Lesson Plan

• The forest is a complex ecosystem consisting mainly of trees that have formed a buffer for the earth to protect life forms. The trees which make up the main area of the forest create a special environment which, in turn, affects the kinds of animals and plants that can exist in the forest. Forests can be broadly classified into many types, some of which are the Taiga type (consisting of pines, spruce, etc.) the mixed temperate forests with both coniferous an deciduous trees, the temperate forests, the sub tropical forests, the tropical forests, and the equatorial rainforests.

• In India it is believed that organized exploitation of forest wealth began with an increase in hunting. Ashoka the Great is said to have set up the first sanctuary to protect the forests and all life in it. The Mughal rulers were avid hunters and spent a great deal of time in the forests.

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• ​Open Areas

• ​Mangrove

• ​Scrubs

• ​Dense Forest

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• Forests play a vital role in the preservation of the water cycle. Plants absorb water from the ground through their roots. Excess water from the plants is released into the atmosphere in the form of water vapour. This process is termed as transpiration. Plants release a huge amount of water into the atmosphere through transpiration.

• A single apple tree looses as much as 30 litres of water in a day.

• The water vapour rises in the atmosphere and condenses to form clouds. The clouds move to the land due to sea breeze and bring rain. This is called precipitation. Excess water seeps into the ground and reaches the ground water table.