The Earth’s forest cover provides a natural protection to all of us. Forests are home to numerous wildlife species. At the same time, they help us meet our social and economic needs. Forests also help regulate the environment. The main functions of forests are protective, regulative and productive.
i. Forests act as a natural habitat for a variety of flora and fauna. Without the forest cover, a number of species would have no place to survive. Thus, by supporting so many species, forests also protect biodiversity. Due to deforestation activities, a large number of species of flora and fauna are endangered.
ii. Forests help maintain the climatic environment of the Earth. They regulate climatic temperature.
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iii. The trees in these forests absorb the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere. Since forests remove carbon dioxide, they help to bring down the pollution level in our surroundings and reduce global warming.
iv. Trees in the forests give out oxygen in the environment. Oxygen is vital for life on earth to continue.
v. Forests act as a natural cover for the soil’s surface. These natural catchments do not allow the rainwater to take away surface soil. Thus, they prevent soil erosion on one hand and siltation in rivers and seas on the other hand.
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vi .Forests also control floods and their hydrological cycle avoids calamities like droughts.
vii. A number of raw materials required by industries such as the paper and mining industries are found in the forests.
viii. Forests provide for economic needs of human beings, such as fuel and food supplies.
ix. Forests act as a source of livelihood for a number of people who depend on them for fruits, honey, medicinal plants, sometimes even shelter.