Question

Which of the following statements regarding forests is not true?

• A. Forests help maintain the oxygen – carbon dioxide balance in the atmosphere.
• B. Forests help in controlling soil erosion.
• C. Forests help in controlling floods.
• D. Forests deplete the groundwater table.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Forests deplete the groundwater table.

The plants and trees in the forests, during photosynthesis, take in carbon dioxide gas released into the air by the animals and give out oxygen. Thus, forests help to maintain oxygen-carbon dioxide balance in the atmosphere.

The roots of the trees in the forests bind the soil together due to which the soil does not get easily displaced by the action of wind or water. Thus, forests help in controlling soil erosion.

In a forest, raindrops do not hit the forest floor directly. The canopy layer of the forest intercepts the flow of raindrops so that rainwater falls on the leaves of trees and then drips slowly onto the forest floor. Thus, water does not collect and stagnate on the forest floor. This prevents flooding.
Without forests, the rain will hit the ground directly and may flood the area around it. In this way, forests act as a natural absorber of rainwater and allow it to seep into the ground. Thus, forests help to prevent floods and depletion of the groundwater table. Due to forests, the groundwater table is maintained throughout the year.