• Forest: Large area of land thickly covered with trees, bushes, etc.
• We get various products from the forests surrounding us.
• Forest is a system comprising various plants, animals and micro-organisms.
• In a forest, trees form the uppermost layer, followed by shrubs. The herbs form the lowest layer of vegetation.
• Different layers of vegetation provide food and shelter for animals, birds and insects.
• The various components of the forest are interdependent on one another.
• The forest keeps on growing and changing, and can regenerate.
• In the forest, there is interaction between soil, water, air and living organisms.
• Forests protect the soil from erosion.
• Soil helps forests to grow and regenerate.
• Forests are the lifeline for the forest-dwelling communities.
• Forests influence climate, water cycle and air quality.
• Importance of Forests:
(i) Provide timber.
(ii) Purify air.
(iii) Provide shelter.
(iv) Prevent soil erosion.
(v) Control floods.
(vi) Noise absorbers.
• Independence of Plants and Animals in Forest:
(i) Plnats and animals depends on each other to remain alive.
(ii) All organisms interact with each other and their physical environment to derive energy and survive.
• Conservation of Forest:
(i) Amount of carbon dioxide in air will increase, resulting in the increase of earth’s temperature.
(ii) Animals will not get food and shelter.
(iii) Soil will not hold water, which will cause floods.
(iv) Endanger lives and environment.
• Conservation of Forests:
(i) Do not allow overgrazing.
(ii) Promote afforestation.
(iii) Protect wildlife.
(iv) Control forest fires.
• Food Chain: Interdependence between producers and consumers studied in form of various linkage that appears as a chain.
• Food Web: A system of interdependent food chains used to represent various relationships
of organisms.