- Tropical Rainforest
- Location: Restricted pockets in the Western Ghats (Kerala and Karnataka) and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Characteristics: Lush green forests with towering trees, abundant rainfall, and high humidity. The dense canopy cover shades the forest floor, creating a cool and damp environment. Epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants) and lianas (woody vines) are characteristic features of this biome.
- Tropical Evergreen Forest
- Location: The Western Ghats along the western coast of India and some parts of Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya).
- Characteristics: Dense forests with a multi-layered canopy dominated by tall evergreen trees like rosewood, mahogany, and peepal. These forests receive moderate to high rainfall and have well-developed understories with shrubs, herbs, and ferns.
- Tropical Deciduous Forest
- Location: Widespread in India, covering large parts of central, eastern, and southern India.
- Characteristics: These forests experience distinct seasonal variations with hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. The trees shed their leaves during the dry season, giving the forest a characteristic seasonal appearance. Common trees include sal, teak, and neem.
- Tropical Thorn Forest
- Location: Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Deccan Plateau.
- Characteristics: Adapted to survive in hot and dry conditions, these forests are dominated by thorny trees and shrubs like acacia, babool, and cactus. The vegetation is sparse, and the ground is often covered with shrubs and grasses.
- Montane Forest
- Location: The Himalayas in the north and mountain ranges in southern India (Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats).
- Characteristics: High-altitude forests with distinct vegetation patterns depending on elevation. Coniferous trees like pine, cedar, and fir dominate the higher reaches, while broadleaf trees like oak and rhododendron are found at lower elevations. These forests are crucial for water conservation and soil erosion control.
- Littoral and Swamp Forest
- Location: Along the coasts of India, particularly in the deltas of major rivers like the Ganges, Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna.
- Characteristics: Mangrove forests are the most prominent type of littoral and swamp forest in India. These salt-tolerant trees and shrubs thrive in the intertidal zone, where freshwater and saltwater mix. They provide vital breeding grounds for fish and crustaceans and act as a natural barrier against cyclones and storm surges.
- Desert
- Location: The Thar Desert in western Rajasthan.
- Characteristics: Arid region with scanty rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation. Shrubs, cacti, and drought-resistant grasses are the dominant plants. Animals like camels, desert foxes, and blackbucks have adapted to survive in these harsh conditions.