The Biogeographic Classification for the Conservation of Biodiversity are as follows:
Biogeographic Zones of India:
For the planning of conservation of biodiversity at the state and national levels, classifications of ecosystems are done based on biogeography.
The biogeographical classification uses following four levels of planning:
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(a) The Biogeography Zone:
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It is a large distinctive unit of similar ecology, biome representation, community and species, e.g., the coasts, the islands, etc.
(b) The Biotic Province:
It is secondary unit within a biogeographic zone, giving weight to particular community.
(c) The Land Region:
It is a tertiary set of units within a province. It indicates different land forms.
(d) The Biome:
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It is an ecological unit and is found in biogeographic zones or provinces.
Explanation of the Characteristics of Biogeographic Zones of India:
A concise description of major biogeographic zones is outlined below:
(i) Trans-Himalayan zone:
Climate is cold, vegetation is mountain type, animals found are sheep, goats, snow leopards, etc.
Siachin, Leh and Sri Nagar are important places of this zone.
(ii) Himalayan zones:
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East, west, central and north-west Himalayas are the four biotic provinces of this zone. It has three climate zones and three vegetation zones. Elephant, ape, tiger, lion, bear, etc. are main animals of this zone. Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir is important places of this zone.
(iii) The North-East India:
Climate is highly moist because of heavy rainfall. Bamboo, citrus plants, banana, etc. are important vegetation of this zone. Elephant is main animal of this zone. Cherrapunji, Imphal, Shillong etc. are important places of this zone.
(iv) North- West Desert Zone:
Summer is very hot and dry; winter is cold; rainfall is less. Ground vegetation and grasses are the main vegetation of this zone. Indian Bustard (highly endangered species) is the animal surviving in this zone.
Jodhpur, Jaisalmer etc. are important places of this zone.
(v) The Gangetic Plain:
Moderate temperature and moderate rainfall is the characteristic climate. Many species of grasses, ground vegetables, fruits, flowering plants are found in this zone. Tiger, leopard, monkey, ape and elephant are the main animals of this zone. Lucknow, Allahabad, Patna and Kolkata are important places of this zone.
(vi) Semi-Arid Zone:
Moderate rainfall and temperature is the characteristic climate. Mixed deciduous, thorny and type of forests are found in this zone.
Indore. Bilaspur, Jabalpur and Sambalpur are important places of this zone.
(vii) Deccan Penninsula Zone:
In this zone, average annual rainfall is low. This zone extends from central India to south India.
Raipur, Hyderabad, Bangalore etc. are important places of this zone.
(viii) Eastern and Western Sea Coasts:
In this zone, climate is neither too hot nor too cold. Mangrooves (estuarine ecosystem) is found in this zone. Thiruvanantpuram, Chennai, Mumbai etc. are located in this zone.
(ix) Western Ghat Zone:
Rainfall is heavy; climate is neither too hot nor too cold. Different types of forests viz. tropical moist evergreen, mangrove, mixed deciduous, temperate evergreen type are found in this zone.
Pune, Surat etc. are located in this zone.
(x) The Islands Zone:
Climate is moist, neither too cold nor too hot. Mangrooves, beach forests, forests of tall trees etc. are found in this zone. Port Blair, Kavaratti etc. are located in this zone.