Forests are one of the most useful renewable resources. They provide habitat to many types of animals & plants.
The forest is a biotic community spread over a large area of land & composed of tall trees, herbs, shrubs, climbers & wild animals
Interdependence Of Plant & Animals
A forest is home to many kinds of plants, animals & microorganisms. These living organisms depend on each other for their survival
Dependence Of Animals On Plant
Mainly three Dependecy given below
For food
All animals depend for their food directly or indirectly on green plants. Herbivores feed on plant material directly while carnivores feed on the herbivores.
For Oxygen
Plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis and animals use this oxygen for respiration.
For shelter
Some animals depend on plants for shelter and safety. Trees provide protection from rain and shade from the heat of the sun to the animals. Most of the birds make their nest on branches of trees. Monkeys, apes, and bats also live on trees.
Dependence Of Plants On Animals
For Carbon Dioxide
Animals produce carbon dioxide during respiration which is released into the atmosphere. Plants use this carbon dioxide for preparing food by the process of photosynthesis. In this way, plants play an important role in maintaining carbon dioxide and oxygen balance in nature.
For Pollen and Seed Dispersal
A number of insects, birds, and bats help in pollination. Some animals help in the dispersal of fruits and seeds.
For Supplying Nutrients
Animal excreta and their dead bodies add nutrients to the soil. They act as manure and provide minerals for plant growth.
Recycling Of Nutrients In A Forest
Plants are called producers as they can produce their own food. They are also called autotrophs. Animals are called consumers they cannot produce their own food & depends on plants.
Animals are also called heterotrophs. Decomposers are the microorganisms which break down dead remains of plant and animals into simpler substances & release these nutrients into soil, water & air.
Food Chain
The process of food transfer from plants through a series of organisms with repeated eating and being eaten is called a food chain.
For example, a grasshopper eats green plants, a frog eats a grasshopper a frog is eaten by a snake, and a snake is eaten by an eagle.
Plant → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle
Food and energy get transferred several times between organisms but ends with dead animals and plants. Bodies of a dead organisms are then broken down into simpler nutrients in the soil by decomposers.
Food Web
All food chains are interlinked. This interconnected network of food chains is called the food web.
For example, grass or plants may be eaten by grasshoppers as well as rabbits, cattle, and deer. These herbivores, in turn, may be eaten by carnivores like frogs, birds, snakes, tigers, or hawks depending on their food habits.
Biodiversity In A Forest
Our forest is home to several kinds of plants and animals. These plants and animals live close relations with each other. some examples of plants and animals found in the forest are as follows
Forest Plants
Sal, teak, semal, sheesham, neem, palash, fig, khair, amla, bamboo, etc.
Forest Animals
- Bear, jackal, porcupine, elephant, monkey, lion, tiger, leopard butterfly, spider etc.
Use of Forest
Forest are beneficial to a man in several ways which are given below.
Provide Timber
Timber is used for making furniture, railway sleepers, carts, boats, ships, sports goods, ploughs, etc.
Provide Food
Tribal people living in the forest take tubers roots, leaves, and fruits of plants as their food.
Provide Medicines
Leaves of eucalyptus, neem, and tulsi are well known for their medicinal value. Cinchona, ephedra, ishabgul and aloe vera plants also have medicinal value.
Provide Other Forest Products
Forests provide a large number of important products such as gum, oil, spices, fodder, resins, bamboo, lac, silk, honey, etc.
Prevent Soil Erosion and Floods
Roots of trees bind the soil particles together and prevent the soil from being washed or blown away
Regulate Climate of a Place
Forest increases the water vapour in the atmosphere by transpiration. Helps in keeping the air cool and also helps in inducing rain.
Improve Quality of Soil
Dead fallen leaves of trees decay and form humus that increases the porosity and fertility of the soil.
Reduce Atmosphere Pollution
forests reduce atmospheric pollution by using carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and by collecting suspended particulate matter on their leaves. Thus, trees help in checking global warming
Control Water Flow
The thick layer of humus in the forest absorbs and holds rainwater like a sponge. The leaves of the trees also reduce the force of the raindrops to keep soil intact. The latter allows a gradual runoff of water to· prevent flash floods. This ensures the perennial supply of water to streams, springs, and wells
Provide Fuelwood
Wood is one of the most important fuels used for cooking in several rural areas even today. Charcoal is also used during winters to keep ourselves warm
Aesthetic Value
Forests give a beautiful and pleasing look. Many people go to forests for recreation because the temperature in forests is lower than normal and the air is pure. Forests are a good place for picnics, hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, photography, etc.
Conservation of Forest
The maintenance and upkeep of forests is cal1ed forest conservation. The following steps should be undertaken to conserve forests:
- Massive afforestation work should be undertaken to cover large areas of land with useful plants
- Large scale cutting of forest trees must be stopped. If it is essential to cut a few trees, then make sure to plant more trees in their place.
- Forest fires should be prevented. Huge forest areas are destroyed by fire every year. People should avoid smoking or cooking in the forest areas.
- Overgrazing by cattle, horses, sheep, and goats should be prevented.
- Forests must be protected from insects and pests.
- All activities leading to soil erosion should be controlled.
- Air, water, and soil pollution should be reduced so that trees and other vegetation can survive and develop in a forest.
- Plants should be given free of cost to the people for growing them near their house.
- People should be made aware of the impact of forests on their life through advertisements, television, radio, and plays.
- Guidelines of international organizations like WWF and UNESCO for forest conservation should be followed.
· Van Mahotsava which is celebrated every year should be made more popular, meaningful, and effective.