

DECIDUOUS BROAD LEAF FOREST � These forests are found in the north eastern and eastern region of USA. � Basically in this area mixed forest are found i. e both coniferous and deciduous trees are visible. � In the northern part coniferous softwood trees as white pines, spruce, larch and fir are predominant. � In the southern region where the temperature is comparatively higher and area demarcated by presence of red- yellow soils is covered by oak, maple, elm, pines, chestnut, yellow pine and hickory trees.

GRASSLANDS � In USA it is known as Prairie and stretches from north to south east of Rockies mountains. � This region has moderate rainfall of 50 cm which is not supporting the growth of trees n good for grasses. � It has fertile soil which are comfortable for the growth of grain faming. � Interestingly the climate and soil change as we move from east to west. Eastern region supports the growth of grasses up to 3 - 4 mtr height and rich in nutrition too. Such grassland covers states like Illinois, Iowa, Saskatchewan etc � Region is ideal for livestock rearing and pastoral activity. � Wheat is the principal crop in this region and it is famous as Wheat belt of USA

SUB TROPICAL EVERGREEN FOREST � This forest found in the southern- eastern parts of the USA as shown in first map. � It extends from North Carolina to Western Texas, Gulf region and Florida. � The temperature of this region is high and average rainfall occurs 100 -200 cm per year. � Important trees are oak, hickory, elm, maple etc. as grown in deciduous forest areas. � Some coniferous trees grow here and there as Cypress, black gum, poplar etc. � Florida palm is famous and due to marshy land at the coastal region marshy vegetation is visible.

DESERT VEGETATION � Desert vegetation are found in desert and semi desert region of Columbia, Great Basin, Colorado plateau, Southern California, and Arizona etc. � The average rainfall in less than 25 cm per year. The climate is dry and soil is sandy with poor in humus. � Xerophytes plants like thorny bushes, cactus, mesquite and yucca grow in such region. � With the help of availability of water crops as corn, wheat, vegetable cotton and date palm are grown in this region

MOUNTAIN FOREST � These forests are mainly grown on the slopes of mountains and at the higher altitudinal regions. � Due to steep slope soil erosion prevails and soil does not develop properly. � It consists of stones, boulders, pebbles, sand, etc. � Grasses, alpine and coniferous vegetation are visible in such regions.

MEDITERRENEAN FOREST � This forest area covers a small region. Mainly grown in California where Mediterranean climate prevails. � This region is characterized by hot and dry summers where as rainy winter season. � Mainly grown in podzol soils and desert soil regions of northern California and middle and southern California respectively. � Trees as Walnut, cork, mulberry, funnel, poplar are common here. � The characteristics of such region is the presence of citrus fruit trees as figs, lemon, oranges, apricot, olives and grapes etc. � Trees of this region have long roots, thick bark and thin leaves those only sustain during long summers. � Chaparral bushes are important.

RECAPITULATION Dear Students just go through this generalize map of natural vegetation and recapitulate all the types under following heads as area found, climatic condition, soil, important trees and remarks.

REFERENCES v Tikha, R. N. , Bali, P. K. and Sekhon M. S. (2009) World Regional Geography, New Academic Publishing Co. v Sharma Y. K. (2017) World Regional Geography, L. K. Agrawal publication v Srivastava V. K. & Sriwatava K. R. (2009) Sayunktay rajya America ka bhogolik swaroop, basundhara prakashan

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