Chapter 6: Human Environment Interactions: The Tropical and the Subtropical Region
Overview of the Chapter
Understanding the Chapter
This chapter covers the interaction between human beings and their environment in the tropical and subtropical regions. It highlights the life in the Amazon Basin and the GangaBrahmaputra Basin, focusing on climate, vegetation, wildlife, and human activities.
The Amazon Basin
Location and Climate
Location: The Amazon Basin is located near the equator, between 10°N and 10°S. It covers parts of Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and a small part of Venezuela.
Climate: The region experiences a hot and wet climate throughout the year. It rains almost daily, leading to high humidity and dense rainforest growth.
Vegetation and Wildlife
Vegetation: The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. The thick canopy prevents sunlight from reaching the ground, supporting only shadetolerant vegetation like orchids and bromeliads.
Wildlife: The rainforest is home to numerous species, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, and various reptiles. Insects, including many unique species, are also abundant.
Human Activities
Agriculture: The indigenous people practice slash and burn agriculture. They grow crops like tapioca, pineapple, sweet potato, coffee, maize, and cocoa.
Lifestyle: Men typically hunt and fish, while women take care of crops. They live in houses made from rainforest wood, often with thatched roofs or in communal homes called Malocas.
Challenges: Development activities, such as the construction of the TransAmazon Highway, have led to deforestation and habitat destruction.
The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin
Location and Climate
Location: The GangaBrahmaputra Basin lies in the subtropical region between 10°N to 30°N. It includes parts of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Climate: The region experiences a monsoon climate with hot summers, cool winters, and heavy rainfall from midJune to midSeptember.
Vegetation and Wildlife
Vegetation: The plains support tropical deciduous forests with trees like teak, sal, and peepal. The delta regions are covered with mangrove forests.
Wildlife: The basin hosts diverse wildlife, including tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses, and various fish species. The Sundarbans delta is particularly known for its Bengal tigers.
Human Activities
Agriculture: The fertile plains support intensive agriculture. Major crops include paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, sugarcane, and jute. Tea plantations are common in West Bengal and Assam.
Population: The plains have a high population density due to their fertile land and suitable living conditions.
Transportation and Urbanization: The region is wellconnected by rail, road, air, and waterways. Major cities include Kolkata, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, and Allahabad.
Human Impact and Environmental Concerns
Deforestation and Habitat Loss
Amazon Basin: Deforestation for agriculture and infrastructure development leads to loss of biodiversity and changes in climate patterns.
Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin: Urbanization and industrial activities contribute to pollution and habitat destruction.
Conservation Efforts
Amazon Basin: Efforts to preserve the rainforest include establishing protected areas and promoting sustainable land use practices.
Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin: Initiatives to clean the rivers and protect wildlife habitats are crucial for maintaining ecological balance.
Conclusion
Summary of the Chapter
The Amazon Basin and the GangaBrahmaputra Basin are crucial regions with unique environmental and human characteristics.
Understanding the interaction between humans and their environment in these regions helps in promoting sustainable development and conservation efforts.
Additional Information
Key Terms and Concepts
Slash and Burn Agriculture: A method of farming that involves clearing forests by burning trees and vegetation.
Maloca: Large communal homes found in the Amazon Basin.
Monsoon Climate: A climate characterized by seasonal changes in precipitation, with wet and dry seasons.
Important Examples and Places
Trans-Amazon Highway: A major road built to improve access to the Amazon Basin, impacting the environment.
Sundarbans: A mangrove area in the GangaBrahmaputra delta, home to the Bengal tiger.
Notable Challenges
Deforestation: Both regions face significant deforestation due to human activities.
Pollution: Industrial and urban waste contribute to the pollution of rivers in the GangaBrahmaputra Basin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Amazon Basin and the GangaBrahmaputra Basin.
Near the equator, between 10°N and 10°S, covering parts of Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.
A hot and wet climate throughout the year.
Dense rainforest with a thick canopy.
Monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, and various reptiles.
Slash and burn agriculture.
Tapioca, pineapple, sweet potato, coffee, maize, and cocoa.
It has led to deforestation and habitat destruction.
In the subtropical region between 10°N to 30°N, including parts of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
A monsoon climate with hot summers, cool winters, and heavy rainfall from midJune to midSeptember.
Tropical deciduous forests and mangrove forests in delta regions.
Tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses, and various fish species.
Agriculture.
Paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, sugarcane, and jute.
Tea plantations.
Kolkata, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, and Allahabad.
Deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
Pollution and habitat destruction.
A method of farming that involves clearing forests by burning trees and vegetation.
A large communal home found in the Amazon Basin.
Rail, road, air, and waterways.
Establishing protected areas and promoting sustainable land use practices.
Initiatives to clean the rivers and protect wildlife habitats.
It is a mangrove area in the GangaBrahmaputra delta, home to the Bengal tiger.
The heavy rainfall supports the growth of waterintensive crops like paddy.
Chapter 6: Human Environment Interactions The Tropical and the Subtropical Region MCQs
1. The Amazon River Basin is located in which part of the world?
2. What is the main cause of the depletion of rainforests?
3. Which of the following is a major crop grown in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
4. The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin is primarily located in which climatic zone?
5. What type of vegetation is predominantly found in the Amazon Basin?
6. Which of the following animals is commonly found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta?
7. What is the staple food of the people living in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
8. What is the main occupation of the people living in the Amazon Basin?
9. Which river is not a tributary of the Ganga?
10. Why is the Amazon Basin sparsely populated?
11. The Amazon River was discovered by which explorer?
12. Which practice is commonly used by the people in the Amazon Basin for agriculture?
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