Resource on Earth-Forests and Ecosystems
Category : 7th Class
Resource on Earth-Forests and Ecosystems
Synopsis
- Plants and animals depend on each other and this is important for the survival of both the organisms.
- Forest is a system comprising of various plants, animals and microorganisms.
- In a forest; trees form the uppermost layer, followed by shrubs. The herbs form the lowest layers of vegetation.
- Forests regulate the climate by bringing down the temperature and increasing rainfall. They maintain the gaseous balance in air and control pollution by absorbing dust.
- Forests are sources of timber, fuel, medicines, oils, resins, cane etc. They check soil erosion, control floods and help to recharge groundwater.
- Deforestation began by clearing forests so that crops could be grown. This leads to the destruction of ecosystem.
- Soil erosion is caused when the top soil is carried away by rain water or floods and due to high velocity winds. Trees help to prevent soil erosion. The roots of trees hold the soil so that it is not carried away by rain water and floods.
- A forest with its varied vegetation, animals and microorganisms, is an ecosystem which has evolved over thousands, may be millions of years.
- To conserve forests the felling of forest trees must be regulated, Shifting cultivation must be discouraged.
- Adequate protective and preventive measures should be taken against forest fires.
- The food chain shows the relationship and transfer of energy between organisms.
