Forest : our life - class-VIII

National Forest Policy (1988) of India has recommended 33 percent forest cover for the plains and 67 percent for the hills.

If carnivores, which feed on deer are removed, then the deer population will flourish. Removal of 80% of tigers from an area will cause an increase in the population of herbivores, which would further feed on more vegetation thus, decreasing its growth. The length of the food chain is limited to 3−4 trophic levels as only 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level. Hence after 3−4 trophic levels, there is very little or no energy left to sustain more trophic levels.

Environment is the sum of all boo tic (living) and a biotin (non-living) factors that surround and practically influence the organism. All components are Inter-linked and inter-dependent. Biotin factors include different organism. Abiotic factors are non-living factors survival, form, function, behavior and reproduction of organism. There are many abiotic factors. The four major abiotic factors are temperature, water, light and soil. 

This plant is nowadays being planted on a large scale under social - forestry. They used as a wind breaks, fire breaks fodder etc. 

The paper industry is a primary consumer of wood pulp, which is harvested from forest timber. While other industries use wood, the paper sector is globally recognized as a major industrial consumer.

Bamboo is a highly versatile and widespread plant found in many forest ecosystems across various regions. It is commonly cited in regional forestry studies as a ubiquitous forest resource.

If forest disappears or the deforestation continues to exist then the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase. This is because the Green plants capable of fixing atmospheric carbon dioxide into Organic material such as glucose by the action of photosynthesis are no longer available. 

Forest is called as the green lung because they fix the carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight and convert them into glucose by the process of photosynthesis. The reaction of carbon dioxide with water during this process releases oxygen as byproduct and glucose is formed. Thus forest replenishes oxygen in turn of carbon dioxide. Thus, the correct answer is option D.

The canopy is the uppermost layer in a forest, formed by the crowns of the tallest trees. It acts as a roof for the rest of the forest ecosystem.

• Forests are areas of biodiversity hot spots, as we know. They are full of plants, trees, animals and birds. 
• Even the dead bodies of plants and animals are decayed by saprophytes, supporting large forms of life. 
• In this process, they provide the soil with nutrients that help the seeds to grow properly and support new forms of life. So we can say that forests are dynamic living entities.

Plantations are managed specifically for timber production and are estimated to contribute significantly to the global supply of industrial wood, with 40 percent being a commonly cited figure in forestry textbooks.

An ecosystem is a complex network of living organisms and their physical environment. Destroying a forest removes the entire system of interactions, not just the plants or animals individually.

Boreal forests, also known as taiga, are the world's largest terrestrial biome and are the primary source of softwood lumber and pulpwood for the global paper industry.

A habitat is the natural environment in which a particular species lives, grows, and reproduces. It provides the necessary conditions for the species to survive.

Crown of a tree is basically the aerial part of trees that contains branches, leaves and stems. Thus, it constitutes the branchy part of trees.

The animals living in the forests excrete the nitrogenous wastes which is acted upon by the microbes. The complex materials in the dung is converted into simpler form of nutrients. These nutrients are taken up by the plants and trees in the forests. The new seedling utilises the nutrients from this decayed dung. 

Forest is depleting day by day due to the rapid urbanisation. As urbanising is increasing rapidly thus forest is most rapidly depleting natural resource. 

Forest structures like foliage, bark, and ground litter all contribute to slowing down water runoff. They help in absorbing water and reducing the kinetic energy of rainfall, which prevents soil erosion.

A habitat is defined by its ability to provide essential resources like food and shelter, and it is characterized by the specific biological community (plants and animals) that occupies it.

The canopy is the uppermost layer of the forest, formed by the crowns of the tallest trees. While 'crown' refers to the top of an individual tree, the collective top layer is the canopy.

A forest is a naturally occurring ecosystem where species have evolved to live. Zoos and aquariums are artificial environments created by humans.

• Turmeric has some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas but they come under herbs, not a tree.
  
• Oak is mainly used for furniture purposes as Oak wood is exceedingly strong, heavy and durable.
  
• Neem tree has various medicinal properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, antifungal, antiviral. 
• So, option A neem is the correct answer.
  

The forest floor is rich in organic matter, including humus formed by decaying leaves, and it supports various small plants like herbs that grow in the shade.

Herbs are small, non-woody plants that typically occupy the lowest layer of the forest, covering the forest floor.

The crown of a tree is the collection of branches and leaves that extend from the main trunk.

Decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organic matter like leaves and animal remains, converting them into nutrient-rich humus.

The crown is the part of the tree that includes the branches and leaves, serving as the primary site for photosynthesis.

Neem, Tulsi, and Amla are widely recognized for their medicinal properties. Teak is primarily a timber-yielding tree, making it the odd one out in this context.

Pine trees are conifers with a characteristic conical shape, which helps them shed snow and survive in colder climates.

Teak, Bamboo, and Sheesham are primarily used as construction materials or timber. Neem is primarily known for its medicinal and environmental benefits, making it the odd one out.

The forest floor, covered with litter and humus, acts like a sponge, allowing rainwater to seep into the soil and replenish groundwater levels.

The canopy is the top layer of the forest, which is formed by the crowns of the tallest and most mature trees.

Both Sheesham (a hardwood) and Bamboo (a strong, versatile grass) are widely used in construction, furniture making, and various structural applications.

The taiga or northern temperate coniferous forest or boreal forests consist of evergreen, cone bearing trees.

Himalayan coniferous forests are altitudinal forests which occur in the Himalayas at the altitude of 1700-3000 m

The tropical dry deciduous forest biomes develop in the region where moisture relation are intermediate between desert and savanna. These are found in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, India and Northern Australia. Teak and Sal are major large tree.

The plants of the deciduous forests shed their leaves during one season. Its dominant climax vegetation consists of broad leaved hardwood (dicot) tree like Oak, Elm, Maple, Birch, etc.

Reserve forests, sanctuaries, and core biosphere zones are legally protected areas. An orchard is a managed agricultural area for fruit production and does not fall under the legal definition of a protected forest.

• Forests cover 31 percent of the world's land surface i.e over 4 billion hectares. (One hectare = 2.47 acres.) .
• In India, the total forest and tree cover is spread across 802,088 square km, which is 24.39 percent of the geographical area of the country.
• Hence Land mass occupied by forest is about 11%.
• So, the correct answer is '11%'.

The percentage of land covered by forest in India is around 24.39%, which is approximately 802,088 square km

Dendrology is the scientific study of woody plants, specifically trees and shrubs.

The forest floor is also called detritus and O horizon. It is one of the features of a forest ecosystem. It is known as the floor of the animal habitat. It consists of shed vegetative parts like leaves, branches, stems. It exists above the soil surface. Usually, insects that feed on the leaf litter are found on it. Examples of animals found on the forest floor include snake, lizards, butterflies.

Amla, Neem, and Tulsi are all widely recognized in traditional medicine systems for their therapeutic properties.

In 1900, the forest cover of the world comprised about 7000 million hectors. In 2000, the forest cover of the world comprised only about 2370 million hector’s. It indicates that more than 50% of the tropical forests were converted into agricultural land.

Monoculture plantations (growing only one species like Pine or Eucalyptus) generally reduce biodiversity compared to natural, diverse forest ecosystems.

Natural resources are indeed defined as materials or substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain or human survival.

Social forestry refers to the management and protection of forests and afforestation on barren lands with the purpose of helping environmental, social, and rural development, often involving local communities.

Wildlife resources are considered renewable because they can reproduce and replenish their populations over time, provided their habitats are maintained.

Deforestation is a major global issue, and forests are indeed being lost at a rapid rate due to industrialization, agriculture, and urban expansion.

Temperate forests in India are primarily found in the higher altitudes of the Himalayan mountain range due to the cooler climate.

Silviculture is the process of controlling the growth, composition, health, and quality of the forests to satisfy people's diverse needs and values.

Sacred groves are one of the methods of conserving rare and threatened species as local people worship and not allow the killing of animals and cutting of trees in such areas like Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan etc.

The Amrita Devi Bishori National award is awarded for wildlife conservation.

Afforestation restores ecological balance of all ecosystems, it maintains biological diversity, and act as catchments for soil and water. Thus preventing floods  and conserving soil cover.

Deforestation directly removes trees, and soil erosion degrades the land, making it difficult for forests to regenerate or survive. Both activities significantly hamper forest conservation.

Forest conservation is the practice of planning and conserving forests for the sustainability of future generations. Deforestation is the clearing of trees and thereby transforming a forest into cleared land. It results in the loss of habitat for millions of species. Global warming is condition in which there is increase in the earth's surface temperature due to effect of greenhouses gases which are released due to burning of soil, deforestation, etc. Afforestation is the establishment of a forest in an area either naturally or artificially where there was no forest previously. 

Forests not only provide wood but they directly control floods, drought, soil erosion etc. Forest conservation is very important to maintain a balanced ecosystem. It involves preservation and management of forests and wildlife. Conservation of forests can be done by maintaining biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, zoo and botanical gardens.

Forest conservation is the practice of planning and conserving forest areas for the benefit of future generations. Afforestation is the establishment of a forest in an area either naturally or artificially where there was no forest previously. It is done to keep the natural resources intact for the maintenance of ecosystem and benefit of human. Different techniques done for forest conservation are afforestation, reforestation, controlled burn, etc. 

Agroforestry is the land use pattern or pathway that allows the combination of agriculture and forestry. It is a land management system. Shifting cultivation includes the use of land for agricultural purpose followed by clearing off of the cultivation and leaving the pasture undisturbed to restore its fertility. Shifting cultivation is associated with agroforestry.

Forest conservation strategies must be holistic, protecting not just consumers (animals) but also producers (plants/trees) and the entire ecosystem, including soil and water resources.

2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) is a systemic herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds and can act as a powerful defoliant in high concentrations.