Climatic Conditions: Tropical Deciduous Forests grow in regions that receive rainfall between 200 cm and 100 cm. The annual temperature varies from 24°C to 27°C.
Distribution: Tropical Deciduous Forests are found in West Odisha, eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and northeastern states of the country.
Characteristic Features of Tropical Deciduous Forests
- These forests are also known as monsoon forests. These forests are largely found in India.
- Based on the availability of water, these forests can be classified into moist deciduous forests and dry deciduous forests.
- The trees of the forest shed their leaves from six to eight weeks to conserve water.
- Tropical deciduous forests are commercially exploited and provide valuable timber.
Important Species of Trees and their Uses
- Sal: It is used for making beams, doors, and window posts.
- Teak: It is hard and durable and thus is used in construction, shipbuilding, making furniture, railway carriages, and bridges.
- Shisham: Its wood is hard and durable. It is used in construction, furniture making, and for making bullock carts, agricultural implements, and musical instruments. It is also used for decorative ornamental carving.
- Mahua: Oil is extracted from its fruit, while wine is made from its flowers.
- Palas: Its leaves are used for rearing shellac worms.
- Semul: As its timber is soft and white, it is used for making toys, packing cases, matchboxes and plywood. A soft fiber is yielded from its fruit which is used in pillows.
- Sandalwood: It is used for making statues and ornamental objects. It is used in making aromatic substances and for extracting sandalwood oil. It is in great demand in India and abroad.
- Khair: Its hardwood is used for making plows, handles for knives, daggers, and swords.
- Axlewood: It is used for making furniture, kitchen cabinets, radio, and TV cabinets and wardrobes.
Also, Read Montane Forests in India