In the monsoons, you may find many more plants and animals around. Where did these new plants and animals come from? Why could you not see them earlier?
New plants appear from seeds that were already present in the soil, waiting for favourable conditions like rain to sprout.
Many insects and creatures were already living in the soil but remained hidden or dormant during dry periods.
When the monsoons arrive, the wet soil provides the right conditions for seeds to germinate and for hidden creatures like earthworms, millipedes, and certain insects to come to the surface.
These organisms were always there but invisible during dry weather.
Explanation
The chapter's Note to the Teacher explains that some insects wait for the rains to emerge from the soil, and seeds of plants may remain in the soil for long periods and sprout when it rains or they are watered. This explains why more plants and animals appear during monsoons.
Solution Steps
Seeds were already present in the soil, waiting for favourable conditions like rain to sprout
Many insects and creatures were already living in the soil but remained hidden or dormant during dry periods
Monsoons provide wet soil conditions that enable seeds to germinate
Hidden creatures like earthworms, millipedes, and certain insects come to the surface when it rains
These organisms were always present but invisible during dry weather