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Home / IAS Preparation / Forest Resources

Forest Resources: Structure, Significance, Deforestation

Last Updated on Apr 23, 2025
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Over the course of history, forests have provided enormous resources and life enabling conditions. As hunter gatherers, mankind depended entirely on forest resources for survival. The complex ecological web that humans are part of requires vast areas of land to be forests. They provide us fresh air to respire, food items, medicinal produce etc. The dependence on forests has undergone several changes from early times. While the hunter gatherers depended on the forests for clothing, shelter, food and every other need, the shift to settled agriculture altered the ways in which human beings affect forests.

 

The next marked shift in human interaction with forest resources can be attributed to the industrial revolution and the subsequent development of the market economy. Humans have developed the capability to improve and destroy the bountiful forests, even while not being physically present.

Definition of Forests

Forests are complex land ecosystems that support a wide variety of plants, trees and animals. It provides a lot of resources like fruits, timber, firewood,honey, herbal medicines etc. The forests also provide several raw materials for different manufacturing industries. There are whole communities that depend entirely on forest resources for their survival.

  1. It is generally understood as a wild habitat, where socio-political rules don’t play any part.
  2. Humans are generally not included in this layman definition of forests. But any serious discussion on forests cannot exclude the presence and dependence of indigenous communities on these ecosystems.
  3. In the recent past, the effects of mindless economic development on the quantum of forest resources have been a significant issue.

Read about the different types of habitats here.

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Functions of Forests
  1. Forests were the sole providers of natural resources for early humans and continues to support several indigenous communities today
  2. They manage the balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere
  3. Forests shields the soil from erosion
  4. They act as an ecosystem for the wide variety of flora and fauna
  5. Helps to reduce noise pollution
  6. Shield the surrounding areas from extreme weather conditions
  7. Controls the passage of heavy winds
  8. Forests also restrict the sudden movement of flood water

Learn about the environment and ecosystem here.

Structure of a Forest
  1. Forest structure refers to the different layers of horizontal and vertical distribution of forests depending on their age and location.
  2. Even Aged structure means that the tree cover is at the same height. It generally points to less diversity of tree species. Artificial forests and plantations are good examples of even aged structures.
  3. Two aged stands refer to two layers of vegetation, one usually a well developed one and the other in the state of growth (sapling stage or plant stage). It might be due to a new afforestation drive.
  4. An uneven structure of more than three layers indicates that there are trees of multiple age classes in the forest. It also points to a wide variety of species in the forest.

The different components of the forest structure are listed below-

Emergent Layer

The topmost layer of the forest is called the emergent layer and the trees may be as tall as 60 meters. They protrude over the general canopy. The trees should be able to overcome high temperatures and strong winds. Waxy leaves enable these trees to retain more water for drier temperatures. Bats and wind help pollination at these heights.

Canopy

The canopy layer with its dense foliage and branches acts like a cover on the forest. It can be around 20-35 m high in rainforests. Winds, rain, and sunlight are all blocked by the canopy. As the weather is humid below the tree cover, leaves have pointed tips to keep excess water away. Pollination is done by animals as the seeds are usually inside fruits.

Understory Layer

The understory, which is several metres below the canopy, is a humid habitat. The trees in this layer have larger leaves to absorb the minimum exposure to sunlight. These trees have flowers with a pungent smell to ensure that pollinators are attracted. Many animals make use of the low light in the understory to stay away from predators.

Forest Floor Layer

There are fewer trees and more shrubs and plants in this layer. Plant growth is extremely difficult as sunlight is nearly absent in this layer. Leaves and organic matter from the vegetation is quickly turned into nutrients by the decomposers. Most of the animals live in this layer as both carnivores and herbivores find enough food sources.

 

Learn about Kharif, Rabi and Zaid crops here.

Significance of Forest Resources

Economic Significance

Forests are the largest renewable source of food, fodder and fuel. They provide important goods and services to the market economy. The timber from the woods can be used for a wide variety of uses like constructing homes, tools, boats etc. The forests’ flora and wildlife provide important constituents of medicines, natural insecticides etc. Several manufacturing industries like furniture and paper make use of the forest resources.

Ecological Significance

Forests help to maintain biodiversity while also improving conditions for agriculture. It performs several functions that stabilise the natural environment-

  1. Conservation of biodiversity- Forests provide optimum circumstances for the sustenance of living organisms. It hosts a plethora of flora and fauna and is the most diverse terrestrial ecosystem. There are complex food webs that function sustaining the ecological balance of forests.
  2. Sustains the Natural World- The deep and shallow roots in the soil increase the stability of soil and prevent soil erosion. Forests prevent landslides and other disturbances on the surface of earth. They act as the lungs of the world by absorbing toxic gases. They play a huge role in suppressing and recycling carbon dioxide. It safeguards watersheds and ensures a constant supply of fresh water in the water bodies.
  3. Controls the World’s Climate- Their absorption and generation of rainfall, as well as their exchange of atmospheric gases, regulate local and worldwide weather. They absorb more heat than barren land. They directly affect the levels of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere. Forests are carbon sinks, and hence a key entity in fighting global warming and climate change. Afforestation drives are necessary to ensure that the quantity of forests doesn’t decline.

Social Significance

Forests are not just resources in a materialistic sense. Even while the forest resources have immense economic and ecological value, they also hold a huge socio-cultural value to indigenous communities. Many consider forests their home. It is even embedded in their religious beliefs when they worship their surroundings. Forests also hold an aesthetic value for bird watchers, occasional picnickers and conservationists.

Check the list of national parks and biosphere reserves in India here.

 

Deforestation and Community Management
  1. The permanent removal or destruction of indigenous forests is referred to as deforestation.
  2. The rate at which deforestation is happening affects the entire balance of our environment.
  3. While it is estimated that India requires at least 33% of forest cover, the actual numbers are in the range of 24%.
  4. The different reasons for deforestation are- Population growth and the subsequent stress on forest resources, Wildfires, Irrational utilisation of forest resources, Overgrazing, Hydroelectric Projects etc.
  5. The forests are home to indigenous communities (Scheduled Tribes in India) and they depend on it for their livelihood.
  6. Dam construction, mining, and the growth of mineral-based industries are examples of development activities that have destroyed the lives of many indigenous communities. This development is inevitably going to have an impact on their agricultural and forest land, which is their principal source of income.
  7. They find their livelihood by collecting non timber forest produce like edible flowers, firewood, seeds etc and selling them in the local market.
  8. Community Management seeks to include the participation of local communities in conserving the forests. They will step up to help the conservation efforts if there are some direct incentives like rights to collect produce, financial incentives etc.
  9. Especially in areas susceptible to wildfires, instant response from the local community can curb the damage significantly.
  10. Joint Forest Management also helps in restoring the forest cover and protecting the area from being over exploited.

Read about Project Tiger here.

The Niyamgiri Issue
  1. The agreement between the Odisha Government, Vedanta Alumina (a subsidiary of Sterlite India Ltd.) and the Orissa Mining Corporation to mine bauxite from the Niyamgiri hills was signed in 2004, without any consultation with the indigenous tribal community, the Dongria Kondhs. They depend on shifting agriculture, sale and collection of minor forest produce and rearing of livestock livelihood
  2. The Niyamgiri Hills are of immense importance to their cultural and religious beliefs. They believe that Niyam Raja (a male deity represented by a sword) resides in the hills of Niyamgiri.
  3. On 18th of April, 2013, the Supreme Court of India directed the Ministry of Environment and Forest to give forest clearance to Vedanta bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri (Odisha), only after consultation and voting by the palli sabhas of the respective areas.
  4. The local palli sabhas unanimously voted against the project. For every one Niyamgiri that comes to public attention there are a thousand Niyamgiris that go unnoticed. Hidden from public scrutiny and evaluation, land is encroached, the indigenous people evicted and justice denied.
  5. Forest Resources have to be managed through an inclusive process where all the stakeholders have a say. The government should take the lead in ensuring that no party is facing an unequal bias. The indigenous communities should be taken into confidence for any real change in the exploitative nature of development.

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Forest Resources FAQs

Forests are complex land ecosystems that support a wide variety of plants, trees and animals.

The emergent layer, the canopy, the undergrowth and the forest floor ate the different layers of the forest structure.

Leaves of trees in the understory have larger leaves to absorb the scarce sunlight that passes through the canopy.

It is estimated that at least 33% of India’s landmass should be covered by forests.

Forests conserve biodiversity, control the global climate and sustain natural processes by preventing soil erosion, landslides etc.

The Dongria Kondhs live in the Niyamgiri hills of Odisha.
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