Forests are the driving force in bringing rainfall to different parts of the earth. They help sustain life in those areas. The following points indicate the importance of forests.

• We know that human civilisations have flourished alongside rivers. They were nurtured by the forest and its resources. 
• Forests are also home to a variety of animals and birds. Non-biotic factors like soil, rocks, mountains, hills and other features are also included in the forest. 
• There is no need to plant seeds in the forest as it is a self-sustaining ecosystem. Plants grow in forests based on the environmental conditions prevailing in the region. 
• It is a renewable natural resource that serves as a habitat (home) for a variety of wildlife, including bears, lions, tigers, leopards, jackals, deer, porcupines, elephants, and many others.
• In the forests, trees such as sal, teak, semal, neem, palash, bamboo, kachnar, oak, banyan can be found. Insects, butterflies, honey bees, and birds aid in the pollination of flowering plants.

Stratification is the process of splitting a natural ecosystem into levels based on the heights of plants or vegetation present. This reduces competition among animals and makes it easier for them to survive. The number of layers in a forest is determined by environment, temperature, light availability, soil type, and rainfall. In general, vegetation in a forest is classified into the following sections:

1. The forest floor is made up of fallen leaves, stems, bark, and the top layer of the soil.
2. The herb layer is made up of plants that lack woody stems and grow above the ground. It includes grasses. In the forest ecosystem, they are generally in fewer numbers.
3. The shrub layer includes plants that are from tiny to medium size. This layer requires maximum sunlight.
4. The understory consists of plants that grow above the forest floor but below the canopy level. To develop, they need only a small amount of light.
5. The canopy is made up of the crowns of trees and gets direct sunlight.
6. The emergent layer is formed by the trees at the top level of the tree hierarchy. It is common in tropical woodlands.

During the process of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen into the atmosphere. Animals inhale this oxygen and release carbon dioxide during respiration. In turn, plants absorb carbon dioxide and use it to perform photosynthesis. The oxygen and carbon dioxide cycle continues in this manner. Because forests have many plants, they play an essential role in maintaining this cycle and the balance in nature. That is why forests are known as ‘Green Lungs’.

You can play games on the MSVgo app and participate in the MSVgo Interschool Challenge to have a fantastic learning experience of the topic. A thorough study of chapter 17 of science class 7 will help you understand and appreciate the contribution of forests in sustaining life on earth.

Organisms that feed on the dead bodies of plants and animals are known as decomposers. They clean the forests by removing the dead carcasses and returning nutrients to the soil. Beetles and grubs are examples of decomposer organisms. In forests, various animals (herbivores, carnivores and omnivores) reside and contribute to the food chain. 

Animals aid in spreading seeds from one region of the forest to another. This way, they help in regenerating the forest. When degraded into the soil, excreta and the remains of animals serve as manure for the plants. Microorganisms decompose dead plants and leaves into nutrient-rich humus. Humus is present in the top soil, and it supplies the minerals required for plant growth.

Forests are extremely valuable resources. We should be cautious about forest-related issues for the following reasons: 

• There would be more floods and soil erosion if there were no trees.
• Forests have a significant impact on the climate. For example, reduced forest cover in one place causes global warming that impacts the entire planet. 
• Deforestation has a negative effect on lifeforms and their environment. In the absence of trees and plants, animals will not get food and shelter.
• Forests supply us with a variety of things such as timber, fruits, and medicines. These items would not be available if trees and plants were not present. 
• A reduction in forest cover destroys animal habitats and the environment. It further leads to the extinction of species.

Most important questions related to ncert chapter 7 

Q 1. What are the five things that we acquire from forests?

Ans. We obtain a variety of products from forests. Some of them are listed below:

(i) Fruits

(ii) Wood 

(iii) Herbs and medicines

(iv) Rubber 

(v) Honey 

Q 2. Why are forests our lifeline?

Ans. Forests are vital for our survival because they are integral to our ecology. They give us oxygen to breathe, absorb carbon dioxide, and provide food and other necessities.

Q 3. What are the uses of trees?

Ans. Forests serve a variety of purposes. Some of them are bringing rainfall, preventing soil erosion and flooding, providing oxygen and eliminating excess carbon dioxide from the air, and providing food, shelter and other valuable goods to humans and animals.

Q 4. Why should we be concerned about forest conditions and challenges that are far away from us?

Ans. Trees are nature's greatest gift to all animals on the planet. They aid in air filtering and the continuance of the water cycle. Forests provide a wide range of things that we utilise daily. As a result, we should be concerned about the condition of forests.

Q 5. Which of the following does not belong in the category of forest products?

Gum, Plywood, Rubber, Kerosene 

Ans. Kerosene is not a forest-based product. It is an organic product made from crude oil that has been distilled.

Q 5. Explain why a forest requires a diverse range of animals and plants?

Ans. A varied range of plant and animal species is required in forests to preserve and maintain the food chain. For example, various insects eat a specific type of plant, and frogs eat those insects. Further, snakes consume the frogs and are themselves eaten by eagles. This way, all the food of all organisms are interlinked. Every organism preys and is preyed upon.

The given example is one of many intertwined food chains seen in nature. If one unit of the food chain is removed, all organisms in the series will suffer as a result. To keep all these delicate food chains functional, a varied range of plants and animals is essential.

Q 6. Explain how floods are prevented by forests.

Ans: Forests sustain the environment in a variety of ways. They also play a major role in flood prevention. In the absence of forest trees, direct heavy rains will wash away the nutrients from the soil and cause floods and soil erosion. The roots of trees maintain the soil in place and prevent erosion. This way, trees and forests contribute to flood prevention.

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The chapter ‘forests our lifeline’ is very important for understanding the role of forests in nature. Forests play a significant part in sustaining different aspects of the lives of humans and animals. So, a solid grasp of the topic is essential at an early stage of education. We need to learn how to protect our forests and save our planet. Ignorance towards the importance of forests has started showing its ill effects in the form of climate change. The summers have become warmer, and the winters have become colder in various parts of the planet. The icy glaciers on the poles are melting at a very alarming rate and increasing the water level in oceans. We need to take appropriate measures to save the forests and nature. To get more insight and interesting examples on this topic, download the MSVGo app for free. Become a part of an intelligent and inquisitive learning community today!