06. Class 7 Geography Chapter 6 Human Environment Interactions The Tropical and Subtropical Region Notes

Welcome to Class 7 Geography Chapter 6 Human Environment Interactions The Tropical and Subtropical Region notes.

Exam Notes for Class 7 Students – Human Environment Interactions in Tropical and Subtropical Regions

Introduction

• Renuka’s fascination with wildlife and forests began during her childhood when her uncle introduced her to books on nature.
• Human Environment Interactions in tropical and subtropical regions encompass a wide array of topics and are crucial to understanding our world.

The Amazon Basin

Geography and Location

• The Amazon Basin is situated in South America, primarily within the equatorial region, spanning latitudes from 10°N to 10°S.
• It is distinguished by the presence of the Amazon River, one of the world’s longest rivers, which flows through this vast region.
• The basin extends across several countries, including Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and a small part of Venezuela.

Climate

• The Amazon Basin experiences an equatorial climate characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year.
• This climate is marked by consistent humidity, daily rainfall, and warm temperatures both during the day and at night.

The Enigmatic Rainforests

• The rainforests of the Amazon Basin are renowned for their unique characteristics.
• These forests are exceptionally dense, featuring a thick canopy formed by leaves and branches that limit the penetration of sunlight to the forest floor.
• The resulting dark and damp ground fosters the growth of shade-tolerant vegetation, including orchids and bromeliads.
• The rainforest is also rich in fauna, including toucans, hummingbirds, macaws with their vibrant plumage, and animals such as monkeys, sloths, and ant-eating tapirs.

Biodiversity

• The Amazon Basin boasts extraordinary biodiversity, housing thousands of species of flora and fauna.
• Reptiles and snakes, including crocodiles, pythons, anacondas, and boa constrictors, thrive in these lush jungles.
• The basin’s aquatic ecosystems are teeming with life, featuring numerous species of fishes, including the infamous flesh-eating Piranha fish.

People of the Rainforests

• The inhabitants of the Amazon Basin practice a unique form of agriculture known as “slash and burn agriculture.”
• This method involves clearing small sections of the forest for cultivation.
• Their staple food is manioc, also known as cassava, a root crop that grows underground.
• In addition to manioc, they consume queen ants and their egg sacs.
• Cash crops such as coffee, maize, and cocoa are also cultivated.

Unique Dwellings

• The people of the rainforests reside in distinctive houses, including thatched houses shaped like beehives.
• In some areas, large apartment-like structures called “Maloca” with steeply slanting roofs are common.

Environmental Impact and Deforestation

• The accessibility brought by the Trans Amazon highway and aircraft has changed the way of life in the rainforests.
• Indigenous populations have been displaced from their ancestral lands.
• Unfortunately, developmental activities have led to the gradual destruction of the biologically diverse rainforests, causing significant deforestation.
• It is estimated that a substantial area of the rainforest disappears annually, with implications for the entire ecosystem.

Life in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin

Geography and Location

• The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin is situated in the Indian subcontinent, spanning latitudes from 10°N to 30°N.
• It encompasses diverse geographical features, including plains, mountains, foothills of the Himalayas, and the Sundarbans delta.

Climate

• The basin experiences a monsoon climate characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons.
• Monsoon winds bring rainfall from mid-June to mid-September.
• Summers are hot, while winters are relatively cool.

Population Distribution

• Population density in the basin varies significantly based on topography.
• The flat plains with fertile soil have a high population density.
• Agriculture is the primary occupation, with crops such as paddy, wheat, maize, sugarcane, jute, and tea in specific regions.

Vegetation and Wildlife

• The basin’s vegetation varies depending on the type of landforms.
• In the Ganga and Brahmaputra plains, tropical deciduous trees are common, along with teak, sal, and peepal.
• The Brahmaputra plain features thick bamboo groves.
• Coniferous trees like pine, deodar, and fir are found in the cooler regions of Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Agriculture and Terraces

• Agriculture is the dominant occupation, with terraces built on gentle slopes for crop cultivation.
• Paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, gram, millets, sugarcane, and jute are among the crops grown.
• In West Bengal and Assam, tea plantations are prevalent, and silk production through sericulture occurs in parts of Bihar and Assam.

Wildlife Diversity

• The basin is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, tigers, deer, and various aquatic species in rivers and lakes.
• One notable species is the one-horned rhinoceros, found in the Brahmaputra plain.
• Freshwaters contain the Susu or blind dolphin, an indicator of river health.

Transportation and Tourism

• The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin benefits from well-developed transportation networks, including roadways, railways, waterways, and airports.
• Major cities like Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Patna, and Kolkata are situated along the Ganga River.
• Tourism plays a significant role, with attractions such as the Taj Mahal, Buddhist stupas, wildlife sanctuaries, and cultural sites drawing visitors.

Environmental Challenges

• River pollution due to wastewater discharge from cities and industries poses a significant environmental challenge.
• Preserving biodiversity and conserving the fragile ecosystem of the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin are ongoing challenges.

Vocabulary and Definitions

• Monsoon climate: Seasonal wind patterns that bring wet and dry periods.
• Ox-bow lakes: Curved lakes formed from abandoned river channels.
• Population density: The number of people per square kilometer.
• Coniferous trees: Trees that bear cones and typically have needle-like leaves.

Conclusion

• Human-environment interactions in tropical and subtropical regions are intricate and multifaceted.
• A deep understanding of the geography, climate, culture, and environmental challenges in these regions is essential for sustainable development and conservation efforts.

Keywords and Definitions

Important Definitions for Class 7 Geography Chapter 6 Human Environment Interactions The Tropical and Subtropical Region notes.

• Equatorial region: A geographical area located near the equator, characterized by specific climatic conditions, including high temperatures and consistent rainfall throughout the year.
• Tributaries: Smaller rivers that flow into and merge with a larger main river, contributing to its overall volume and flow.
• River basin: The geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries, encompassing all the land that water flows across or under on its way to a particular river.
• Slash and burn agriculture: A farming method where farmers clear a piece of land by cutting down and burning the existing vegetation. The ashes from the burnt vegetation release nutrients into the soil, allowing crops to be grown for a few years before the land is abandoned and the process is repeated elsewhere.
• Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
• Deforestation: The action of clearing a wide area of trees, typically to make way for agriculture, urban development, or other human activities.

Important Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Important Questions for Class 7 Geography Chapter 6 Human Environment Interactions The Tropical and Subtropical Region notes.

1. What is the equatorial region?

• Equatorial region refers to a geographical area located near the equator, characterized by specific climatic conditions, including high temperatures and consistent rainfall throughout the year.

2. What are tributaries in the context of river geography?

• Tributaries are smaller rivers that flow into and merge with a larger main river, contributing to its overall volume and flow.

3. Can you explain the concept of a river basin?

• A river basin is the geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries, encompassing all the land that water flows across or under on its way to a particular river. It forms a natural drainage system for an entire region.

4. What does “slash and burn agriculture” mean?

• Slash and burn agriculture is a farming method where farmers clear a piece of land by cutting down and burning the existing vegetation. The ashes from the burnt vegetation release nutrients into the soil, allowing crops to be grown for a few years before the land is abandoned and the process is repeated elsewhere.

5. What is biodiversity, and why is it important?

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat. It is essential because diverse ecosystems provide various ecological services, such as clean air and water, pollination of crops, and pest control, contributing to the overall health of the planet.

6. How would you define deforestation?

• Deforestation is the action of clearing a wide area of trees, typically to make way for agriculture, urban development, or other human activities. It has significant environmental and ecological consequences, including habitat destruction and climate change.

7. How can we support conservation efforts in the Amazon rainforest?

• Supporting conservation efforts in the Amazon rainforest can involve contributing to organizations dedicated to preserving this vital ecosystem, raising awareness about its importance, and advocating for sustainable practices to reduce deforestation.

8. What is the significance of the Trans Amazon highway?

• The Trans Amazon highway is a major road infrastructure that has made various parts of the Amazon rainforest accessible for transportation and development. However, it has also led to significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and habitat loss.

9. What are the major cities located along the River Ganga?

• Major cities situated along the banks of the River Ganga include Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Patna, and Kolkata.

10. How can we help conserve the one-horned rhinoceros in the Amazon Basin?

• To conserve the one-horned rhinoceros in the Amazon Basin, efforts should focus on preserving their natural habitat, combating poaching, and supporting wildlife conservation initiatives.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1 What is the primary characteristic of an equatorial region?
a) High mountains
b) Low temperatures
c) Consistent rainfall
Answer: c) Consistent rainfall

2 What do tributaries contribute to a main river?
a) Soil erosion
b) Increased pollution
c) Additional water and flow
Answer: c) Additional water and flow

3 Which term refers to the geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries?
a) Watershed
b) Riverbed
c) River basin
Answer: c) River basin

4 What is the primary purpose of slash and burn agriculture?
a) Preservation of forests
b) Crop rotation
c) Clearing land for cultivation
Answer: c) Clearing land for cultivation

5 Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems?
a) It reduces species competition
b) It supports ecological stability and services
c) It leads to habitat destruction
Answer: b) It supports ecological stability and services

6 What is the main consequence of deforestation?
a) Decreased urbanization
b) Increased habitat preservation
c) Loss of forest cover
Answer: c) Loss of forest cover

7 How can individuals contribute to Amazon rainforest conservation?
a) Promote deforestation
b) Advocate for sustainable practices
c) Encourage habitat destruction
Answer: b) Advocate for sustainable practices

8 What impact has the Trans Amazon highway had on the Amazon rainforest?
a) Increased conservation efforts
b) Reduced accessibility
c) Increased deforestation
Answer: c) Increased deforestation

9 Which cities are situated along the banks of the River Ganga?
a) Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore
b) Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi
c) Sydney, London, Paris
Answer: b) Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi

10 How can we contribute to the conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros?
a) Support habitat destruction
b) Promote poaching
c) Preserve natural habitat and combat poaching
Answer: c) Preserve natural habitat and combat poaching

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This was the end of Class 7 Geography Chapter 6 Human Environment Interactions The Tropical and Subtropical Region notes.

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