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NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Forests Our Lifeline
Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on May 24, 2025 04:31 PM IST
Class 7 Science Chapter 12, Forests Our Lifeline, describes the important function of forests in ensuring the balance of nature. Forests are nurseries for biodiversity, help maintain the climate, and provide the continuity of the water cycle. Forests offer shelter, oxygen, food, and raw materials. Trees, shrubs, herbs, and decomposers all cooperate to form a dynamic, balanced ecosystem.NCERT Solutions for Class 7 also show how forests are important for our survival and society.
This Story also Contains
- Download PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Forests Our Lifeline
- NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Exercise:
- Important Topics in Chapter 12, Biology Class 7
- Approach to Solve Questions of NCERT Class 7 Chapter 12
- Important Question from Chapter 12
- NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter-Wise
Students also understand how forests prevent soil erosion, decompose nutrients through decomposers, and serve as natural filters to clean water. The NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Forests Our Lifeline provide easy and crisp answers to textbook questions, helping students to understand these concepts easily and prepare well for examinations.
Download PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Forests Our Lifeline
You can download the PDF of the solutions below for future use:
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NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Exercise:
The answers are explained in detail by experienced subject experts.
1. Explain how animals dwelling in the forest help it grow and regenerate.
Answer:
Animals play a number of roles in helping the forests regenerate. The herbivores restrict the overgrowth of the grass and other plants by devouring them as food. The herbivores themselves support the survival of carnivores by being their food.
Their wastes help maintain the nutrition of the soil, and once they di,e their carcasses are decomposed by microorganisms ,and this enriches the soil. The flora and fauna flourish by being mutually beneficial to each other.
2 . Explain how forests prevent floods.
Answer:
Forests prevent floods by the following way
1. Forests don't let the rainwater directly reach the ground, and much of it remains on the canopy of the forest.
2. The roots of the trees and plants absorb large amounts of groundwate,r thus maintaining the level of water in the soil.
3. The roots also bind the soil, without which rain will cause the soil to erode and wash away.
3. What are decomposers? Name any two of them. What do they do in the forest?
Answer:
Decomposers are microorganisms which decompose the dead bodies of plants and animals. They not only clean the environment by decomposing the dead bodies, but also give back the nutrients to the soil, thus maintaining the nutrition of the soil.
Examples of decomposers include bacteria and some fungi, like the water fungus.
Answer:
Oxygen is essential for the survival of all animals. This oxygen required is released by plants and trees during the process of photosynthesis. Other animals inhale this oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide during respiration. This carbon dioxide serves as raw material to the plants for photosynthesis.
This cycle helps maintain the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and a high number of trees ensures that this cycle runs properly.
5. Explain why there is no waste in a forest.
Answer:
There is no waste in forests, as all the body waste generated by the animals and the dead bodies of plants and animals are decomposed by microorganisms, and thus no waste piles up in the forests.
6. List five products we get from forests?
Answer:
Five products which we get from the forest are:
(i) Medicines.
(ii) Firewood or wood for making furniture and paper.
(iii) Honey.
(iv) Gum and wax.
(v) Fruits
7. Fill in the blanks:
Answer:
(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 lowest layer in the forest.
(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?
Answer:
We should be worried about the conditions and issues related to forests far from us because deforestation would lead to a decreased level of oxygen in the atmosphere, which is essential for the survival of all living beings. Deforestation also would lead to increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmospheree which causes the greenhouse effect and thus results in global warming.
Lack of forests would lead to floods, soil erosion and disturbance of the ecosystem and thus the destruction of the forests would certainly harm humans directly or indirectly, and this, therefore, must be a matter of concern for us all.
9. Explain why there is a need of a variety of animals and plants in a forest.
Answer:
All organisms residing at different levels of the food chain have some role or the other to play, required for a balanced ecosystem. For example, plants and grass serve as food for the herbivores, which serve as food for the carnivores, and when these herbivores and carnivores die, their dead bodies are devoured by microorganisms and insects living the soil and once these dead bodies are decompose,d this enriches the soi,l which is essential for the plants.
Thus, there is a need for a variety of animals and plants in a forest.
Answer:
The following is the labelled diagram:
11. Which of the following is not a forest product?
(i) Gum
(ii) Plywood
(iii) Sealing wax
(iv) Kerosene
Answer:
Kerosene is not a forest product.
(iv) is the correct answer.
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.
Answer:
Plants and animals in a forest are dependent on one another.
(ii) is the correct answer.
13. Micro-organisms act upon the dead plants to produce
(i) sand (ii) mushrooms (iii) humus (iv) wood
Answer:
Microorganisms act upon the dead plants to produce humus.
(iii) is the correct answer.
Also, check out the NCERT Books and the NCERT Syllabus
Important Topics in Chapter 12, Biology Class 7
Some key topics of Forests Our Lifeline are:
| Key Topics | Description |
|---|---|
| Definition and Importance of Forests | Understanding forests as a habitat and their role in maintaining ecological balance. |
| Structure and Layers of Forests | Study of canopy, understory, forest floor, and their significance. |
| Interdependence in Forest Ecosystem | Interaction between plants, animals, microorganisms, and abiotic components. |
| Products Obtained from Forests | Resources like wood, medicinal plants, paper, gum, and oils are derived from forests. |
| Role of Forests in Photosynthesis and Water Cycle | Contribution of forests to the oxygen-carbon dioxide balance and water regulation. |
| Prevention of Soil Erosion and Floods | How forests help in reducing soil erosion and managing floods. |
| Deforestation and Its Effects | Causes, consequences, and impact on biodiversity and climate. |
| Conservation of Forests | Methods like afforestation, reforestation, and sustainable practices. |
Approach to Solve Questions of NCERT Class 7 Chapter 12
To answer Forests Our Lifeline questions, simply apply the following steps:
- Discover the importance of forests, how they maintain ecological equilibrium and support life on our planet.
- Study different types of forests of India: Tropical Evergreen, Tropical Deciduous, Thorn Forests, and Montane Forests.
- Study major features such as climate, place, tree and animal type, and organisational structure of forest ecosystems.
- Try examples of every type of forest, i.e., Western Ghats for Tropical Evergreen or Himalayan forests for Montane Forests.
- Practice answering questions on the causes and effects of deforestation, human activities, and environmental impacts.
- Underline definitions and features of the key terms such as biodiversity, deforestation, afforestation, reforestation, and conservation practices.
Important Question from Chapter 12
1. The branchy portion of a tree above the stem is referred to as:
a) Litter
b) Humus
c) Crown
d) None of the above
Answer: c) Crown
Explanation:
The crown of a tree refers to the upper, branchy part above the main stem or trunk. It includes the branches, leaves, and any reproductive structures. The crown is responsible for capturing sunlight for photosynthesis, providing shade, and supporting the tree’s overall growth and health. In contrast, "litter" refers to fallen leaves and twigs on the ground, and "humus" is the organic component of soil formed from decomposed plant material.
NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science Chapter-Wise
The chapterwise solutions are given below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do animals dwelling in the forest help it grow and regenerate?
Animals play a vital role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds, which helps new plants grow in different areas. Their excreta and decomposing bodies enrich the soil with nutrients, and microorganisms convert this organic matter into humus, further enhancing soil fertility.
2. What are decomposers? Name any two and explain their role in the forest.
Decomposers are microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi that break down dead plants and animals into humus. This process recycles nutrients back into the soil, supporting plant growth and maintaining the forest ecosystem.
3. How do forests help maintain the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Forests absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen, helping to balance the levels of these gases in the atmosphere. This natural process makes forests crucial for maintaining air quality and supporting life on Earth.
4. Why is there no waste in a forest?
Forests have a natural recycling system. Decomposers break down all dead organic matter into nutrients, which are then reused by plants. As a result, nothing goes to waste in a forest ecosystem.
5. How do forests prevent floods?
Plants and trees in forests slow down the flow of rainwater, allowing it to seep into the soil. Their roots hold the soil together, preventing soil erosion and reducing the risk of floods
6. How do plants and animals depend on each other in a forest?
Plants provide food and oxygen for animals, while animals aid in pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling through decomposition
7. What is the role of trees in maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide?
Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen, helping to regulate atmospheric gases and mitigate climate change
8. How do forests help in controlling floods?
Forests act as natural barriers by absorbing rainfall and slowing water runoff, reducing flood risks
9. What are the different layers of a forest?
Forests have four layers:
Emergent layer: Tallest trees exposed to sunlight.
Canopy: Dense layer of closely spaced trees.
Understory: Shrubs and smaller plants beneath the canopy.
Forest floor: Dark layer with decomposing organic matter
10. What happens when forests are destroyed?
Deforestation leads to habitat loss, climate imbalance, increased carbon dioxide levels, soil erosion, and disruption of ecosystems
11. How does deforestation affect the environment?
Deforestation contributes to global warming, reduces biodiversity, disrupts water cycles, and increases natural disasters like floods and landslides
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