re

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es 17 Forests: Our Lifeline
Learning Checklist
.Forest profile
Interdependence of plants and animals
.Uses of forests
.Destruction of forests
Conservation of forests

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Identify the source of the
products shown below.

Wooden chair
Firewood
Herbal tooth powder
Source: Source:. Honey
Source:
Source:
Forests help us in many ways to meet
our daily
from the Latin word
foris,
which requirements. The word forest comes
means'outdoors' or 'away from
Forests are home to different kinds of civilization'.
trees, shrubs, herbs,
Many herbivores depend on them for food. climbers and creepers.
Forests are home to
and animals too. We depend on forests for many kinds of birds
timber, wood, medicinal
gum, paper, fruits, etc. Forests also influence the plants, honey,
climate, the quality of air and
rainfall.

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 All the lower branches of the
canopy trees, shrubs, bushes and smaller trees
FOREST PROFILE of the understorey. Many birds,
insects and a few animals such as are a pa
varied heights and
sizes in bears live here. Animals such as deer, leopards and slotn
kinds of plants of bison, elephants, etc. eat the herbs, shrubs ana
There are differenttree above the stem, including
the branches dwell in the understorey.
torests. Parts of a
Depending on
leaves are collectively known as the
crown.
and of crowns. Trees
the type of trees, there are different shapes
have tapering crowns, while a neem Fig. 17.1: Different Forest Floor
belonging to the genus Pinus shapes of crowns
tree has a crown that looks like a globe (Fig. 17.1). This is the ground layer of a forest. The soil is moist with
water containing decaying leaves, fruits and animal
leaves
The ground of the forests is covered with Emergent matter (Fig. 17.5). This layer of forests is home to rabbits,
layer
and shrubs. Various kinds of animals dwell
on
snakes, frogs, earthworms, fungi, termites and insects.
trees in forests but at different heights. For The decomposers
the (microorganisms) present on the forest
example, birds live on the top branches of Canopy layer floor decompose dead plant and animal matter to form
trees, while monkeys use the lower branches fertile soil known as humus.
on the height of the
Fig. 17.5: Forest floor
as their homes. Depending
trees and the types of animals that live there,
forests are divided into layers. They are shown
Understorey
layer TNTERDEPENDENCE OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS
in figure 17.2. Plants and animals depend on each other. You
Forest floor Science in Context
have studied that plants (autotrophs) produce
Fig. 17.2: Forest profile The sun is the ultimate source of energy

Emergent layer are knowm the emergent

as
their own food by photosynthesis. Plants are
called producers. Animals (heterotrophs)
on our planet. Plants use the energy
from the sun during photosynthesis to
The branches on the topmost layer of the tallest trees such as deer, bison, zebra, elephants, etc., prepare food. Animals eat plants. So,
and receives sunlight in
layer. This layer is at a height of 40 metres from the ground known as herbivores, depend on plants for
the flow of energy is from producers to
this layer as it is easier for consumerS, where producers are always
abundance. Preying birds like hawks and eagles live on their food. Carnivores are the animals that at the start of a food chain.
them to spot their prey. feed on herbivores, for example, tiger, lion,
wolf, etc. Thus, both herbivores and carnivores
depend on plants for food and they are known as consumers
Canopy Layer
This layer is formed when trees growing close to each
other appear as a roof over the rest of the two floors below Food Chain
(Fig. 17.3). The canopy measures from about 20 metres to A food chain is formed when organism eats another organism for food.
one
For
40 metres above the ground. It has abundance of food; hence, for food. Frogs eat the
Fig. 17.3: Canopy of a forest example, grasshoppers depend grass and plants
on
it is a dweling place for many birds, insects and monkeys. This dependence of organisms
grasshoppers. Snakes eat frogs as their food (Fig. 17.6).
on one another for food forms a food chain.

Understorey Layer
This layer of a forest starts from the foot of trees and goes
up to 20 metres from the ground. The canopy blocks the
sunlight, so this layer has shade (Fig. 17.4). Frog
Snare
Grass Grasshopper
Fig. 17.4: The understorey Fig. 17.6: Food chain
of forests

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 depends directly on
The grasshopper When these animals move
food. It is a producer. from one place to another, the
eregrass produces its
own
then feeds on tne grasshopper. It fall off or some seeds seeds sticking to them
The frog ndy
grass. So, it is known as a primary on the producers and is called a secondary consumer may be let out in animal
consumer.

This process is known as the droppings, giving rise to new plants

Is, therefore, indirectlyondependent eat the secondary
consumers are dispersal of seeds by animals.
The snake then feeds theForestsfrog. The organisms that
such food chains.
called tertiary consumers. are home to many

both plants and animals for their

Revise awd Recall
There is another group of animals that dependsbear, wild boar, wild dogs, etc. are
on
Fill in the blanks.
food.They are called omnivores. For example,
crows, vultures and hyenas. 1. The second layer from the
omnivores. When animals die, their bodies are eaten by top of a forest profile is.
and animals get
This of animals is called scavengers. The bodies of dead plants
group
broken down into simple substances or are decomposed by decomposers like fungi and
(canopy/emergent)
Multiple food chains are interlinked together to form a.
bacteria present in the soil. The fertility of the soil is increased by these decomposers. (food chain/food web)
Plants and trees grow better if the soil is fertile. The herbivores depend on these plants
-of flowers leads to the
and trees, carnivores depend on the herbivores and the chain continues. reproduction of plants.
Consumers
(Pollination/Plucking)
The energy from the plants enters the
consumers in the form of food. This
eventually ends up at the decomposers
and is released into the soil. This is again
Producers Decomposers
Activity
Aim: To
understand the food chain and food web
used by the plants forming a cycle known Materials required: A roll of string. picture cards of
the cards around the neck of the
plants and animals (with a string to hang
as the cycle of nutrients (Fig. 17.7). students)
Nutrients in the Procedure:
SO 1. Ask the students to assemble in a circle.

Food Web Fig. 17.7: The cycle of nutrients 2. One animal card is given to each student.
3. Students should wear the card around their necks.

Multiple food chains are interlinked together to form afood web. This happens because 4. Start the activity (from a plant) with the help of a volunteer.
5. The volunteerhas to hold one end of the string roll and then pass the roll on to another student
secondary consumers depend on different types Bird who represents his/her dependent to form a food chain.
of animals (primary consumers). In the food web
given below, rats are eaten by snakes and also
6. Continue the same process until a web of strings is formed.
Eagle Conclusion: Each and every organism in an ecosystem is important and has a role toplay. Every
by eagles, and snakes that eat rats are eaten by Rat
organism is dependent on another organism for food. If one organism is eliminated from the
the eagles. This shows the interlinkage between Shake ecosystem, then there is an imbalance created due to which there is a probability of many other
organisms getting eliminated.
different food chains, which together forms the
food web (Fig. 17.8).
Fruits
Grasshopper
Frog Plant
uSES OF FORESTS
Fig. 17.8: A food web
Dependence of Plants on Animals Purification of Air
Not only do animals depend on plants, but plants depend on animals in many in forest. We know
Photosynthesis takes place in all kinds of plants, trees and algae
a
ways. Insects and birds feed on the nectar found in the flowers of and animals for
the process of pollination of flowers, which leads plants. This helps in that the process of photosynthesis releases oxygen used by plants
to the breathe out carbon dioxide.
reproduction of plants. breathing. After breathing oxygen, plants
in and animals
Fruits and seeds are produced after pollination. These are it is required as a source of carbon
then eaten by animals and This is used by the plants during photosynthesis as
some seeds may stick to the fur or skin of between the amount of oxygen and carbon
animals. for plants. In this way, a balance is formed
dioxide in the air.
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 However, due
to the exhaust gases This creates awareness about forests and animals and
lungs of nature. educates people about the
orests are also called the green the level of carbon dioxide
in the air is importance of forests.
vehicles and fumes from factories,
rom dioxide in the atmosphere has led to
in the level of carbon
ncreasing. This increase This is called global warming, If
an increase in the temperature of the planet
Earth.
the level of air pollution
and global DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS
keep
and more trees are planted, they
can
more
warming in check. Deforestation is the destruction of large amount of trees in a forest and overuse of forest
Some of the absorbed water resources. The following are the reasons for deforestation:
water from the soil.
Plants and trees in a forest absorb on the underside
of the leaves. This Construction of dams, highways
1S 10st the plant through the stomata present Science in Context
by to the atmosphere
in the form of and clearing of forests to convert
process is called transpiration. This water goes
and keeps the atmosphere cool. them into cultivable land and Smokejumpers are specially trained wildland
water vapour, which helps in the water cycle firefighters who provide an initial attack response
residential areas on wildfires. They are dropped to
fire-infested
areas from planes using parachutes to put ofi a
The need for timber and
Raintall Due to Forests medicinal plants, resulting in
forest fire. Smokejumpers are employed where
vast forestlands are present. Russia and the United
trees is released into the
Rainfall is dependent on forests. Excess of water from the illegal logging and smuggling of States of America have teams of smokejumpers.
transpiration. The water
atmosphere in the form of water vapour by the process of the precious forest products
in the formation of
released in the form of water vapour from the forests helps Construction of resorts in and around forests, leading to their destruction
to form rain. The
clouds by a process of condensation. Clouds undergo precipitation Lack of awareness in people about the importance of forests
water vapour transpired from the forests keep the forests cool. Overgrazing in forests by cattle from nearby villages
Water evaporates at a faster rate if there are no trees, thereby making the Earth Forest fires during dry summer months and also due to human negligence
devoid of water. The dead leaves that fall from the trees on the ground help retain
water. The canopy of the trees prevents the rain from hitting the ground directly. The
Poaching or hunting of animals for their meat, skin and bones, causing a decrease
in the number of animals and disturbance in the food chain
roots of the trees hold the soil and rainwater seeps into it, which helps to maintain
the water table. The absence of forests and trees may lead to floods, soil erosion,
Consequences of Detorestation
depletion in the water table and poor rainfall
With no plants and trees to hold the soil together, the soil gets washed away by
strong winds and flowing water
Prevention of Soil Erosion Things like wood, medicine and various other products, which we obtain
from
Soil erosion is the removal of the top layer of soil. This layer is fertile and the removal forests, would no longer be available if deforestation carries on indiscriminately.
of this layer makes the land barren. The roots of the trees hold the soil together and The most important consequence of deforestation is the change in climate.
the
help the water to infiltrate into the soil. In this way, soil erosion due to the runoff Without a forest cover, the amount of carbon dioxide will increase in
thee
water and wind is prevented by the forests. Hence, trees act as windbreakers. atmosphere. Being a greenhouse gas, it will aid in global warming, increasing
temperature on the Earth.
die. This will
Animals will lose their natural habitat and they might even
Uses of Forests in 0ur Daily Lite
eventually lead to extinction of different species.
We completely depend on the forests for our needs. Forests
provide us food,
medicinal plants, honey, firewood, timber, rubber, spices, perfumes, oils, resins, natural cONSERVATION OF FORESTS
dyes, etc. Forests are homes to many animals and provide food and shelter to them.
need of the hour. Even though forests
are being destroyed
Ecotourism and jungle safaris are very popular these Forest conservation is the
forests should be conserved from
further depletion for our
days. People like to spend their due to human activity,
holidays in the lap of nature. This can be done by hiking, camping, going on safaris etc.
own good.

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 about the hazards
of defores tation and
steps m u s t be taken
awareness
0,
preserving the rich
to create
resources of forests.
1s
disappearing. The
Keywords
the forest cover Crown: The part of the
be planted in wastelands where tree above
the stem that includes
Trees should trees in numbers is called afforestation. Canopy: The uppermost tree branches of tall trees branches and leaves
plantation of large
trees through
People and students should be encouraged
to plant more Understorey: The layer below the canopy made up of branches at
of the tree the lower level
programmes like "Vanamahotsava".
should be givento Producers: Plants that can prepare their own food
Awareness and education regarding the importance of forests
Consumers: Animals that depend on
people and students. plants for food
be prevented by providing
sufficient pastures in the Decomposers: The microorganisms that convert the dead matter
Overgrazing by cattle should animals into simple substances of plants and
areas near forests.
Food chain: A chain formed when
legal logging of trees for timber must be prevented. as food
one organism is eaten by another organism
Conversion of forestland for the purpose of industrialization must be stopped. Food web: Multiple food chains interlinked together
People who go on trekking and camping should be cautioned about the hazards of Deforestation: Large-scale destruction of forests
forest fires due to human negligence. Afforestation: Planting trees to increase the forest areas
Personnel in forest departments must be trained and equipped to control forest
fires.
Farmers must be educated to plan cultivation in their lands without cutting down trees. Summary influencing:
Climate

Every city should have a green patch reserved for developing parks. Prevention of
soil erosion
Water cycle
Obtaining
Air qualityy various products

Go Green
We should conserveour forests. One of the best ways through which we can contribute towards necessary for
Ttisby limitingthe use of forest products like paper, timber, firewood, etc. and not wasting them. are
A lifeline for
We should make wise use of paper, which is made by cutting trees, and not waste it. We should use provides forest-dwelling
both the sides of a paper. Canopy communities
ayers
Forests
Case
Food and provides Emergent are

Study: Joint Forest Management in Haryaa shelter for destruction

Many people living close to forests animals, birds leads to destruction

depend on them for firewood, medicinal plants and grazing
their animals. Forests have
forest products has a drasticbecome their only way to live and earn money, but excessive usage of
effect on the forests.
andinsects providesUnderstorey
So many plans have beenimplemented by government and non-governmental organizations to Endangers life
help these people and at the
that has been same time, conserve the forests for the future. One of the models LProvioesForest floor and
successfully implemented in Haryana is knowm as Joint Forest Management
the involvement of the by
environment
Haryana Forest
Department and the local communities by
cooperatives. Training
forests and to conserve programmes are conducted educate the people about theforming
them for the future. Water to
increase in the Lack of food
products of the
growth of plants and trees. Different cooperatives harvesting methods are implemented for the level of carbon and shelter for
bamboo and other products to depend on various products like fodder, grasses, dioxide in the animals
prepare ropes and bamboo products and for their animals to
Permits are issued for the cooperatives Earth's
and also to graze.
keep check on the activities inside the forests.
a atmosphere
 EXERCISE D. Define the following terms.
1. Primary consumer
2.
A. Choose the correct option
for each of the following 3. Scavengers battt eesits Secondary consumer
material is the 4. Dispersal of seeds
forest that has dead and
decaying 5. Global warming
1.The layer of a (c) canopy
(d) emergent layer
(a) forest floor (b) understorey water through the roots E. Give reasons for the
cycle,
water the trees in a forest
absorb following.
AS
a part of the
and release it into the atmosphere
in the form of
1. We should worry about the issues related
to forests far from us.
(c) carbon dioxide (d) nitrogen 2. Deforestation may lead to floods.
(a) water vapour (b) oxygen
one of the following: 3. Human negligencecauses forest fire.
3. The canopy layer of a forest is formed by
the crowns of
trees 4. Forests help in maintaining the
(a) the trunks of trees (b) oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle.
(d) All of the above 5. Deforestation can increase the
(c)the roots oftrees temperature of the earth.
4. Which of the following can form food chains? F. Answer the following questions briefly.
b) Rice grains, sparrow, eagle 1. What is special about a forest floor?
(a) Rice grains, farmer, elephant
Rice grains, mouse, cat (d) Both (b) and (c) 2. How is a food chain formed? Give an
(c) example.
5. Which of the following acts as windbreakers? 3. Write a note on the different
types of consumers.
(a) Soil (b) Trees Water (d) Light 4. How do cattle destroy forests?
B. Fill in the blanks with the correct words. 5. Why are forests called the green lungs of nature?
their food the
forests, all the kinds of animals ultimately depend for
on
1. In G. Answer the following questions in detail.
(plants/air) 1. Explain food web with a suitable example.
2. The topmost layer in a forest profile is called-
2. Explain the uses of forests.
(understorey/emergent layer) 3. What are the effects of deforestation?
3. An increase in the number of herbivores is kept in control by the looa
-. (carnivores/producers)
4. Suggest some ways to conserve forests. atosos
4. A forest floor has microorganisms that depend on dead matter the help in the 5. Write a note on the cycle of nutrients. 0 f mo
cycle of . (nutrients/water)
5. In the layers of a forest, herbs are a part of the .
canopy)
(understorey/ COGNITIVE CORNER
C. State whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Critical Thinking
1. Eagles and vultures decompose dead bodies of animals. 1. Is growing only one type of fast-growing trees to regain a forest a better option
2. Deforestation can lead to the extinction of animal species. than growing different types of trees?
3. Herbivores will have enough food if there is an increased number of 2. Cycling of paper helps in conservation of forests. Justify.
carnivores in forests.
3. What would happen if forests disappear?
4. Food chains can be linked together.
5. A food chain includes both producers and consumers.

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