corona cia food we. Aone pee sarge are of land covered thickly joo H ent kinds of trees, shrubs, herbs, oan dl eepers and climbers (Fig. 17.1), Forest en ne to many animals and plant species. is? mover approximately one-third of the yore yal and surface, roughly about 3.9 cats ares, excluding the polar regions and pillion nde How do plants and animals depend gee yy other in a forest? Why are forests of en for us ? Why are forests being cut at a impo rate? How has deforestation led to drastic tater Sn our environment? Let us find the diange® 1 These questions in this chapter. But sswers OF jets first KNOW the structure of a forest. al ig. 17.1 A forest ‘THE STRUCTURE OF A FOREST The type of vegetation and animals found in different forests vary depending on the climatic conditions of the region the forestissituated in. ‘Morest consists of different layers of vegetation. ‘The three main layers of a forest starting from top. to ground are canopy, understorey and forest floor (Fig. 17.2). The part of a tree above the trunk which consists of branches, is knownas the crown Coidaua Learning Series asmart Class Software on the smart board in class to explore the structure of forests and undefstand. H forest floor Fig. 17-2 Different layers of a vegetation in a tropical rainforest of the tree, The crowns are of different types and sizes. The amount of sunlight available in each layer of the forest decides which type of plants may grow and survive there, It also decides the habitat of various animals. 1. Canopy Layer ‘The forest's top layer consists of the branches and leaves of tall trees forming a kind of roof or ‘umbrella over the smaller trees and other plants in the forest. The uppermost branches and leaves of tall trees which actlike aroof orumbrellaover theCO OX ——&«_ — ‘Smaller trees in the forest is called canopy. It has Lall, evergreen trees with large, green leaves. The branches overlap each other forming a cor cover of dense leaves. This layer is so de very little sunlight penetrates through it and reaches the lower layers of the forest. A large variety of birds, bats, monkeys and insects live here. Some animals live solely in the canopy region. They donot move downto the ground at all inuoUs se that 2. Understorey Layer The layer of vegetation in a forest just below the canopy is called understorey. It mainly has different horizontal layers. Below the tall trees are smaller trees and below which are the shrubs and tall grasses. The lowest layer is formed of herbs. Plants such as orchids, palms and ferns grow in this region. A large variety of insects, birds, snakes, lizards and carnivorous predators such as jaguars, pythons and leopards live here. 3. Forest Floor This region receives very little amount of sunlight. Only plants adapted to grow with very less light can survivein this damp, warm and dark region of the forest. The forest floor has various kinds of small leafless plants such as mosses and lichens. The floor is covered with a layer of dead and decaying leaves, fruits, seeds, twigs and small worms. Alarge variety of insects, millipedes, ants and beetles are found on the forest floor. The largest animals in the forests such as tigers, lions, deer, bears, etc, live on the forest floor. To show that heat is given out of decay 3 Things needed: Leaves and 1 Remove the covering of soil after 3-4 days an feel the pit inside. Observation: The pit feels warm inside the soit, ‘Conclusion: This shows that heat is given oy, during the process of decay, \ IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS Forests provide us many things we need. Besides, they play a very important role in maintaining thy environmental balance. Let us understand how | forestsareimportant forus. 1. Forests-A Source of Wood A variety of trees growing in the forests like teak, sheesham, rosewood and sal are the sources of wood. Good quality wood is used to make furniture, boats, sports goods and for constructing houses. Wood is used as a fuel (or firewood) in many households for cooking food. Wood is also used for the production of paper which is used for making books, magazines and newspapers (Fig, 173). ra Fig. 17.3 Wood is used for making various things. 2. Forests—A Source of Variety of Products Several plants that grow in forests are used in the preparation of medicines. The bark of Cinchonatree is the source of medicine called quinine, used for treatment of malaria disease. A few trees containa substance known as taxol which helps fight certain types of cancer. Turpentine, which is produced from resin or gum of pine trees, is used for thinning, paints and varnishes. Rubber comes from rubber trees. Gum trées (babool, kikar) yield gum. The oil extracted from trees like Eucalyptus, and sandalwood is used to make dyes and perfumes. Cordova Learning Sevies GID Scanned with CamScanner ~tS St 3, Forests Maintain Balance of Gases "ets maintain the natural balance of carbon vide andl oxygenin theatmosphere by using up isyn dioxide and releasing oxygen during sari ynthesis. In this way, forests purify the air hotos ‘ rarevveas green lungs in nature, and serve as 8 4 Forests Maintain Water Cycle in Nature nthe forests recycle large quantity of water Water gets evaporated into the atmosphere by Jeaves of plants by the process known as transpiration. Gradually, water vapour forms clouds and falls on the earth as rainfall, Thus, forests increase rainfall in the region. 5, Forests Prevent Soil Erosion ‘The removal of top fertile soil from a region by wind, rain orrunning water is called soil erosion, Forests prevent soil erosion. The roots of trees bind the soil and save it from being washed away by water or rain or blown away by the wind. Thus, foresis prevent soil erosion and help in the ‘Trees il regularly, conservation of oil. 6. Forests Prevent Floods and Replenish Groundwater - Forests act as a big check dam in the region. They “slow down the flow of rainwater, reduce its force and-helps control floods, The trees in the forest allow water to percolate into the ground. This helps in replenishing the groundwater in the region. 7. Forests Provide Food and Shelter to Wildlife Many plants and animals are found in forests. Forest is their natural habitat. Many tribal people ofour country live in forests. They get food, shelter, waterand medicinal plants from the forests. 8. Forests Reduce Pollution Forests absorb carbon dioxide and reduce its Concentration in the atmosphere. Trees bind soil Particles together°and decrease the dust contamination in the air. These dust particles are called Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM). ‘Trees present in the forests act as sound absorbers and reduce noise pollution. 9. Recreation Some forests have been developed into Fecreational parks. In these parks, people may enjoy camping, hiking and trekking and also go forrelaxation, INTERDEPENDENCE OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS INAFOREST The plants and animals in a forest depend on each other for their survival. Dependence of Plants on Animals 1, Animals produce carbon dioxide during respiration which is taken up by the plants for photosynthesis to produce food. 2. Animals like butterflies, honeybees, birds and bats, help pollinate flowersin the forest. 2 . Animals also help in the dispersal of fruits and seeds over long distancesin the forest. 4. Animals’ excreta and their dead bodies are converted into humus in the soil by the action of decomposers. The humus acts as manure and provides minerals for the growth of plants. Dependence of Animals on Plants 1. Animals directly or indirectly depend on plants for food. .. Tall trees give shelter to various animals. Most birds make their nests on branches of the trees, Animalslike monkeys and apes live on trees. 3. Plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis whichis taken up by animals for respiration. FOOD CHAIN ‘We know that all animals, whether herbivores or carnivores, directly or indirectly depend on plants for food. Organisms. which feed on plants x Scanned with CamScanner(herbivores) often get eaten by other organisms (carnivores). A series of organisms linked together by the process of eating and being eaten for food is calleda food chain. For example, grass is eaten by a grasshopper (insect), which in turn, is eaten by a frog (primary carnivore). The frog is eaten by a snake (secondary camivore). The snake is eaten by an eagle (top forms a food chain. carnivore). Th Flow of Energyina Food Chain Allorganisms get energy from the food they eat. A food chainisa simple representation of the flow of energy innature. The sun is the ultimate source of energy on the earth. Plants get light energy from the sun and change it into chemical energy during photosynthesis. When animals eat the plants, this yy is transferred to the animals. When an animal eats this animal, this energy gets transferred to that animal. For example (Fig. 17.4), when a grasshopper eats grass, the energy from grass gets transferred into the grasshopper. When a frog eats this grasshopper, the energy from the grasshopper gets transferred into the frog. When a snake eats this frog, the energy gets transferred into the snake. When any of these organisms die, the energy passes into the decomposers. So, energy is always transferred from producers to primary ek Z wasshopper fx snake oe a : ‘decomporers Fig, 17.4 Flow of energy in a food chain ce an gas consumers and then to secondary consumers. The food chain always starts from the producers. Decomposers play their role when organisms die. FOOD WEB Innature, we see a number of food chains. All the food chains are interlinked. Several food chains ofa region are interconnected to form a food web (Fig. 17.5). A food web is a complex feeding system. caterp rabbit fox Fig. 17.5 A food web If any one member is affected, the food web gets disturbed. For example, if all the lions disappeat from a forest, the population of deer would increase. If there are too many deer in‘a forest, there will not be sufficient grass for all of them to eat. Some deer will, therefore, starve and die. In other words, both deer and grass in the forest are affected ifall the lions disappear. Scanned with CamScanner Cordaua Learning Series SEDTick (V) the correct options: 1, Which one of the following is not the main I (a) forestfloor — (*) (b)_ vegetation ultiple Choice Questions (McQs)———__ layer of a forest? O © understorey 2, Birds, batsand monkeys live on : canopy oO 3 Crimes OC) aor : © © canopy noneofthese ©) 4 OE ine Sen ee o {6 cecotiposers CO @) allofthese oO a Oe eet Oe ret OO meatier DEFORESTATION Clearing a forest by cutting trees to fulfil our need of wood and land is called deforestation. The various causes of deforestation include technological advancements, increase in population, wood for industries, construction of dams and forest fires. Causes of Deforestation 1. Increase in population: With increasing population [Fig. 17.6 (a)] and technological advancements more and more land is required for housing colonies, industries, educational institutions, offices, etc. Forest area is cleared toobtain this land. 2. Wood for industries: With the increase of population and better standards of living, the demand for the wood in the industries has increased many times for making various wood prodiscts, leading to the depletion of forests: 3. Construction of dams: A large forest area has tobe cleared to construct a dam and this causes deforestation. 4. Forest fires: Once the forest fire starts, it does not stop easily and many trees are burnt causing deforestation [Fig. 17.6 (b)]. Effects of Deforestation 1. Deforestation causes change in the: rainfall {a) increasing population (b) forest fire Fig. 17.6 Some causes of deforestation pattern, The deforested area receives less rainfall causing drought condition. . Deforestation causes soil erosion [Fig. 17.7(a)], leading to loss of soil fertility. . Burning of wood, obtained from defore- station, causes increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Excess of carbon dioxide causes air pollution Fig. 17.7(b)]. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and causes global warming (increase in earth's temperature). (© air polltion and global warming Fig. 17.7 Effects of deforestation (a) soil erosion Scanned with CamScannerof trees of the forest, the using flood conditions. 4. In the absence rainwater flows faster adverse climatic changes: Def n cause in the ate becomes warmer and ¢ of humidity in the deforested area. 6. In the absence nd plants, the animals ill not get food and shelter, CONSERVATION OF FORESTS. Since forests are very beneficial to us; other and the environment, we must conserve sts. Some of the animal our for ays to conserve forests are given below __ Excessive cutting down of fores hould notbe allowed by the government. le should be adopted. Tree for a tree’ principl For every tree that has been fallen, anew tres should be planted, Paper products such ooks and notebooks, etc. as old newspapers, magazines, bi should berecycled to conserve forest Usage of wood as a fuel should be discouraged. ‘Any breakout of fire in the forest should be fought quickly using modern methods. Forests must be protected from insects, pest and infection by treating them insecticides and pesticid« VERY HOUSE- Uj jOINA” an Mantri Ujjwala Oa ityeae io] jean cooking fuel= LPG to 7 TC Pradh provide a cl the health of all, especially women. Ur 5 crore LPG connections will be. families. PL (Below Poverty Line) households in India scheme, 9 provided to B A number of firewood, 0 cooking. The smoke from ceases pollution and also adverse health of people causing eV! AFFORESTATION With the growing awareness among people, the importance of forests d, Special drives of planting meae te for Plants and animals) y "are dependent. _on each other CONCEPT MAP FOR REVISION - FORESTS: OUR LIFELINE Blantation of Tage number of trees uppermost branches PON ‘and eaves of tall >) trees sch sea layer of vegetation event flood and replenish grour + Reducepollution. = ‘ + Provide food and shelter to wildlife + Recreation : Class Response A. Oral questions: 1. Whatare forests? 2, _Howmuch of our earthis covered with forests? 3. Nameany three trees from whichwe get wood, 4. Whats understoreyina forest? B. Science quiz: Namethe three main layers of aforest. 2 Nameasecondary carnivore, 3. Name the(a)plants (b) animals found on the forest floor. 4 Name theanimals foundin the understorey layer ofthe forest. Worksheet E A. Tick (/) the correctoptions: ‘Microorganisms act upontthe dead plants and nimalsto produce E (a) sand O cay © ©bumus © @wood : Qe 1 Cordova Reanrning Series Scanned with CamScanner0 2 The topmost layer of aforestis ___—_—_—" (2) forestfloor © (b)eanopy (cjunderstorey (_) (d)herblayer oO 3 ichigo? E - (a) monkey () (b)elephant () (c)dog € ~) (deer O 4 Wnchotnettoungosteceaingegentteeeonen? (a) herbivores O carnivores () (c)topcarnivores ( CO) scavengers QO 5. Defoestatioleadstoa deceasein i (a) rainfall QO ()pressure O (temperature O @wind © 4 B. Circlethe odd ones. Givereasons for your choice: 5 1. grasshopper deer frog elephant i 2. tiger frog rabbit eagle ‘ 3. wood gum cotton wax § 4. monkey squirrel snake bacteria E ©. Fillintheblanks: 1. Decomposersare agents of the environment. 2. Several food chains of region interconnect toforma . 3. Forestservesas lungsinnature. 4. Specialdriveof planting treesiscalled j aqnie>—- A ‘Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Scientifi [Practical skills: 1. Which ofthe followingis the effect of deforestation? (a) soilerosion (_) (b) flood © ©airpolution OE Mallofthese z Which of the followingisakind of cleansing agent of the environment? (2) decomposers () (b)scavengers (C) (¢) bothofthese (). (d)noneofthese 3. Forestshavebeen cleared for (2) agriculture) (b) industry (exc) ‘housing OQ Mallofthese B, Very Short Answer Questions: 1. Whatismeant by ‘canopy’ ina forest? sia What do the interconnected food chains form? 3. What dowecallthe cover of branches oftalltreesinaforest? 4, Whatismeantby'deforestation'? C. Short Answer Type-I Questions: 4. Define food chain. 2, Whatismeantby foodweb’? 3. Whythereis darkinsidetthe forest? 4, Whataredecomposers? D. Short Answer Type-t! Questions: 1. Howare plantsbeneficial toanimals? 2, Whatarethe causes of deforestation? 3; _Howare forests important tous? Or Ore Scanned with CamScannerWhatare the ways to conserve forests? . Explainhow decomposers help in maintainin, §, explainwhy thereisnowasteina forest, ong Answer Questions: 1. Whateare the harmful effects of deforestation? +. Givefivewaysinwhich forestsareusefultous, 3, Forests provide shelter to a wide variety of organisms and donotneed ourcareto sustain, as nature fulfil {@) Giveexamples of some animals thatare only foundin oreste (b) What do youlearn from forests? f,. HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) Questions: a Recyclingof paper helpsinthe conservationof forests. Explain, 3, Whyare forests called green ungs!? 6. application Based Questions: is FE TS eet ees becomes more than thenumber of herbivores? ives ina hilly region. Landslides ar ‘ ai ae Sees theatéa? Bes we at her place. Can this be due to uncontrolled Neon 1. Paheli while moving in a forest observed that there was no noise pollution, though lots of heavy vehicles were passing from the nearby highway. Explain why? ‘Ans. Trees absorb noise and reduce noise pollution, Thus, Paheli observes that there was no noise pollution while movingina forest. th the supply ofnutrientstothegrowingplantsinaforest, also mi laintain balance of nature. all of theirrequirem, eee ents. “Iam ‘Two friends shared their experiences of their vacation trip to two different forests. Do you think they would have seen the same type of plants and animals during their respective trips? Give reason. Ans. The dlimatic conditions of two forests may vary and the type of animals and plants found there may alsobedifferent. Thus, they would not have seen the same type of plants and animals. ‘For more NCERT Exemplar Questions (solved) login to! [Link] | Home Assignment/Group Activity/Project ~ ~ Make posters highlighting the importance of forests and saving trees. Field Visit ta park or a forest in your neighbourhood. Observe the trees and note down the following: (a) Local - names: __ ames of trees and shrubs, with the help of your elders/ teachers. (b) Height of trees and shrubs. (c)Sh ape Of crowns of trees. Also; draw these shapes. : cussion ; : ss in'the class: ‘Importance of forests and saving trees’ Scanned with CamScanner