Chapter 4: Forest

Question 1

What is a forest?

Answer 1

• Forest is a complex ecological system of land dominated by trees covering 4.8% of the land of Pakistan.

Question 2

What are the two types of forests and what are the differences?

Answer 2

Productive: One third of the area of Pakistan is covered with these forests. They are natural forests having high density of trees and canopy is closed they have great commercial value. Timber is usually
extracted.

• Protective: These are man-made forests. They are linear plantations mostly in parks and along roads and railway lines. They prevent soil from erosion.

Question 3

What is the importance of forests?

Answer 3

• Fuelwood
• Provides shade and Natural habitat for animals
• Prevent soil erosion & Increase soil fertility
• Reduces pollution

Question 4

What is the Area, description, and importance of Alpine trees?

Answer 4

• Northern areas
• Stunted growth due to low
  temperature and sunlight
• Fuelwood

Question 5

What is the Area, description, and importance of Coniferous trees?

Answer 5

• Northern Areas, KPK, Balochistan Mountains
• Evergreen forests with conical
  shape
• Timber, and environmental
  protection

Question 6

What is the Area, description, and importance of Tropical Thorn (Rakh) trees?

Answer 6

• Sindh Plain, Punjab Plain, and Balochistan
• Low-height forest with thorny hardwood
• Firewood

Question 7

What is the area, and what is the description and importance of mangrove trees?

Answer 7

• Coastal Areas of Sindh and Balochistan
• Low trees and shrubs on tidal mud flats
• Firewood, breeding grounds, and coastal protection

Question 8

What is the Area, description, and importance of Riverain or Bela trees?

Answer 8

• River Indus & its tributaries
• Linear plantation along the banks of rivers
• Provide Shishum & Babul for making furniture, agricultural implements

Question 9

What is the Area, description, and importance of Irrigated trees?

Answer 9

• Changa Manga, Wan Bachran, Chichawatni, Ghulam Mohammad,
  and Guddu Barrages
• Economically important species planted in large blocks
• Timber, firewood, and shade

Question 10

What are some factors determining the type of forest?

Answer 10

• Areas with different altitudes have different types of forests
• Higher Precipitation in Northern Mountain encourages the growth of Coniferous Forest
• Edaphic Factors(types of soil) also determine the type and density of Forest in Pakistan
• In the Hub and Indus Delta, the deposition of alluvium encourages the growth of Mangrove Forest

Question 11

Define Deforestation

Answer 11

• Excess cutting of trees in a land is called deforestation

Question 12

What are some causes of deforestation?

Answer 12

• For fuel wood as well as timber for industries
• Urbanisation, e.g building roads, and railways
• Clearing lands for farming (growing crops) + MINING
• Overgrazing by animals

Question 13

What are some effects of deforestation?

Answer 13

• Exposure to soil leads to erosion and the Upper topsoil humus layer is eroded
• Loss of habitat for animals
• Increases pollution
• Brings less rainfall

Question 14

What are some solutions to tackle deforestation?

Answer 14

• Establish Afforestation programs
• Find a substitute for furniture
• Selective cutting methods be used
• Reserve land to grow fuel wood species

Question 15

Define Sustainable Forestry

Answer 15

• Sustainable Forestry refers to the use of forests and forest lands in such a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their demands

Question 16

What are some ways to sustain forests?

Answer 16

• Planting trees to fill, and replace gaps in forests, especially in vulnerable areas such as on slopes
• Use dead branches for firewood rather than chopping trees down
• Educate and train local people in sustainable ways of use
• Harvesting of hardwoods