Classified on the Basis of Composition
Based on the composition the forests are divided as follows:
Broad-Leaf Forests
- These forests are found in regions with warm and humid climate including tropical and subtropical regions.
- The seasonal leaf fall contributes to a nutrient-rich forest floor, that promotes soil fertility.
- Broad-leaf forests in India are important for local communities as they provide timber for construction, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products like medicinal herbs and fruits, thus supporting livelihoods.
- Broad-leaf forests covers approximately 94% of the total forested area.
Coniferous Forests
- Coniferous forests, characterized by cone-bearing evergreen trees,are found in cold climates characterized by low precipitation and long winters.
- These are found primarily in the northern and northwestern parts of the country, including states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
- They are well-adapted to adverse climatic conditions. Needle-like leaves helps to reduce water loss and enable them to adapt to extreme temperatures.
- Coniferous forests typically have acidic soil.
- Coniferous forests includes around 6.50% of the total forested land.
Types of Forests in India
Discover the various Types of forests in India, exploring the rich diversity of Indian forest types ecosystems.
Types of Forests in India: Different types of forests cover 24.56% of the land area in India. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has produced the “India State of Forest Report 2021,” which states that as of 2021, India’s total forest and tree cover area is 80.9 million hectares. The states of Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra comprise the top five states in India in terms of forest cover. India is one of the top ten countries with vast forests.
There are six main types of forests in India depending on the prevailing vegetation and climate. In this article, we will look into the different types of forests in India in detail.
Table of Content
- Types of Forests in India
- Classified on the Basis of Annual Rainfall
- Classified on the Basis of Geographical Distribution
- Classified on the Basis of Administration
- Classified on the Basis of Constitution of India
- Classified on the Basis of Composition
- Classification According to Density
- Tropical Evergreen Forests India
- Tropical Deciduous Forests India
- Scrub Forests India
- Desert Vegetation India
- Moist Evergreen Forests
- Mangrove Forests India
- Open Forest India
- Moderately Dense Forest India
- Extremely Dense Forest India
- Northern Subtropical Forests India
- Forest Cover in India
- Biodiversity in Indian Forests
- Other Type of Forests
- Forest Report 2021 in India