Question

Define the following terms:
(i) Flora
(ii) Fauna

Answer 1

Hint: Our ecosystem is a complex and interconnected network which comprises biotic & abiotic elements. Examples of flora are– flowering plants, non – flowering plants, trees, grasslands etc. and the fauna includes – birds, animals, fish, insects etc.

Complete Answer:
Flora & fauna are very important for human existence as the flora is our source of oxygen, fruits, & flowers and the fauna provides us products that can be consumed. They also maintain the equilibrium of the atmosphere and support life.

The flora and fauna in India are diverse with a variety of plants and animal varieties. The popular fauna of India includes 500 different varieties of mammals, 2000 species of birds, 30.000 types of insects and several varieties of fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Some common fauna found in the country are Elephants, Royal Bengal Tiger, rhinos, bison, and lions.
India also contains a variety of flora which includes the Alpines, temperate forests, deciduous forests, evergreen forests, oaks, rhododendrons, pine, spruce, bamboos and tall grasses etc.

(i) Flora – the word is an umbrella term for all the plant life present in a particular area or region (or the entire plant kingdom). The term ‘flora’ means “Goddess of the flower” in Latin; they can be classified as – native flora, agricultural & horticultural flora, weed flora etc.

(ii) Fauna – the word is an umbrella term for all the animals’ life present in a particular area or region (or all the animal kingdom). The term ‘fauna’ is the name of the “Goddess of fertility” as per the Roman mythology. It is also referred to as “forest spirits”. The fauna can be classified as – avifauna (birds), pisci fauna (fishes), crypto fauna, micro fauna etc.

Note: The flora & fauna add to the aesthetic value of the earth. It helps in expansion of local economies by encouraging tourism and increasing trade of products produced by the flora and fauna indigenous to a region. There are around 132 species of flora and fauna which are listed as critically endangered.