Friday, April 14, 2023

Bio-climatic Regions Vs Agro-Climatic Regions


Bioclimatic regions refer to areas of the world with similar climatic conditions that support similar vegetation types and animal communities. Bioclimatic regions play an essential role in understanding and managing natural resources and ecosystems, and they provide a framework for ecological research and conservation planning. 

The classification of bioclimatic regions is based on the combination of different climatic factors, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and seasonality.

There are several systems used to classify bio-climatic regions, and the most widely recognized one is the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which classifies climate into five main categories: tropical, dry, temperate, continental, and polar. Each category is further divided into subcategories based on temperature and precipitation patterns.

Other bioclimatic classification systems include the Holdridge life zones system, which uses vegetation as a primary factor in classification, and the Bailey ecological system, which considers both climate and vegetation as primary factors.

The characteristics of bioclimatic regions can vary depending on the classification system used, but in general, they share some common features. Some of the main characteristics of bioclimatic regions include:

  • Similar climatic conditions: Bioclimatic regions are defined by their similar climatic conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, and seasonality. Regions within the same bioclimatic classification will typically have similar weather patterns and climate.

  • Similar vegetation types: Bioclimatic regions support similar vegetation types that have adapted to the local climate conditions. For example, tropical bioclimatic regions typically support lush rainforests, while temperate regions support deciduous forests.

  • Similar animal communities: Bioclimatic regions also support similar animal communities that have adapted to the local climate and vegetation types. For example, savannah bioclimatic regions may support large herds of grazing animals, while boreal forests support a range of large predators and smaller herbivores.

  • Ecological importance: Bioclimatic regions are ecologically important as they provide habitats for a range of plant and animal species. They also support important ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and soil conservation.

  • Vulnerability to climate change: Bioclimatic regions are also vulnerable to climate change, as changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can affect the distribution and survival of plant and animal species. Understanding the characteristics of bioclimatic regions is important for predicting and mitigating the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.


India has several bio-climatic regions, each with its unique climatic conditions, vegetation types, and animal communities. Here are some of the main bio-climatic regions of India:


  1. Tropical rainforest region: This region is found along the western coast of India, in the states of Kerala and Karnataka. It has a hot and humid climate with high rainfall, and supports lush evergreen forests with a diverse range of plant and animal species.

  2. Tropical moist deciduous forest region: This region is found in the central and eastern parts of India, and experiences high rainfall during the monsoon season. It supports a mix of deciduous and evergreen forests with a range of tree and shrub species.

  3. Tropical dry deciduous forest region: This region is found in the central and eastern parts of India and experiences a dry season. It supports deciduous forests with a range of tree and shrub species.

  4. Tropical thorn forest region: This region is found in the western and central parts of India, and experiences hot and dry weather for much of the year. It supports thorny scrub forests with a range of plant and animal species adapted to arid conditions.

  5. Montane forest region: This region is found in the Himalayan mountain range and supports a mix of evergreen and deciduous forests at high altitudes. It has a temperate climate with cold winters and heavy snowfall.

  6. Alpine and tundra region: This region is found in the highest elevations of the Himalayan mountains and experiences extreme cold and snow. It supports alpine vegetation with a range of cold-adapted plant and animal species.

Overall, India's bioclimatic regions support a diverse range of ecosystems and biodiversity, and understanding their characteristics is important for conservation and sustainable development.

Climatic Regions Bio-climatic Regions


Agroclimatic Regions 

Agro Climatic regions are areas of the world with similar climatic conditions that support similar agricultural practices and crops. Agroclimatic regions provide a useful framework for understanding and managing agricultural production, as well as for developing policies and programs that support sustainable agriculture and food security.

The classification of agro climatic regions is based on a combination of climatic factors, such as temperature, precipitation, and seasonality, as well as soil type, topography, and other environmental factors that influence agricultural production.

There are several systems used to classify agro climatic regions, and they vary depending on the region of the world. 

For example, in India, the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning has developed a system that divides the country into 15 agroclimatic zones based on climatic conditions, soil type, and vegetation. Each zone is further divided into sub-zones based on specific crops and farming practices.

Similarly, in the United States, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has developed a system that divides the country into 11 agro climatic regions based on temperature, precipitation, and other climatic factors that affect agricultural production.


Agro Climatic Regions of India 

India has 15 agro climatic regions, each with its unique climatic conditions, soil types, and agricultural practices. Here are the 15 agro climatic regions of India:

  1. Western Himalayan Region: This region includes parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, and has a cold and dry climate with high altitudes and steep slopes. The soils are generally acidic and low in fertility. The main crops grown here are wheat, maize, and barley. 

  2. Eastern Himalayan Region: This region includes parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and West Bengal, and has a mild and humid climate with high rainfall and fertile soils. The region is rich in biodiversity and supports the production of tea, rice, maize, and wheat. 

  3. Lower Gangetic Plains Region: This region includes parts of West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, and has a hot and humid climate with fertile alluvial soils. The region is known for its rice-wheat cropping system and also grows sugarcane, maize, and vegetables.

  4. Middle Gangetic Plains Region: This region includes parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and has a hot and semi-arid climate with fertile soils. The region is known for its wheat-rice cropping system and also grows sugarcane, pulses, and oilseeds.

  5. Upper Gangetic Plains Region: This region includes parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and has a cold and dry climate with high altitude areas. The soils are generally acidic and low in fertility. The region grows wheat, rice, and sugarcane.

  6. Trans-Gangetic Plains Region: This region includes parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, and has a hot and semi-arid climate with fertile alluvial soils. The region is known for its rice-wheat cropping system and also grows sugarcane, maize, and vegetables.

  7. Eastern Plateau and Hills Region: This region includes parts of Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, and has a hot and humid climate with lateritic soils. The region grows rice, maize, and pulses and is also known for its forest produce like bamboo and medicinal plants.

  8. Central Plateau and Hills Region: This region includes parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, and has a hot and semi-arid climate with black and red soils. The region is known for its soybean cultivation and also grows cotton, pigeon pea, and groundnut.

  9. Western Plateau and Hills Region: This region includes parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, and has a hot and arid climate with sandy soils. The region is known for its cultivation of pearl millet and maize and also grows cotton and groundnut.

  10. Southern Plateau and Hills Region: This region includes parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, and has a hot and semi-arid climate  with red and black soils. The region grows sorghum, groundnut, and cotton and is also known for its horticulture crops like grapes and pomegranate.

  11. East Coast Plains and Hills Region: This region includes parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu, and has a hot and humid climate with alluvial and coastal soils. The region grows rice, sugarcane, and cotton and is also known for its shrimp and fish farming.

  12. Central Highlands Region: This region includes parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and has a hot and semi-arid climate with black soils. The region grows wheat, soybean, and pulses and is also known for its horticulture crops like oranges and grapes.

  13. Western Highlands Region: This region includes parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra, and has a hot and arid climate with sandy and rocky soils. The region is known for its cultivation of pearl millet and maize and also grows cotton and groundnut.

  14. North Eastern Region: This region includes parts of Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, and has a hot and humid climate with high rainfall and fertile soils. The region grows rice, tea, jute, and rubber and is also known for its horticulture crops like pineapples and oranges.

  15. Island Region: This region includes the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and has a tropical climate with sandy and alluvial soils. The region grows coconut, banana, and pineapple and is also known for its fish and seafood production.



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