Forests : Our lifeline

Forest is a natural habitat for many different kinds of plants and animals. Forests provide food and shelter for animals.

Some common animals found in a forest are :- lion, tiger, elephant, monkey, deer, zebra, jackal, bison, boar, snake, porcupine, crocodile etc.

Some common types of plants found in forests are :- trees like teak, bamboo, fig, saal, sesham, semal, neem, palash, khair, amla, kachnar etc. Forests also have several kinds of shrubs, herbs and grasses, climbers, creepers etc.

TEAK BAMBOO FIG SHEESHAM

SAL NEEM AMLA KACNAR

We get several useful products from forests like wood, spices, gum, oils, honey, sealing wax, catechu, fodder for animals, medicinal plants etc.

The branchy part of a tree above the stem is called the crown of the tree. The crown of trees have different shapes.

The branches of tall trees look like a roof over the other plants in the forest. This is called a canopy.

Trees have different heights, crowns, shapes of leaves, flowers and fruits.

Some crown shapes of trees

•An annual lives one year. •A biennial lives two years.•A perennial lives three or more years.

Purify air.Regular climate.Bind soil.Control and prevents flood.Make soil fertile.Reduces pollution.Shelter for animals.Place for tribes.Provide food, wood, rubber, gum, beewax,

lac, bamboo etc.

Animals depends on plants for food, shade and protection from sun and rain, wood and natural fibres etc.

Plants depends on animals for carbondioxide, pollination seed dispersal and nutrients.