Chapter2.

FOREST
SECTION ONE - GENERAL FACTS + KEY TERMS

Q What are linear plantations (protective forests)?

Ans: Linear plantation refers to the trees planted along the roads, canals and railway lines. Trees hold the
soil and protect against soil erosion, besides providing shade, reducing pollution and increasing the
afforested area.
Q What are productive forests?
Ans: The term “productive forest” mainly refers to natural forests. Productive forests have high tree
density, and a high commercial value, because they are a source of timber and firewood.

Q State two domestic use of wood.

Ans: Timber is used in the construction of houses, for furniture, doors and windows. Timber is also used
for firewood to cook food, warm homes, and heat water.

Q Explain how wood is used in industry and transport.

Ans: Industry: Wood is used as a raw material for furniture making, paper, matches, and pencils, sports
goods like hockey sticks, bats and rackets. Resin, which is a fluid found in Pine trees, is also used for
making varnishes. Mazri is used for making mats and baskets. Ephedra is a shrub used in pharmaceutical
factories to make medicines.

Transport: In transport, wood is used in making truck bodies, railway carriages, and railroad sleepers
(wooden planks upon which the steel railroad track sits), animal carts, boats and bridges

Q What is sustainable forestry?

Ans: Sustainable forestry means managing the cutting of trees in a way that doesn’t deplete or destroy the
forest. Instead, new trees are constantly being planted to replace the trees that have been cut, and only
mature trees are thinned or harvested. In this way, the forest remains productive for a long time, the soil is
not eroded, and wildlife habitats are preserved.
Deforestation is the opposite of sustainable forestry and it has devastating long term effects on the
environment, wildlife, economy, and public health.

Q Explain the importance of forests for the conservation of the environment in

Pakistan?
Ans: (1) Forests prevent soil erosion and floods.
(2) Forests add oxygen to the air and reduce air pollution.
(3) Forests provide habitats for wildlife.
(4) Forests reduce the overall temperature and attract rainfall. (5) Forests add to the natural beauty of

Pakistan.
Q What is the difference between afforestation and reforestation?
Ans:
Afforestation means to grow a forest on an area where there was no forest before.
Reforestation means growing a forest on a deforested area, or an area that had forests that were cut
down.

Q Why is afforestation called a long term investment?

Ans: Trees take 10 to 20 years to reach maturity to become economically valuable.

Q Describe the distribution of natural and irrigated (man-made) forests.

Ans: Coniferous forests are found in the Northern and North-Western mountains. Gilgit, Chitral, Swat,
Murree, Abbotabad, Mansera, Nathiagali, and Kaghan. Coniferous Forest are also found in Waziristan,
Quetta, Pishin and Ziarat. Below 1000 meters sub-tropical dry forests exist in Rawalpindi/ Islamabad,
Attock, Peshawar, Mardan and Kohat. Mangroves forest are found in the Indus and Hab Delta, and along
the Makran Coast. Irrigated forests are found in Changa Manga, Khanawal, Taunsa, Bahawalpur, Guddu
barrage and Hyderabad.

SECTION TWO - TYPES of FOREST

Topic: Alpine forests.

Q At what altitude are Alpine forests found?

Ans: Alpine forests are high-altitude forests that grow just below the snow line, from 4000 to 4500 meters
above sea level. Alpine plants occur in a tundra.
Q Describe the features of Alpine trees.
Ans: Silver fir, pines, junipers and birches are some important species of trees. These are basically
conifers but at high alpine latitudes, their growth becomes stunted because of extremely cold
weather, i.e. they do not grow to full height. Alpine trees are found in Dir, Chitral, Swat and Kohistan.
Alpine forests are not spread over a great area, they have little economic value. Alpine forests may
provide firewood for local residents.

Q What is a snow line?

Ans: The altitude (height 4500 meters) above which snow remains throughout the year on mountain
peaks, is the snow line. Vegetation cannot grow above the snow line because the ground is icy and
frozen.

Q What is a snowfield?
Ans: A snowfield is a large area covered with snow all throughout the year.

Q Explain why a large part of the Northern Areas is covered with snowfields.
Ans: Snowfields exist over an altitude of 4500 meters because of low temperatures during long winter
months. Heavy snowfall takes place in these areas. During the short summer period, very little snow
melts. The next winter brings even more snowfall, causing the snow to pile up on last year’s snow, and
turning it into hard ice. A snowfield has layers and layers of hard ice formed over a period of years. These
layers never melt completely, forming a permanent snowfield.

Topic: Coniferous forests.

Q At what altitude are coniferous trees found?
Ans: From 1000 to 4000 meters.

Q Name the types of coniferous trees.

Ans: Fir, Silver Fir, Spruce, Birch, Deodar, Pine, Larch and Juniper. Trees that produce cones (e.g. pine
cone) instead of flowers are conifers.

Q Name the places where coniferous trees are found in Pakistan.

Ans: In K.P.K - Abottabad, Mansehra, Swat
In Punjab - Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Muree
In Balochistan - Quetta and Kalat

Q How have coniferous trees and plants adapted to survive in the climate of the Northern
Areas?
Ans: 1) Coniferous trees have thick bark to protect them from low temperatures,
2) they have needle-like leaves to reduce water loss through transpiration,
3) they have downward sloping branches to let snow slide-off,
4) they have long shallow roots to provide strength against winds and absorb water.
 5) Confers are known as evergreens, they do not shed and regrow their leaves and this saves
energy.

Topic: Tropical Thorn forests.

Q Describe the features of a tropical thorn forest.
Ans: These are short, thorny hardwood trees, 6-10 m high. They are also known as Rakh. These trees
have long roots so they can live on a very small amount of water in arid conditions. Acacia and Salvadora
are common types of trees found in tropical thorn forests, they are used as firewood.

Topic: Sub-Tropical Scrub Forests.

Q Name the places where Sub-Tropical Scrub Forest are found?

Ans: These forests are found in: Due to optimum environmental conditions the trees grow to reasonable
good height
They remain green for longer time

Balochistan - Sulaiman Range, Kirthar Range

Punjab - In the foothills of the lower Himalayas (Margalls Hills). K.P.K in the Western Mountains
(Peshawar, Kohat and Mardan).

Q What are the main features of a Sub-Tropical Scrub Forest?

Ans: Sub-tropical scrub forests have broad-leafed thorny trees. They may be used for grazing cattle
(goats and sheep), and they provide firewood. The branches are too weak and thin to be used for
construction or furniture.

Topic: Riverine Forests aka Bela Forests.

Q At what altitude are riverine forests found?
Ans: Below 1000 meters, in the low-land plains, on the banks of rivers.

Q Describe the features of a riverine forest.

Ans: Riverine forests are found along the banks of the Indus River and its tributaries locally known
as Bela forests. Riverine forests mostly grow in the fertile soil of the active flood plains on either side of
various rivers. Babul, Shisham, Willow, Darek (Jacaranda) and Jhand are common types of trees found in
Riverine forests. Most of their wood is useful for firewood. Shisham trees can be used for making furniture

or homes.

Topic: Mangrove Forests.

Q Name the types of mangrove trees.
Ans: Avicennia Marina and Red Mangrove are 2 out of 8 mangrove tree species found in Pakistan - 4 of
these are already extinct, and 3 including Red Mangrove, are endangered.
Mangrove trees grow in tidal estuaries, in salt marshes and on muddy coasts. They have prop roots that
“breathe” by rising above the water and allowing air to enter through small openings (lenticels) so it can
pass down to the roots beneath the mud.

Q Why is this type of forest found along coastal areas?

Ans: Mangrove forest grows in coastal areas and wetlands, which are drained by both fresh river water
and salty seawater. These trees can live in salty seawater. The roots of Mangrove trees can filter the salt.
These trees have stunted (slow) growth due to water pollution. Mangrove trees can grow up to 8 meters in
case of favorable (good) conditions. Mangrove forests provide a safe zone for fish to lay eggs, they
protect the land from harsh waves, and are very valuable for the environment.

Q Name the areas where Mangrove forests are found.

Ans: Indus Delta and Hub Delta, along the Makran Coast in Ormara, Gwadar, and Jiwani.

Q What are advantages of Mangrove trees?

Ans: (1) Mangrove trees are a breeding ground for shrimp, crabs, lobsters and other valuable marine fish
that are captured by fishermen for trade, hence mangroves are important for economic activity.
(2) Mangroves are a wildlife habitat for fish, plants, crutaceans, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
(3) Mangroves protect the coastal land from erosion by seawater and strong tidal waves and sea breezes,
(4) Mangroves add oxygen to the atmosphere, trap carbon dioxide and reduce pollution,
(5) Mangrove forests are a shelterbelt against cyclones,
(6) Locals use mangrove leaves to feed livestock and make medicine,
(7) Mangrove wood is very valuable because it is resistant to rot and insects,
(8) Mangrove forests have been harvested for pulp, woodchip, and charcoal production, but should be
protected from commercial activity.

Q Why has the area covered by Mangrove forests decreased in recent years?
Ans: Commercial development of coastlines, diverting of freshwater from the Indus, careless cutting of
trees for firewood and timber, overgrazing, oil spills and water pollution (factories and city waste from
Karachi and other areas) have damaged the mangrove forests and associated wetlands.

SECTION THREE - HUMAN INTERVENTION

Topic: Irrigated Forests.

Q Why does Pakistan need to increase the area of its irrigated forests?
Ans: In Pakistan, less than 5% of the national landmass is covered with forest. There is a shortage of
wood and timber in Pakistan. There is not enough rainfall to support natural forests in the lower Indus
plains. To ensure a steady supply of firewood and timber, people have dug canals and water channels to
irrigate man-made forests. Irrigated forests are sustainable and commercially valuable. They also improve
the environment

Q Describe the main features of an irrigated forest.

Ans: Irrigated forests are planted with high-value trees that will yield a profit. Trees like Shisham, Babul,
Jhand, and Euclyptus are grown to provide firewood and timber.

Q Name the places where irrigated forests are being grown.

Ans: Irrigated forests are common in the lower Indus plains aka Punjab: Changa Manga near Lahore,
Chichawatni, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Taunsa Barrage and Ghuddu Barrages.

Q Explain the advantages and disadvantages of developing more irrigated plantation in the
Indus Delta?
Ans: Advantages: Irrigated forest areas will (1) Provide timber for furniture and construction, as well as
firewood,
(2) provide fruit and medicinal ingredients for people,
(3) provide fodder for animals, (3) support bees, birds and wildlife.
 (4) The forest floor adds fertility and nutrients to arid and degraded soil, this happens because leaves fall
and decompose turning into “humus”.
(5) Forests also prevent soil erosion by wind, rainwater or extreme weather,
(6) add to the natural beauty of a place,
(7) reduce pollution, (
8) and extract/ remove toxins and even radioactive waste from the soil - storing it in their trees and
branches.

Disadvantages: Irrigated forest areas are

(1) expensive, high-cost investments that take up money and property,
(2) they are long-term investments that do not provide a product for 10-20 years (unlike cheaper crops
that are ready for harvest in a few months),
(3) they need irrigation and a man-made water supply.

Q Why is irrigation necessary for new forest plantations?

Ans: (1) In the Indus plain, there is not enough rainfall, and the rate of evaporation/transpiration is high
due to the hot temperatures, without irrigation, the forest will not have the water it needs to grow properly.
(2) The rainfall is seasonal and does not provide a yearlong supply of water. (3) Irrigated soil is wetter and
heavier, it cannot be easily eroded by strong winds and dust storms.

Topic: Deforestation.

Q State the causes of deforestation.

Ans: (1) Deforestation is caused by the cutting down of trees, motivated by the need for firewood, the
desire to sell the valuable trees for timber, and the need for wood to build homes.
(2) Sometimes trees are cut to clear a piece of land for farming crops.
(3) Forested areas are destroyed in order to build homes, roads, mines, housing societies and dams.
(4) factories may cut trees to access raw material below the land, or to use as raw material
(6) Droughts, landslides, flash floods, forest fires, and violent storms can damage forest areas,
(7) as can overgrazing by livestock such as goats and sheep, which can strip the bark of trees in the
winter.

Q How does deforestation cause soil erosion?

Ans: Soil is exposed due to deforestation and there are no tree roots left to hold the soil in place.
Therefore the soil is easily washed away by rain. Nutrients in the soil are washed away making the soil
infertile and dry like dust, which cannot support healthy plant growth.
Q How can soil can be preserved in deforested areas?
Ans:
(1) By using hill terracing (top picture): Steps are cut into the slope of a mountainside or hillside, then the
edges or ‘risers’ of terraced fields are lined with stone walls to hold the soil.
(2) Terracing on gentler slopes (picture 2) uses tall grasses and crops, grown on the edges of fields to
reduce erosion.
(3) Strip farming (picture 4 - bottom left) is another method for preventing soil erosion on flat land - a
shorter crop (wheat or vegetables) is grown between long strips of a taller crop (fruit trees) to keep soil
protected from wind and rain.
(4) Afforestation also helps to check soil erosion, this is done by planting trees at the edges of fields

Q What problems are caused by deforestation in mountain areas for (a) communication (b)
farming in valley (c) hydro-electricity?
Ans:
Communication: Deforestation causes landslides which can knock down electricity, telephone, and mobile
towers. Landslides can block or destroy roads and access to mountain areas, making communication
impossible. Landslides are a direct result of deforestation which removes the tree roots that hold the soil
in place. Without the binding of tree roots and vegetation, the soil on a mountain slope absorbs rain or
river water, and becomes a muddy slurry, which collapses into a river of mud that slides down taking
rocks, boulders, and structures with it.
Valley farming: Deforestation means that rainwater running of bare and tree-less mountain slopes
becomes muddy. This muddy water filled with eroded minerals is unfit for drinking (by humans and
animals), and cannot be used for farming in fields. Farms in mountain valleys are adversely affected by
deforestation of mountain forests.

Hydro-electricity: Dams are built to store a large amount of water, and then release it at high pressure to
operate turbines, which create electricity. Water flowing down from deforested areas carries a high level of
eroded soil. When the water flows into the dam, the eroded soil is deposited at the bottom of the lake.
High levels of eroded soil and rocks entering the lake, reduce a dam’s water storage capacity, block
outlets, and damage machinery. It is very costly to remove sediment deposits from a dam.

Q Explain why the dry climate of Balochistan increases the risk of soil erosion?
Ans: The land of Balochistan has an arid climate with very little rainfall, which means plant growth is
scarce. To make matters worse, overgrazing is common and re-growth of vegetation is slow. Having
barely any plant roots to hold down the soil, and no leafy cover or grasses to protect the soil from the
wind, the soil is turned over, again and again, losing moisture, microbes, nutrients and minerals. Due to
this manner of wind erosion, the soil becomes like lifeless dust.

Q Where does eroded soil go?

Ans: Wind blows it into sand dunes or foothills, water takes it into rivers or ditches. It may drain into a dam
or lake and settle there.