Question

Forest are responsible for
A. Ecological balance
B. Prevention of soil erosion and flood
C. Pollution free environment
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Forests house a lot of animals and plants that are interdependent on each other and form a complex ecosystem. Forests are highly advantageous as they are able to protect and preserve the environment by their own natural mechanisms.
Deforestation and overuse or misuse of forest resources can have a negative impact on the entire planet.

Complete answer:
Forests are responsible for:
- Ecological balance
- Prevention of soil erosion and flood
- Pollution-free environment

Ecological balance: It refers to the equilibrium between all the elements of the environment, i.e. plants, animals, and human beings. The whole ecosystem can collapse even if one element is affected.
In forests, trees and plants help in maintaining the water cycle. Besides that, they are even a major part of the food chain. Herbivorous animals feed on these plants and in turn, certain carnivorous animals feed on them. The cycle continues.
Basically, ecological balance ensures the continuity of organisms in a particular ecosystem.

Prevention of soil erosion and flood: As mentioned before, forests are home to a lot of trees. The roots of the trees bind the soil and prevent it from eroding. At the same time, the roots also absorb the water from rainfall, thereby preventing floods.

Pollution-free environment: The plants and trees in a forest absorb carbon dioxide from the environment and give out oxygen as part of photosynthesis. So, forests are important as they help in maintaining the level of oxygen in the environment.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Forests provide shelter to various organisms – from small lizards to full-grown tigers. Forests help in preventing global warming by not allowing the carbon dioxide levels to increase in the atmosphere. Forests can even prevent fires. Most of the forest fires happen because of deforestation and dead forests that are dry and lack moisture.