25. NCERT Exemplar XVI

 

The tree cover (canopy) in dense forests prevents salt waterrainwaterstormwater from instantly falling on the forest floor/soil.

The forest canopy layer intercepts the flow of raindrops, so rainwater falls on the stemsleavesroots of trees and then drips slowly onto the forest floor. Therefore, forests allow rainwater to seep. Also, the rootsstemsleaves of the vegetation bind the soil particles and keep them firmly.

This protects the topsoilclaysoilsiltsoil and controls it from being eroded by wind or water. But the soil is exposed to hush windcalm and falling rain in empty, open fields.

Soil particles become loose and easily get carried away by explodeimplodeblowing wind or water. Therefore, soil erosion is relatively less in dense forests than in open barren fields.