Forests: Our Lifeline - Questions and Answers
Class 7 Science Part 2 Chapter 8
Assam State Education Board Syllabus 2025-2026 Covered
This chapter explains the importance of forests, their role in maintaining ecological balance, and conservation methods. Below are the important questions and answers from NCERT & SCERT Assam Class 7 Science Chapter 8 - Forests: Our Lifeline, based on the Assam State Education Board syllabus for 2025-2026.
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Join Our WhatsAppIntroduction to Forests - Our Lifeline
- Forests are large areas covered with trees, plants, and wildlife.
- They provide oxygen, maintain the water cycle, and support biodiversity.
- Forests are essential for ecological balance and human survival.
Class 7 Science Question Answer – Part 2
Below are the chapters of Class 7 Science Part 2. Click on the chapter name to access the respective question-and-answer content:
- Fibre to Fabric
- Respiration in Organisms
- Transportation in Animals and Plants
- Reproduction in Plants
- Electric Current and its Effects
- Light
- Water: A Precious Resource
- Forests: Our Lifeline
- Wastewater Story
1. Explain how animals dwelling in the forest help it grow and regenerate.
(i) Animals help in seed dispersal.
(ii) Animal dung provides nutrients for plants.
(iii) Microorganisms convert dead plants and animals into humus, enriching the soil.
2. Explain how forests prevent floods.
Ans:- Plants in the forests will not allow the rainwater to fall directly on the earth, and these plants also hold water which helps in preventing floods.Plants absorb water, preventing excessive flow.
3. What are decomposers? Name any two of them. What do they do in the forest?
Ans:- Decomposers are microorganisms that break down dead plants and animals into humus.
Examples: Bacteria and Fungi.
They help recycle nutrients in the ecosystem.
4. Explain the role of forests in maintaining the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Ans:- Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, balancing the gases.
5. Explain why there is no waste in a forest.
Ans:- There is no waste in a forest because the waste created is bio-degradable, which gets converted to humus by the action of microorganisms.
6. List five products we get from forests.
Ans:- List five products we get from forests.
(i) Medicines
(ii) Spices
(iii) Wood
(iv) Paper
(v) Gum
7. Fill in the blanks:
(a) The insects, butterflies, honeybees, and birds help flowering plants in pollination.
(b) A forest is a purifier of air and water.
(c) Herbs form the layer in the forest bottom layer.
(d) The decaying leaves and animal droppings in a forest enrich the soil.
8. Why should we worry about the conditions and issues related to forests far from us?
Ans:- (i) Global warming due to increased CO₂
(ii) Soil erosion from deforestation.
(iii) Loss of wildlife habitat.
(iv) Increased floods due to lack of trees.
(v) Desertification (land becoming barren).
9. Explain why there is a need for a variety of animals and plants in a forest.
Ans:- (i) Different plants support herbivores, which feed carnivores.
(ii) Decomposers recycle nutrients into the soil.
(iii) Biodiversity makes forests self-sustaining.
10. In Fig. 17.15, the artist has forgotten to put the labels and directions on the arrows. Mark the directions on the arrows and label the diagram using the following labels: clouds, rain, atmosphere, carbon dioxide, oxygen, plants, animals, soil, roots, and water table.
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Ans:-
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11. Which of the following is not a forest product?
(i) Gum
(ii) Plywood
(iii) Sealing wax
(iv) Kerosene
Ans:- (iv) Kerosene
12. Which of the following statements is not correct?
(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.
Ans:- (ii) Plants and animals in a forest are not dependent on one another.
13. Micro-organisms act upon the dead plants to produce
(i) sand
(ii) mushrooms
(iii) humus
(iv) wood
Ans: (iii) humus
Class 7 Science Chapter 8 - Important Questions & Answers
Q1: What are forests?
Answer: Forests are large areas covered with trees, plants, animals, and microorganisms that form a complex ecosystem. They help in maintaining ecological balance by providing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, and supporting biodiversity.
Q2: Why are forests called the lifeline of Earth?
Answer: Forests are called the lifeline of Earth because they:
- Provide oxygen through photosynthesis.
- Absorb carbon dioxide, reducing global warming.
- Maintain the water cycle by causing rainfall.
- Support biodiversity by providing habitat to various species.
- Prevent soil erosion and maintain soil fertility.
Q3: How do forests help in maintaining the water cycle?
Answer: Forests help in maintaining the water cycle by:
- Absorbing water from the soil and releasing it into the atmosphere through transpiration.
- Increasing rainfall by releasing moisture into the air.
- Preventing water runoff and recharging groundwater.
Q4: What are the different layers of a forest?
Answer: The different layers of a forest are:
- Emergent Layer: Tallest trees that get direct sunlight.
- Canopy Layer: Dense layer of tree branches and leaves that provide shelter to animals.
- Understory Layer: Small trees and shrubs that grow in the shade of canopy trees.
- Forest Floor: Bottom layer with decomposing leaves, plants, and microorganisms.
Q5: What is deforestation and what are its effects?
Answer: Deforestation is the large-scale cutting down of trees for human activities. Its effects include:
- Loss of biodiversity as animals and plants lose their habitat.
- Increase in global warming due to higher carbon dioxide levels.
- Soil erosion and desertification due to lack of tree roots holding the soil.
- Reduced rainfall leading to droughts and climate change.
Q6: How can we conserve forests?
Answer: Forests can be conserved by:
- Planting more trees (afforestation and reforestation).
- Controlling illegal logging and deforestation.
- Creating wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
- Spreading awareness about the importance of forests.
- Using sustainable forest management practices.
Q7: What is the role of decomposers in a forest?
Answer: Decomposers like fungi and bacteria break down dead plants and animals into nutrients, enriching the soil and maintaining the nutrient cycle.
Q8: What are the different types of forests?
Answer: The different types of forests are:
- Tropical Rainforests (hot and wet, rich in biodiversity).
- Deciduous Forests (trees shed leaves in dry seasons).
- Coniferous Forests (cold regions, evergreen trees like pine and fir).
- Mangrove Forests (found in coastal areas, adapted to saline water).
Q9: How do forests prevent soil erosion?
Answer: Forest roots hold the soil together, preventing it from being washed away by rain and wind.
Q10: What is the role of forests in reducing air pollution?
Answer: Forests absorb harmful gases like carbon dioxide and pollutants, purifying the air and reducing pollution.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1: Which of the following is NOT a function of forests?
A) Providing oxygen
B) Absorbing carbon dioxide
C) Increasing soil erosion
D) Maintaining biodiversity
Answer: C) Increasing soil erosion
Q2: Which layer of the forest receives the most sunlight?
A) Canopy layer
B) Emergent layer
C) Understory layer
D) Forest floor
Answer: B) Emergent layer
Q3: What is the main cause of deforestation?
A) Overgrazing
B) Urbanization and agriculture
C) Wildlife conservation
D) Reforestation
Answer: B) Urbanization and agriculture
Q4: Which of the following is an effect of deforestation?
A) Increase in rainfall
B) Decrease in carbon dioxide levels
C) Soil erosion and climate change
D) Increase in oxygen levels
Answer: C) Soil erosion and climate change
Q5: What is the main purpose of afforestation?
A) Cutting down trees for industries
B) Planting trees to restore forests
C) Expanding cities
D) Increasing pollution
Answer: B) Planting trees to restore forests
FAQs on Forests - Our Lifeline
Q1: How do forests help in climate control?
Answer: Forests absorb carbon dioxide, regulate temperature, and influence rainfall patterns, helping in climate control.
Q2: What are the economic benefits of forests?
Answer: Forests provide timber, medicinal plants, fruits, and raw materials for industries, supporting livelihoods.
Q3: Why should we not cut down forests?
Answer: Cutting down forests leads to loss of biodiversity, climate change, and environmental imbalance.
Q4: What is the difference between afforestation and deforestation?
Afforestation
Deforestation
Planting trees to increase forest cover.
Cutting down trees, reducing forest cover.
Helps in restoring biodiversity.
Leads to loss of biodiversity.
Prevents soil erosion.
Increases soil erosion.
Q5: How do forests support wildlife?
Afforestation | Deforestation |
---|---|
Planting trees to increase forest cover. | Cutting down trees, reducing forest cover. |
Helps in restoring biodiversity. | Leads to loss of biodiversity. |
Prevents soil erosion. | Increases soil erosion. |
Answer: Forests provide shelter, food, and breeding grounds for various animal species, ensuring biodiversity conservation.
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