GS 1, TLP-UPSC Mains Answer Writing, World Geography
2. With the help of suitable examples, explain the causal link between precipitation and flora. (10 Marks)
उपयुक्त उदाहरणों की सहायता से वर्षा और वनस्पतियों के बीच के अन्तर्सम्बन्ध की व्याख्या करें।
Approach
Students are expected to write about the causal link between the precipitation and flora. Can start with definition of precipitation and then explaining the link of both with examples.
Introduction
Precipitation occurs when tiny droplets of water, ice or frozen water vapor join together into masses too big to be held above the earth. They then fall to ground as precipitation.
Body
The term precipitation denotes all forms of water that reach the earth from the atmosphere. Usual forms are rainfall, snowfall, hail, frost and dew. Of all these, only the first two contribute significant amounts of water. Magnitude of precipitation varies with time and space.
- Forest-based ecosystems provide an ecosystem service that extends well beyond their ability to produce biomass, carbon sequestration it also help to scale of the water cycle.
- Precipitation in the Blue Nile Basin originating from West African rainforests an area which is seeing an increasing amount of deforestation. If deeforestation continues on its current track, we could lose as much as 25 percent of the rainfall in the Ethiopian highlands.
- The main climatic factors are rainfall and temperature. The amount of annual rainfall has a great bearing on the type of vegetation. For example rainfall 200 cm or more its Evergreen Rain Forests and Below 25 cm it’s Desert (Arid) vegetation.
- One of the most important ingredients for plant growth is water. In many ecosystems, particularly grasslands and cropland, seasonal plant growth occurs in perfect synch with the rainy season. For example times of drought, vegetation in these ecosystems grows poorly, if at all. Abundant rain leads to a burst of green.
- Snow can actually be beneficial to landscape plants. Its acts as an insulator and can protect some plants from the effects of freezing and thawing and provides moisture as is melts.
- Dew forms a protective barrier on the leaf; transpiration will not occur until the dew evaporates. Dew can be beneficial when it comes to providing plants with additional moisture and reducing plant stress from drought conditions.
- Frost creates freezing damage. The ice crystals physically rupture cell walls and membranes within the cells causing physical damage. Damage can be seen once thawed as dark green water soaked areas. For exampleimpatiens, marigolds, coleus, tomatoes and peppers.
Conclusion
Forests, trees and vegetation not only depend on precipitation but also play a critical role in generating it where they stand and in other locations, acting as a driving force for climate regulation.
