Lesson: Forests our lifeline

When do some animals give a warning cry?

Animals give a warning sign on seeing a predator.

Name some animal products from forest.

Honey

Wax

Fibres

How do forests serve trees and animals?

Forests provide habitat for them to live in.

Name two herbivores seen in indian forests ?

Barking deer, sambar, wild boar

Name two carnivores that prey on other animals.

Tiger, lion, leopard

Name three common trees in indian forests?

Palash, neem, sal, bamboo.

Which two gases remain balanced because of forests?

Oxygen  and carbon dioxide

What are the three layers in a forest?

The topmost layer is formed by tall trees and known as the canopy, followed by the shrubs and smaller trees which form the under storey, and the final lowermost layer is formed by the herbs that form the undergrowth.

What happens when trees are cut down in forest?

There are disturbances in the food web, increased soil erosion, and more floods. 

How do forests clean up their dead?

The forests clean up their dead by the help of decomposers that turn all dead and decaying matter into humus. The humus helps to replenish nutrients in the soil.

What are the benefits enjoyed by villagers living near forests?

They can enjoy the cool shade of the forests even during harsh summers, constant supply of fruits, vegetables, and small animals as food, fodder, fuel, and good rainfall.

Why are there less sounds heard in a forest?

The forests absorb all sounds, thus keeping noise pollution to a minimum.

How can we save our forest cover?

Forests can be saved by afforestation and not cutting down existing trees. Existing forests can be declared as national parks and reserve forests in order to stop illegal felling of trees and poaching of animals.

How do the dense tall grasses help animals?

The tall dense grasses provide food to herbivores while also giving cover from predators.

Draw and label to show interrelationship of plant, soil and decomposers in a forest

What will happen if forests disappear?

        i.            Lack of forests will increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, which will further lead to global warming.

      ii.            With deforestation, the amount of rainfall will also be affected.

    iii.            Trees not only absorb carbon dioxide but other pollutants in the air as well which cause problem in breathing. Cutting of trees would lower down the quality of air we breathe.

    iv.            Forests provide shelter to majority of the animal species. With the lack of trees, the animals would lose their homes and may become extinct in long run.

      v.            The roots of the trees hold the top soil and make it fertile for crop production. With cutting of trees, the soil will get loose and can be easily be washed away in case of heavy rainfall or windstorm.

    vi.            Trees absorb rainwater and seep it deep into the ground so that it does not flow along the surface, thus preventing flooding. Once trees are gone, too much water will runoff along the surface causing floods.

Show how rain water is controlled by the tree in a forest with a diagram?

How do decomposers help in a forest habitat?

The decomposers act on dead and decaying plant and animal remains and chemically convert them to humus seen on forest floors. The humus ensures that nutrients from the dead plants and animals are released back into the soil. From the soil again these nutrients are absorbed back by the living roots of other plants. Thus, decomposers help to maintain the nutrient levels in the soil.

What causes destruction of forests?

        i.            Constructing roads through forests are harmful for the forest environment

      ii.            Building industries near forests is extremely detrimental for forests

    iii.            Overgrazing by domesticated animals and indiscriminate cutting down of trees destroys forests.

    iv.            Hunting and poaching of wild animals disturbs the food web of a forest.