Question 9
Explain why there is a need for a variety of animals and plants in a forest.
Variety of animals and plants living in forests build a rich biodiversity. Different animals and plants play a different role in the system of a forest. For example, herbivores are needed to eat green plants and to provide food for the carnivores. Similarly, carnivores are needed to eat the herbivores and check their population. This biodiversity makes forests more productive, stable and resilient. If there is no grass, all herbivores would die. If there are no carnivores, all herbivores would eat up all the plants and there is a shortage of food. If there are no decomposers, the dead remains of plants and animals would pollute the environment. Due to such biodiversity, a balance in nature is maintained.