Evergreen Magazine

JULY 2023 EXPLORING THE WILDERNESS WITHIN WITHIN. Importance of forest How to preserve forest

World’s Largest Forest: - Amazon Rainforest

INDEX SL No. Topic Page Number 1 What is Forest 1 2 Components of Forest 3 5 3 Interdependence of Components of Forests 7 11 4 Importance of Forest 14 5 Destruction of 15 Forest:Deforestion 16 6 How to Preserve Forest 17 18 7 Some interesting facts about forest 7 Quiz 8 Quiz Answers 9 Contribution



What is a Forest? Norbert Cornel Fernz A forest is a complex ecological system in which trees are the dominant life-form. A forest is nature’s most efficient ecosystem, with a high rate of photosynthesis affecting both plant and animal systems in a series of complex organic relationships. Forests can develop under various conditions, and the kind of soil, plant, and animal life differs according to the extremes of environmental influences. Warm temperatures and sufficient rainfall are characteristics of forests, resulting in the formation n of numerous ponds, lakes, etc. The forest maintains climate and rainfall. The forest supports many wild animals and protects biodiversity. The soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients, which support the growth of trees. 1

There are four types of forests which include 1. Tropical forest 2. Boreal Forest 3. Subtropical Forest 4. Temperate Forest 1. Tropical Forest: Tropical forests are forested landscapes in tropical regions: i.e. land areas approximately bounded by the tropic of Cancer and Capricorn, but possibly affected by other factors such as prevailing winds. 2. Boreal Forest : Boreal forests are still full of life that’s adapted to withstand frigid temperatures year-round, such as caribou reindeer, or animals that can migrate long distances every winter. Full of deciduous trees and conifers, Boreal forests cover vast expanses in Canada, Alaska. 3. Subtropical Forest: Subtropical forests are like their tropical cousins, but not quite as hot or bio diverse. They are still warm, but with a noticeable chilly season; they are still chock full of a wide range of plants and animals. 4. Temperate forest: Temperate forests cycle through all four seasons. Most forests in the US are temperate forests. Depending on the region, you can find coniferous forests full of evergreen trees that have leaves year- round; deciduous forests with trees that shed their leaves every year; and some forests with a mix of everything. Did You Know Did You Know that Forests are home to over 80 percent of land animals and plants and cover 31 percent of the world’s total land area. About 1.6 billion people around the world depend on forests for their livelihoods and daily subsistence needs. 2

COMPONENTS OF FOREST Alen George A forest ecosystem is a functional unit or a system which comprises of soil, trees, insects, animals, birds, and man as its interacting units. A forest is a large and complex ecosystem and hence has greater species diversity. While trees sometimes stand alone, most often they are part of a community called a forest. Forests consist not only of living (biotic) components like trees, animals, plants, and other living things but also of nonliving (abiotic) components such as soil, water, air, and landforms. All of these components together make up a forest ecosystem. Biotic components of forest ecosystem The world of living organisms are called as biotic components Biotic components of a forest include producers, consumers and decomposers. Producers: The producers are mainly herbs, shrubs and trees. A wide variety of grasses, ferns, creepers, berries, herbs and shrubs are found in a forest ecosystem. Consumers: Consumers in a forest include herbivores, carnivores and scavengers. Herbivores: Herbivores such as deer, nilgai and elephants feed on grasses or shrubs. Leaf hoppers, bugs, beetles and so on, feed on grasses and leaves of trees. Carnivores: Carnivores such as tigers, lions and foxes consume their prey largely by predation. There are also a large number of predatory birds such as eagle and kite. Scavengers: Animals that consume dead animals are known as scavengers. Vultures, jackals, hyena, insects like termites, maggots, ants, beetles, earthworms, and millipedes falls under this category. They clean the environment. Decomposers: Decomposers include bacteria and fungi. They derive their nutrition from dead and decaying organisms, which include both plants (especially leaves fallen on the forest floor) and animals. 3

Abiotic components of forest ecosystem The world of non-living organisms are called as abiotic components. The abiotic components of a forest ecosystem include air rich in oxygen, water contained in several water bodies and organic and inorganic compounds in trees and soil as well as in the dead remains of plants and animals. Climatic factors such as sunlight, temperature, rainfall and humidity play a great role in determining the flora and fauna in a forest ecosystem. In temperate forests, the climate changes a lot from summer to winter. In tropical forests, the climate remains constant throughout the year. Water keeps on circulating in a forest ecosystem. 4

Interdependence of components of forest Arjumand Fathima Saiyed Animals depend on plants for food, oxygen and shelter. Plants depend on sunlight, water and fertile soil for their growth. Some plants depend on animals for pollination. Plants produce energy from the sun, which they use to create carbohydrates. Animals eat these carbohydrates, as well as other parts of the plants, such as leaves, flowers, and fruits. In turn, animals disperse pollen and seeds, which helps plants to reproduce. Plants consume decayed material from the soil for their nourishment and are consumed by plant-eating animals for their survival. The carnivores then consume the lower animals of the food chain for their nutrition and survival. When living organisms perish, they will decompose and form a part of the soil, which can again be consumed by plants. The cycle continues to exist in this way. Apart from food dependence, there exists a reproductive dependence between plants and animals. For example, bees are the major carriers of pollen, which is transferred between flowers. Pollination helps certain kinds of plants reproduce. The bees also obtain the nectar of flowers as their nourishment thereby establishing a symbiotic relationship within themselves. 5

Apart from pollination, different animals help in that plants grow over a sufficient area. This is because many plants growing in the same region do not get a sufficient amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients. The flora in forests also helps establish protection around animals living within them. This protection is offered both within and outside the ecosystem. For example, trees and large bushes help protect animals from their predators, by providing camouflage. Animals are also protected to a certain degree from outside influences like extreme weather and climates by this. Apart from these, there is also the obvious fact that forests are home to a variety of animals. 6

IMPORTANCE OF FOREST Avanish Anish & Avinash Anish Forests are the dominant terrestrial ecosystem of Earth and are disturbed around the globe. Forests account for 75% of gross primary production of the Earth’s biosphere, and contain 80% of the Earth’s plant biomass. USES OF FORESTS Forest provides food and shelter. Forest reduce noise pollution. Forest provide medicine. Forest produce oxygen. Protecting the soil Natural absorber of rain water. 7

Maintain ecological balance. Forest as green lungs. Preserve bio-diversity. Means of livelihood. Forest provides food and shelter: Forest provides food and shelter to various spices of birds and animals. Several foods that we consume are obtained from trees. Trees provide shelter for several animals ranging from micro- organisms to animals and birds. They provide a safe place for animals to live and protect them from rain, wind, and heat. Protecting the soil Trees in the forests hold the topmost layer firmly by their roots. This does not allow natural forces like wind and water to carry away the top most fertile layer of the soil easily. Hence the forest plays an important role in protecting the soil. Forests also maintain the productivity of the soil through adding a large quantity of organic matter and recycling of nutrients. The leaves are used as manure. Natural absorber of rain water Forests act as a natural absorber of rainwater and allows it to seep. When rainwater falls on the leaves of trees and plants, it does not fall directly on the ground. It drips slowly on the 8

forest ground and does not stagnate. Trees act as water reservoirs, taking in water from the soil and releasing it through its leaves. Moisture in the air results in cloud formation, leading to rainfall and the continuation of the water cycle. Forest as green lungs The plants release oxygen through the process called Photosynthesis. The plants help to provide oxygen to animals for respiration. They also maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This is why forests are called green lungs. Preserve biodiversity Although they cover just over 30% of the global land area, forests are home to the vast majority of the terrestrial plant and animal species known to science. Forest biodiversity benefits much of humanity as a whole through its role in the carbon, water, and nutrient cycles and through its links with food production. Means of livelihood For centuries, forests have served as a kind of natural safety net for communities during times of famine or other events that impact agricultural and food production. For many 9

of them, not only do the resources provide economic sustenance, but the forest is also a way of life socially and culturally. They provide fruits, leaves, gum, nuts, timber, and wood for fuel. Maintain ecological balance Forest helps in cleaning the environment by absorbing toxic gases like carbon. They help to prevent soil erosion and uphold the fertility of the soil. They help to establish oxygen and carbon balance in nature, and hence, the forest is essential for maintaining an ecological balance. Forests help prevent erosion and enrich and conserve soil, helping to protect communities from landslides and floods and producing the rich topsoil needed to grow plants and crops. Reduce noise pollution: By dampening sound, a phenomenon known as sound attenuation, trees serve as noise barriers and reduce pollution. Noise attenuation often occurs when sound waves dissipate over greater distances until no energy is left to cause air vibrations. Through absorption, deflection, refraction, and masking, trees reduce noise. 10

Destruction Of Forest :Deforestation Anwita Prajeesh What is Deforestation? Deforestation can be defined as the large-scale removal of trees from forests for the facilitation of human activities. It is a serious environmental concern since it can result in the loss of biodiversity, damage to natural habitats, disturbances in the water cycle and soil erosion. Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to ranches, or urban use. The most concentrated deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests. The various reasons behind these human activities are increasing the space for human usage like logging or wood extraction, agricultural expansion, infrastructure expansion etc. Causes of Deforestation Direct causes of deforestation are agricultural expansion, wood extraction (e.g., logging or wood harvest for domestic fuel or charcoal), and infrastructure 11

expansion such as road building and urbanization. The biggest cause of deforestation is industrial agriculture because forests being converted into crop land is the main driver of forest loss, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, it causes at least 50% of global deforestation, mainly for palm oil and soybean production. Livestock grazing is responsible for almost 40% of global deforestation. What are the effects of deforestation? With reduced Forests, people are less able to benefit from the natural resources these ecosystems provide. This can lead to increased poverty and in some cases, people may need to move to find forests which can sustain them. The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause Major Climate Change-Increase in temperature and pollution level. Desertification and soil erosion. Increase in the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Decrease in groundwater level. Loss of Food and Habitat of Animals. If forests are cleared or even disturbed, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of Global Warming. There’s simply no way we can fight the climate crisis if we don’t stop deforestation. 12

Consequences of Desertification: Food insecurity due to crop failure or reduced yields. The loss of vegetation cover and therefore of food for livestock and humans. Increased risk of zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19. Loss of forest cover, with a corresponding shortage of wood resources. The loss of vegetation can cause severe soil erosion. The nutrients in the soil get washed or leached away leaving soil infertile. The loss of vegetation also means that there has been damage to animal’s habitats. In addition, loss of species affects the availability of local medicines. Consequences of Climate change: Climate change may aggravate erosion, decline in organic matter, salinization, soil biodiversity loss, landslides, flooding etc. The effect of climate change on soil carbon storage can be related to changing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, increased, and changing precipitation patterns. Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health - clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food, and secure shelter. Climate change can also impact human health by worsening air and water quality, increasing the spread of certain diseases, and altering the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events. Rising sea level threatens coastal communities and ecosystems. 13

HOW TO PRESERVE FORESTS Conserve trees and forests in your area. Planting more trees. Support forest conservation organizations. Buy Rain Forest Alliance Certified Products Use Tree-Free Products Enjoy Forests Responsibly Teach kids about forests through books and outdoor exploration. Controlling forest fires. Proper utilization of forest resources. 14

Some interesting facts about forests Alok CS  A tree can sequester up to 150 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year.  Wood fuel provides 40 percent of today's global renewable energy supply.  More than 25 percent of the medicines we use originate in rainforest plants.  More than one third of our biggest cities, including New York, Tokyo and Barcelona, get a significant proportion of their high-quality drinking water from protected forests.  A large oak tree can transpire 151,000 litres of water in a year.  The world is witnessing an approximate loss of 3.3M hectares of total forest area in a year.  More than 50% of all the forest area on our planet is in just five countries.  In July 2013, Thailand began planting millions of trees by droping ‘seed bombs’.  The highest level of biodiversity has recorded in the Amazon rainforest.  A mature can supply 2-10 people with enough oxygen daily.  The word ‘Jurassic’, which we saw often associate with dinosaurs, comes from the Celtic word for forest.  India is ranked 10th in the world, with 24.4 percentage of land area  under forest and tree cover. 15

QUIZ 1) What are the dominant life forms in a forest? 2) How many types of forests are there? 3) Where is Caribou reindeer found? 4) What is the biggest cause of deforestation ? 5) More than 50% of all the forest area on our planet is how many countries. 16

Quiz Answers 1. Tree 2. 4 3. Boreal forest 4. Industrial agriculture 5. 5 17

Contributions 1.Alen George : Components of forest. 2.Anjana Anil : How to preserve forest. 3.Anwita Prajeesh :Destruction of forest. 4.Avanish Anish : Importance of forest. 5.Avinash Anish : Importance of forest. 6.Arjumand Fathima Saiyed : Interdependence of components of forest. 7.Norbert Cornel Fernz : What is forest. 8.Alok C Sukumaran (Group Leader) : Some interesting facts about forests, Coverpage Design, index, Quiz, Editing and Compiling. 18