Forests: Our Lifeline

• Seed Dispersal: Animals eat fruits and drop seeds at different places. This helps new plants to grow.
• Manure: Animal dung provides nutrients to the seedlings to grow.
• Pollination: Insects, birds and bees help in pollination of flowers.

Forests act as a natural absorber of rainwater. The canopy and layers of vegetation slow down the speed of raindrops. Roots of trees hold the soil and allow water to seep into the ground (Infiltration). This prevents surface runoff and thus prevents floods.

Decomposers are micro-organisms that feed on dead plants and animals and convert them into humus.

Two examples: Bacteria and Fungi.

Role: They recycle nutrients back into the soil, which are used by plants. They keep the forest clean.

Plants perform Photosynthesis where they take in Carbon dioxide and release Oxygen. Animals take in Oxygen and release Carbon dioxide. Forests contain huge number of plants, thus they provide oxygen to animals and maintain the balance of O2 and CO2 in the atmosphere.

In a forest, dead plants and animals are decomposed by micro-organisms (decomposers) into Humus. This humus is absorbed by plant roots as nutrients. Thus, everything is recycled and nothing goes to waste.

1. Wood (Timber, Fuel)
2. Medicines (Herbs)
3. Gum
4. Spices
5. Paper

• (a) The insects, butterflies, honeybees and birds help flowering plants in pollination.
• (b) A forest is a purifier of air and water.
• (c) Herbs form the lowest layer in the forest.
• (d) The decaying leaves and animal droppings in a forest enrich the soil.

We should worry because:

1. Decrease in forests increases Carbon dioxide, leading to Global Warming.
2. Floods will become more frequent.
3. Soil erosion will increase, turning land into deserts.
4. Animals will lose shelter and may endanger our ecosystem.

Variety of plants (Biodiversity) provides food and shelter for herbivores. More herbivores mean more food for carnivores. This variety helps the forest to regenerate and grow. Decomposers recycle nutrients. Every organism has a role in the food chain.

• Clouds -> Rain
• Plants -> Oxygen (Release)
• Animals -> Carbon dioxide (Release)
• Roots -> Soil/Water table

(iv) Kerosene (It is a petroleum product).

(ii) Plants and animals in a forest are not dependent on one another. (This is incorrect).

(iv) humus

• Crown: Branchy part of tree above stem.
• Canopy: Roof-like covering formed by branches of tall trees.
• Understorey: Layers below canopy (Shrubs, Herbs).
• Forest Floor: Covered with dead leaves, twigs, fruits. Dark coloured.

• Food Chain: Grass -> Insect -> Frog -> Snake -> Eagle.
• Decomposers: Fungi/Bacteria convert dead matter to Humus.
• Nutrient Cycle: Plants take nutrients from soil -> Animals eat plants -> Animals die -> Decomposers return nutrients to soil.

• Green Lungs: Balance O2 and CO2. Purify air.
• Water Purifier: Charge groundwater.
• Soil Protector: Prevent soil erosion.
• Noise Absorber: Absorb noise pollution.

• Deforestation: Cutting down of forests.
• Afforestation: Planting trees to create forest.
• Humus: Dark organic matter formed by decomposition. Increases soil fertility.

• Forests cover 1/3rd of earth's land surface.
• Decomposers release heat during decomposition.
• If forests disappear, we will have no oxygen, no rain, and extreme heat.