SCIENCE

BHAGYASHREE SHAH

Index

Content Analysis

Summary of Content

Weightage as per Units

Weightage as per Objectives

Weightage to different form of Question

Justification to Weightage

Blue Print

Question Bank

Question Paper

Summary

ForestA forest is an area on land forming an ecosystem. It is a precious resource given by nature. It is a constantly changing environment made up of a variety of living organisms. Forests influence the environment of the area. Forests vary with the climatic conditions prevailing in the area they are present. Forests include living organisms like wild animals, trees, shrubs, ferns, mosses,

lichens, fungi and microscopic soil organisms. Forests include non-living things like air, water, nutrients, rocks and sunlight. 

Forests - An ecosystemForests include varieties of living organisms in them.  Forests are constantly changing ecosystem. The organisms living in the forests are interdependent on each other. Forests either directly or indirectly affect the human beings also.

Structure of the forestsPlants in the forests are divided into three categories namely, herbs, shrubs and trees. All these categories vary in their size, shape and other characteristics. These are also covered by creepers and climbers. 

Crown: The part of the tree with branches resting on the trunk is called as crown of the tree. Crowns of different trees exist in different sizes making up storeys in the forest. The horizontal layers formed by crowns of different trees are termed as under storeys. Giant and topmost storey is formed by tall trees. Shrubs and tall grasses make up the middle storey. Lower storey is made up of herbs.

Canopy: The roof like structure formed by branches of tall trees is termed to be canopy. Canopy prevents direct downpour of rainfall. This in turn prevents water stagnation in the forests.

Soil: The soil of the forest is moist and warm as it is covered with leaves and fruits. Soil in the forest is very fertile and the top most layer of organic matter is called as

humus. The floor of the forest is soft and spongy due to dead and decaying matter.  Saprophytic organisms and micro-organisms convert the dead waste into black

organic substance called as humus.

Forests - InterdependenceThere is lot of interdependence between organisms in the forests.

Organisms living in the forest depend upon abiotic factors like air, availability of water, temperature, sunlight etc.

Wild life in the forest include both plants and animals. All these organisms are interdependent on one and other. 

Plants can synthesise their own food and store in their body.  Animals make use of this food for survival.

Some animals depend on smaller animals for food.  In turn, plants also depend on animals for the processes like pollination and seed

dispersal.  Different agents of seed dispersal include animals like monkeys, buffaloes, birds etc.  Animals also add their excreta to the soil which is decomposed to add nutrients to

it.  Dead bodies of animals also decay and release nutrients to the soil. These nutrients

are utilised by the plants for their growth.

Food chain

Chain of events occurring in the environment to transfer energy from one level to another is referred to as food chain. Food chains help in studying the interdependence of animals and plants. Each level

in the food chain is called as trophic level. Energy is transferred form one trophic level to another level in a food chain. Food chains maintain a balance in the environment by cycling the nutrients

absorbed by plants from the soil.  Based on the nutrition of an organism, food chain comprises of different levels

which include producers, consumers and decomposers.

Food webNumber of food chains connected to form a network is called a food web. Food web explains the relationship of different organisms in different ways.

Conservation of forestsForests proved to be our lifeline should be conserved. Different practices and steps are to be taken to conserve forests.

Forests should be protected from over exploitation of the resources provided by them. This requires planned collection of the products they provide us. 

Forest fires should be controlled. Necessary steps must be taken during lightnings and storms to control forest fires. 

Afforestation should be practiced in order to convert barren lands into forests. Forests should be protected from the diseases caused by various pathogens. Forests should be protected from the action of deforestation and overgrazing.

Significance of forestsForests serve different purposes. Forests are a very important natural resource provided to us. It is very important for every country to have 30% land covered by forests. 

Preservation of water cycle:Forests maintain water cycle on earth. Plants in forests absorb water from the soil through their roots. Transpiration is the process by which plants release excess water into the

atmosphere in the form of water vapour.

Condensation is the process by which water vapour along with water vapour from the oceans rises in the atmosphere and condenses to form clouds.

Precipitation involves moving of clouds on to the land due to sea breeze and result in rainfall.

Rainwater seeps into the ground and increases the level of water table.

Maintenance of temperature and oxygen levels:Transpiration involves the release of water vapour into the environment thereby cooling the hot air. This helps in regulating the temperature in atmosphere. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide to prepare food thereby

decreasing its excess amount in the atmosphere. During photosynthesis , plants release out oxygen as a by-product. Oxygen is

essential to animals and human beings. Plants make our air fresh with oxygen. Hence, forests are termed to be 'Green Lungs'. More the number of trees, more is the oxygen released.

Prevention of global warming:Carbon dioxide is considered to be a greenhouse gas. Its increased level in the atmosphere results in greenhouse effect thereby causing global warming. Trees in the forests absorb carbon dioxide from the environment during

photosynthesis and regulate its levels in the atmosphere. Global warming is prevented by forests.

Prevention of dust storms and soil erosion:Trees in the forest hold the soil firmly with their roots which bind with the soil particles and prevent it from erosion. Trees also regulate strong winds and reduce dust storms.

Rich source of wood:Forests provide us with rich quality of wood.

Wood is used in constructions, furniture and some of it is also used as fuel. Charcoal is also used as a fuel which is made from firewood.

Forests and their products: Different products provided by forests are elucidated. Trees provide us with variety of vegetables and fruits. Trees provide us medicinal products used in curing many diseases and healing

purposes. Trees provide raw material for paper industry, matchstick industry, coir industry

etc. Trees provide us with latex, gums and resins. Trees inhabit lac insects which in turn provide us lac. Trees support bee-hives which in turn provide us honey and bee wax. Forests provide us with spices and oils. Forests are abode of wildlife. We obtain bones, hides and fur from animals. Animal bones are used in making animal charcoal. Charcoal is used as a source of

energy in sugar industries and oil refineries.

Forests as breeding grounds:Since forests are natural habitat for a variety of wild plants and wild animals, there is a lot of chance for inter breeding of organisms. Due to safe and favourable environment for breeding, there is a chance for evolution

of new life.

Forests and tribals:Forests provide shelter for many people along with animals and plants. The people living in forests are termed to be tribals. Tribals depend on forests for their livelihood. Forests act as a protective camouflage for the organisms living in them.

DeforestationDestruction of trees in the forest area and converting large area of land as a habitat for human beings is called as deforestation. Deforestation has many ill-effects on the environment.

Loss of forest products provide by plants and animals living in the forests Loss of different species of animals and plants. Food chains are disturbed due to

their loss. Soil is eroded easily by wind and water. Increase of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere due to the absence of trees for

absorbing this gas. Increased CO2 levels lead to global warming which inturn cause melting of polar

icecaps. Rainfall becomes scanty as there are no trees. Tribals living in the forests lose their habitat.

Afforestation

Afforestation is planting of trees in barren lands to increase the area under forests. Afforestation influences the climate of a particular area and shows positive effect on

the environment. Afforestation helps in restoring balance in the environment. Government has to insist on everybody planting trees in their lifetime. Government has to take necessary actions in converting waste lands into forests.

1. Weightage as per sub units (Content Analysis)

SUBUNIT % OF MARKS

MARKS OBTAINED

1- CHARECTERISTICS AND COMPONENTS OF FOREST

30 12

2- INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPONENTS OF FOREST

40 16

3- IMPORTANCE OF FOREST 30 12 TOTAL 100 40

2. Weightage to Objectives / learning outcomes

OBJECTIVES % OF MARKS MARKS OBTAINED

KNOWLEDGE 37.5 15UNDERSTANDING 37.5 15

APPLICATION 25 10

TOTAL 100 40

3. Weightage to different forms of Question

TYPES OF QUESTION

UNIT-1 UNIT-2 UNIT-3 TOTAL ITEMS

MARKS OBTAINED

% OF MARKS

OBJECTIVE TYPE-1

1(1) 1(1) 3(3) 5 5 12.5

OBJECTIVE TYPE-2

2(2) 2(2) 1(1) 5 5 12.5

SHORT ANSWER

2(4) 4(8) 1(2) 7 14 35

LONG ANSWER

1(5) 1(5) 1(6) 3 16 40

TOTAL ITEMS

6 8 6 20 - -

MARKS OBTAINED

12 16 12 - 40 -

% OF MARKS

30 40 30 - - 100

Justification of Weightage

1- Weightage as per sub units:

All the three sub-units have almost same weightage as all the three are equally

important. Students must know structure of forest, interdependence between the

components of forest and importance of the forest. Students have also studied

structure of forest and importance of forest in social-science subject. Therefore

Interdependence sub-unit has given relatively more weightage and also because

this is the area where students have their own life experience. Here they can

explore their real life examples and connect them with the real science.

2- Weightage to Objectives:

Here knowledge and understanding has given equal weightage as this is the

foundation of the chapter. If the base is stronger, the building will definitely

become stronger therefore application part has relatively lower weightage.

Student must have basic knowledge and understanding about forest- structure,

its relationship with other components and its importance, and then only they

can apply their knowledge and understanding in real life.

Blue print

Obj Knowledge Understanding Application Total Items

Marks %

Sub Units

Obj -1

Obj -2

SA LA Obj-1

Obj-2

SA LA Obj-

Obj-

SA LA

I 1(1) ---

1(2)

1(5) --- 2(2) 1(2) --- --- --- --- ---- 6 12 30

II 1(1) 2(2) 1(2)

--- --- --- 2(4) 1(5) --- --- 1(2) --- 8 16 40

III 1(1) 1(1) ---- --- 2(2) --- --- --- --- --- 1(2) 1(6)

6 12 30

Total Items

3 3 2 1 2 2 3 1 --- --- 2 1 20 --- ---

Marks

3 3 4 5 2 2 6 5 --- --- 4 6 --- 40 ---

% 7.5 7.5 10 12.5 5 5 15 12.5 --- --- 10 15 --- --- 100

37.54% (15 Marks)

37.5% (15 Marks)

25% (10 Marks)

QUESTION BANK

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:1.  The item that is not a product of Forest (K)a.  Sealing Waxb.  Honeyc.  Wooden statued.  Salt

2.  The branchy part of a tree above the stem is known as (K)a.  Canopy b.  Crown c.  Herbd.  Shrub 

3.  A forest consists of (K)a.  Numerous insects, spiders b.  Floor covered with dead and decaying leavesc.  Animals and Plantsd.  All of the above

4.  Find the missing word from the following equation Grass→insects→frog→_______→eagle (K)a.  Peacockb.  Snakec.  Koeld.  Crow

5.  Micro-organisms act upon the dead plants to produce (K)a.  Sandb.  Mushrooms c.  Humus d.  Wood

6.  Which of the following statements is not correct? (U)a.  Forests protect the soil from erosionb.  Plants and animals in a forest are not dependent on one anotherc.  Forests influence the climate and water cycled.  Soil helps forests to grow and regenerate

7.  Forests (K)a.  Provide us with oxygenb.  They protect soil and provide habitat to a large number of animalsc.  A source of medicinal plants d.  All of the above

8.  Mushroom and other micro-organisms eat (K)a.  Brinjalb.  Rice

c.   Humusd.  wax 9.  Forests are called (U)a.  Green lungs b.  Black skinc.  Red kidney  d.  Brown heart

10.  Floods can be controlled by (U)a.  Forestsb.  Constructing temporary sheltersc.  Constructing Pitsd.  By allowing the water to flow into the sea

11: Micro-organisms act upon the dead plants to produce (K)a. Humusb. Sandc. Woodd. Mushroom

12: Which of the following is not a forest product? (K)a. Plywoodb. Sealing waxc. Gumd. Kerosene

13: Forest is on the verge of disappearing because of (U)a. Overgrazing of animalsb. Indiscriminate felling of treesc. Urbanisationd. All of the above

14: The advantage of living in an area nearby or surrounded by forest is: (U)a. Less rainfallb. Less noise pollutionc. Unpleasant weatherd. None of these

15: Which of the following statements is not correct? (U)(i) Forests protect the soil from erosion.(ii) Plants and animals in a forest are not dependent on one another.(iii) Forests influence the climate and water cycle.(iv) Soil helps forests to grow and regenerate. 

VERY SHORT QUESTION:

1: Name the resource that serves as green lungs and water purifying systems in nature. (K)

2: Elephants and Jackals live in the deeper area of the forest.True/False (K)

3: Forest provides a ______________ for many animals and plants. (U)

4: What is crown of the tree? (K)

5: What is Endemic species? (K)

6: There is similar kind of trees in every forest.True/False (U)

7: The types of animal also differ from forest to ____________. (U)

8: Name some insects found in forest. (K)

9: Grass is eaten by____________ which in turn is taken by __________. (K)

10: Complete the following food chain: Grass --->Insects __________ --->snake ---> ________. (K)

11: Name the process by which plants release oxygen. (K)

12: Plants also maintain balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.True/False (U)

13: The decaying animal _______________ provides nutrients to the seedling in the forest to grow. (K)

14: Name the living organism that helps in maintaining the supply of nutrients to the growing plants in the forest. (K)

15: Forest is dynamic living__________. (K)

SHORT QUESTIONS:

1: Discuss the role of forest in maintaining the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. (K)

2: There is no waste in a forest. Explain (K)

3: Explain how animals dwelling in the forest help it grow and regenerate. (A)

4: Why even after a heavy rainfall, the ground in the forest remains dry? (U)

5: If there were fewer trees, how will the water cycle be affected? (A)

6: How water pollution will be affected with the depletion of forest? (K)

7: Why forest floor seemed to be dark coloured? (U) 

8: Define the following: (K) Crown Understoreys

 9: What do you mean by canopy? (K)

10: What is the interrelationship between plants, soil and decomposers? (U)

11: What happens if an animal dies in the forest? (U)

12: Differentiate between humus and decomposers. (U)

13: If there were fewer trees, how will the water cycle be affected? (A)

14: Explain why there is a need of variety of animals and plants in a forest? (U)

15: The micro-organisms called decomposers play an important role in the forest. Discuss (K)

LONG QUEATION:

1: Explain why forest is called “the dynamic living entity”? (K)

2: Explain how animals dwelling in the forest help it grow and regenerate. (K)

3: Explain the importance of forest. (U)

4: What would happen if forests disappear? (A)

5: Explain why there would be the chances of increase in carbon dioxide with the decrease in number of forests? (A)

6: Explain why there is a need of variety of animals and plants in a forest? (U)

7: The micro-organisms called decomposers play an important role in the forest . Discuss (K)

NAME_____________________________________ TIME: 45 MIN.

ROLL NO._______ MARKS: 40

(A) MARK THE CORRECT ANSWER. 5

Q.1: A forest consists of (K)a. Numerous insects, spiders b. Floor covered with dead and decaying leavesc. Animals and Plantsd. All of the above

Q.2: Find the missing word from the following equation Grass→insects→frog→_______→eagle (K)a. Peacockb. Snakec. Koeld. Crow

Q.3: Forest is on the verge of disappearing because of (U)a. Overgrazing of animalsb. Indiscriminate felling of treesc. Urbanisationd. All of the above

Q.4: Forests (K)a. Provide us with oxygenb. They protect soil and provide habitat to a large number of animalsc. A source of medicinal plants d. All of the above

Q.5: Which of the following statements is not correct? (U)a. Forests protect the soil from erosion.b. Plants and animals in a forest are not dependent on one another.c. Forests influence the climate and water cycle.d. Soil helps forests to grow and regenerate.

FILL IN THE BLANKS. 5

Q.1: The types of animal also differ from forest to ____________. (U)

Q.2: Grass is eaten by____________ which in turn is taken by __________. (K)

Q.3: Forest is dynamic living__________. (K)

Q.4: Forest provides a ______________ for many animals and plants. (U)

Q.5: The decaying animal _______________ provides nutrients to the seedling in the forest to grow. (K)

(B) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IN BREIF 14

Q.1: Define the following: (K) Crown Understoreys

Q.2: Discuss the role of forest in maintaining the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. (K)

Q.3: Why even after a heavy rainfall, the ground in the forest remains dry? (U)

Q.4: What happens if an animal dies in the forest? (U)

Q.5: Explain why there is a need of variety of animals and plants in a forest? (U)

Q.6: Explain how animals dwelling in the forest help it grow and regenerate. (A)

Q.7: If there were fewer trees, how will the water cycle be affected? (A)

(C) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION IN DETAIL.

Q.1: Explain why forest is called “the dynamic living entity”? (K) 5

Q.2 Explain why there is a need of variety of animals and plants in a forest? (U) 5

Q.3: What would happen if forests disappear? (A) 6