VACATION TRAINING PROGRAMME ON
BIORESOURCES
FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
8th to 29th April, 2014
A Student Project on
Forests as Natural Air - Conditioner
Team Members (Group V)
Jay Chandani
Priyank Dabhi
Stuti Majmudar
Shreya Upadhyay
Tanvi Joshi
Gujarat Council of Science City
Department of Science & Technology, Govt of Gujarat
Science City Road, Ahmedabad 380 060
www.scity.gujarat.gov.in
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Dr. Narottam Sahoo
Senior Scientist
28th April, 2014
GCSC/SP/VTP/2014
TO WHOMSOVER IT MAY CONCERN
It is my pleasure to certify that the students, namely, Jay Chandani, Priyank Dabhi,
Stuti Majmudar, Shreya Upadhyay and Tanvi Joshi carried out a project titled,
‘Forests as Natural Air – conditioner’ during the Vacation Training Programme on
Bioresources for School Children held at Gujarat Science City during 8th to 29th
April, 2014.
It was a nice experience to guide the students in their projects and to inculcate the
spirit of scientific temper and practice the method of science. The student members
worked sincerely and nicely compiled their research findings and conclusions.
I convey my good wishes in their future career.
(Narottam Sahoo)
Course Director
Vacation Training Programme on
Bioresources for School Children
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28th April, 2014
CERTIFICATE
This to certify that, we the team members of Group V and the participants of the
Vacation Training Programme on Bioresources for school children, worked on the
project titled, “Forests as Natural Air - conditioner” held at Gujarat Science City,
Ahmedabad from 8th to 29th April 2014. We worked sincerely under the guidance of
faculties and prepared this dissertation.
This is an original work carried out by our team members and we thankfully
acknowledged the references that we have taken for our study.
( Jay Chandani
)
( Priyank Dabhi
)
( Stuti Majmudar )
( Shreya Upadhyay )
(
Tanvi Joshi
)
Signature of the Guide Teacher
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all we are thankful to Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat and
Gujarat Council of Science City to arrange this programme.
We do respect our parents a lot that they have made us capable and allowed us join this training
programme.
We have special gratitude towards Shri R K Mehta, Dr. Narottam Sahoo sir, Ms Harshida Patel Mam,
Pulkesh Prajapati Sir, Khyati Mam to help us out in our project activities. We are thankful to all VTP
students for co-operating with us.
At last, we conclude that we are thankful to all the working staff in science city and all the people who
are related to us directly or indirectly.
- Jay Chandani
- Priyank Dabhi
- Stuti Majmudar
- Shreya Upadhyay
- Tanvi Joshi
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
INTRODUCTION

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

TRANSPIRATION

CONSERVATION

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES
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Air Conditioner is one of the domestic appliances, which becomes part of our routine daily
life. Basically, Air conditioners perform mainly three tasks:
(i)
Temperature Controlling
(ii)
Humidity Controlling
(iii)
Purify the air
Forests are formed by a community of plants, which is predominantly structurally defined by
its trees, shrubs, climbers and ground cover. Forests fulfill our so many needs, out of which
mainly preserve our environment green and clean by temperature control of the air, humidity
control of the air and purify the air. And we know that these functions are performed by Air
conditioners in our home, office, business place, work place or in vehicle. So, we can clearly
say that with so much functionality, forest work as an Air conditioner.
To cool down a room, normally we use air conditioners of 1 Ton, 1.5 Ton or 2 Ton of
capacity, which consumes about 400-500 units electricity, which is about Rs.2500 per month
and hence 30,000 per year. These expenses are per annum for one room to air condition.
So we can imagine the expense of centrally air conditioner plant to cool down the whole
building, which goes in several lacks per annum. And similarly, to cool down the air of whole
society or residency, expanse goes in several crore rupees and to condition the air of whole
city e.g. If we want to cool down whole Ahmedabad city we want Rs. 3,50,00,00,00,000[Rs.
three
hundred
fifty
billion].
To
cool
down
whole
Gujarat
state
we
want
Rs.15,00,00,00,00,00,000 [Rs.150 trillion]. To cool down whole India country we want
Rs.2,50,00,00,00,00,00,000 [Rs. 2.5 thousand trillion].Hence there are number of states,
countries and the world. Thus, we can imagine the entire cost of electric energy consumption
of the world per year.
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But, we should keep in mind that these all expenses are done by nature for us and for these
functionalities are performed by nature very carefully and perfectly as we need. So, we are
thankful to god, who made such creatures known as FORESTS.
Forests perform so many tasks, but we confine our discussion up to forests that work as a
NATURAL AIR CONDITIONER – Amazed…!!!!
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There are three main aims and objectives of Air conditioners. Forests also
work for these aims.
 T e m p e r a t ur e Co n t r ol :
Forests control temperature. In winter, forests make us experience of summer
and in summer forests make us experience of wint er. They act in summer like
a natural air conditioner. They give us shade. They protect our earth from
global warming. Global warming is a process of increasing the temperature. It
is due to CO2 concentration in the air. Forests reduce the global warming.
Forests protect the ozone layer, which absorbs UV rays. Hence, forests
control the temperature.
 H u m i di t y C o n t r o l :
Forests also control the humidity. In winter, forests give us warm atmosphere
by absorbing the atmospheric moisture in their leaves. In summer, they give
us cool atmosphere by releasing the atmospheric moisture. They control
humidity by the process of ‘transpiration’.
 Ai r P ur i f yi n g :
During
daytime,
forests
intake
CO2
and
release
O2
by
the
process
of
‘photosynthesis’. In this way, they purif y the air. They also work as natural
air conditioner because forests absorb CO2, which absorb the heat.
W e know that Air conditioner also performs these three works.
Thus, the forests work as a natural air conditioner.
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Let we learn it how they work as a natural air conditioner……
Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert
light energy, normally from the sun, into chemical energy that can be later
released to fuel the organisms’ activities. This chemical energy is stored in
carbohydrate molecules, such as sugar, which are synthesized from carbon
dioxide and water - hence the name ‘photosynthesis’, from the Greek word
‘phos’ which means light and ‘syn thesis’ which means putting together.
In most cases, oxygen is also released as a waste product. Most plants,
most algae, and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis, and such organisms
are called photoautotrophs. Photosynthesis maintains atmospheric oxygen
levels and supplies all of the organic compounds and most of the energy
necessary for life on Earth.
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Although photosynthesis is performed differently by different species, the
process always begins when energy from light is absorbed by proteins called
reaction centres that contain green chlorophyll pigments. In plants, these
proteins are held inside organelles called
Chloroplasts, which are most abundant in leaf cells, while in bacteria they are
embedded in the plasma membrane. In these light dependent re actions, some
energy is used to strip electrons from suitable substances such as water,
producing oxygen gas. Furthermore, two further compounds are generated:
reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), th e “energy currency” of cells.
Photosynthesis occurs in two stages. In the first stage, light -dependent
reactions or light reactions capture the energy of light and use it to make the
energy-storage molecules ATP and NADPH. During the second stage, the
light-independent reactions use these products to capture and reduce CO2.
Most organisms that utilize photosynthesis to produce oxygen use visible light
to do so, although at least three use shortwave infrared or, more specifically,
far-red radiation. In plants, algae and cyanobacteria, sugars are produced by
subsequent sequence of light -independent reactions called the Calvin cycle,
but some bacteria use different mechanisms, such as the reverse Krebs cycle.
In the Calvin cycle, atmospheric carbon dioxide is incorporated into already
existing organic carbon compounds are then reduced and removed to form
further carbohydrates such as glucose.
Today the average rate of energy captured by photosynthesis globally is
approximately 130 terawatts, which is about si x times larger than the current
power consumption of human civilization. Photosynthetic organisms also
convert around 100-115 thousand million metric tons of carbon into biomass
per year.
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
Definition of Transpiration:
“Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and
its evaporation from aerial part s, such as from leaves, but also
from stems and flowers.”
Leaf surfaces are dotted with pores which are called stomata, and in most
plants they are more numerous on the undersides of the foliage. The stomata
are bordered by guard cells and their stomatal accessory cells (together
known as stomatal complex) that open and close the pore. Transpiration
occurs through the stomatal apertures, and can be thought of as a necessary
"cost" associated with the opening of the stomata to allow the diffusion of
carbon dioxide gas from the air for photosynthesis. Transpiration also cools
plants, changes osmotic pressure of cells, and enables mass flow of mineral
nutrients and water from roots to shoots.
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Overview of transpiration:
1-Water is passively transported into the roots and then into the xylem.
2-The forces of cohesion and adhesion cause the water molecules to form a column in the xylem.
3- Water moves from the xylem into the mesophyll cells, evaporates from their surfaces and leaves the plant by
diffusion through the stomata.

Regulation:
Plants regulate the rate of transpiration by the degree of stomatal ope ning.
The rate of transpiration is also influenced by the evaporative demand of the
atmosphere surrounding the leaf such as humidity, temperature, and wind and
incident sunlight. Soil water supply and soil temperature can influence
stomatal opening, and thus transpiration rate. The amount of water lost by a
plant also depends on its size and the amount of water absorbed at the roots.
Transpiration accounts for most of the water loss by a pl ant, but some direct
evaporation also takes place through the cuticle [ citation needed] of the
leaves and young stems. Transpiration serves to evaporative cool plants as
the escaping water vapor carries away heat energy.
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
Factors that affect the rates of transpiration.

Feature:

How this affects transpiration:
Number of leaves
More leaves (or spines, or other photosynthesizing organ) means a bigger
surface area and more stomata for gaseous exchange. This will result in
greater water loss.

Factors that affect the rates of transpiration.

Feature:

How this affects transpiration:
Size of the leaf
A leaf with a bigger surface area will transpire
faster than a leaf with a smaller surface area.
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
Factors that affect the rates of transpiration.

Feature:

How this affects transpiration:
Number of stomata
More stomata will provide more pores for transpiration.
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
Factors that affect the rates of transpiration.

Feature:

How this affects transpiration:
Presence of plant cuticle
A waxy cuticle is relatively impermeable to water
and water vapor and reduces evaporation from the plant
surface except via the stomata. A reflective cuticle will
reduce solar heating and temperature rise of the
leaf,[citation needed] helping to reduce the rate of
evaporation. Tiny hair-like structures called trachoma on the
surface of leaves also can inhibit water loss by creating a
high humidity environment at the surface of leaves.[citation
needed] These are some examples of the adaptations of
plants for conservation of water that may be found on
many xerophytes
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
factors that affect the rates of transpiration.

Feature:

How this affects transpiration:
Light supply
The rate of transpiration is controlled by stomatal aperture,
and these small pores open especially for photosynthesis.
W hile there are exceptions to this (such as night or " CAM
photosynthesis"), in general a light supp ly will encourage
open stomata.

Factors that affect the rates of transpiration.

Feature:

How this affects transpiration:
Temperature
Temperature affects the rate in two ways:
1) An increased rate of evaporation due to a temperature rise will
hasten the loss of water.
2) Decreased relative humidity outside the leaf will increase the
water potential gradient
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
Factors that affect the rates of transpiration.
Feature:
Relative humidity
How this affects transpiration:
Drier surroundings give a steeper water potential
gradient and so increase the rate of transpiration.
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
Factors that affect the rates of transpiration.
Feature:
Wind
How this affects transpiration:
In still air, water lost due to transpiration can accumulate in
the form of vapor close to the leaf surface. This will reduce the rate of water
loss, as the water potential gradient from inside to outside of the leaf is then
slightly less. W ind blows away much of this water vapor near the leaf surface,
mak ing the potential gradient steeper and speeding up the diffusion of water
molecules into the surrounding air. Even in wind, though, there is some
accumulation of water vapor in a thin boundary layer of slower moving air
next to the leaf surface. The stronger the wind, the thinner this layer, and the
steeper the water potential gradient is. Also, the bigger the leaf, the greater
the average thickness of the boundary layer, which means a bigger leaf will
have a slightly slower transpiration rate per unit area (although a higher
transpiration rate overall).
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W ith the alarming increase in the world’s population, there is need for more
food to sustain human existence. Forests are among the top natural resources
given to humankind. They provide us with both tangible and intangible
resources without which the existence of many living things would be
threatened.
To fulfill the rising demands for housing, cultivation among other human
needs, forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate. To prevent ecological
imbalance, plans need to be formulated to protect the forests and ensure a
balance is maintained. By cutting down trees, animals are forced to venture
into regions of human habitat endangering not only their human lives but the
human’s safety. A long lasting solut ion needs to be therefore formulated for a
permanent and sustainable solution.
Forests covered 60% of the earth but with the rising population, extensive
areas of forests have been cleared to allow farming, roads, mining, and other
activities to support and enhance human existence. In the present day only
about 30% of forests, cover the earth.
Restrictions need to be put in place to conserve forests. W ith the alarming
rate of deforestation, measures need to be put in place to protect wildlife, the
environment, and all the living things that depend
On forests for their survival. People need to be educated on the importance
of conserving forests, as it will empower them to act appropriately such as
planting more trees instead of cutting them.
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Strict measures need to be made to punish those who violate the set rules.
Such measures should be taken to regulate grazing, cutting down trees, tribal
activities, forest fires etc. Forests are vital for human existence and if
nothing is done to conserve them al l living things are in danger of extinction.
Sometimes, we are overwhelmed by the extent of damage humans have
caused, and we are not sure if an individual can make any impact.
Yes you can, there are millions of people just like you, who are learning
about the issue and taking little steps to help. Additionally, many
governments, organizations and societies are making great strides in helping
reducing deforestation, and encouraging forests plantations. But there is still
a lot to do.
Here are a few things you can also do to help.

Make a conscious effort to share information with others (friends at
school and family members) on deforestation and its’ effects. Some of your
friends may laugh at you and say it is silly to think that you can solve
problems like this. But that it is OK, things work better when responsible
people don’t give up. Stand up for what you believe in.

Join organizations, forest -preservation societies and pressure groups that
aim to help preserve the rest of our natural resources. Whe n more people
work together, the impact is greater.
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
Reduce the use of artificial items, recycle more and re -use items.
W ood, paper, plastics and many other things we use every day at home
can be linked to natural resources being destroyed. This means that if we all
recycle more, there will be less dependence on the environment (and trees).
It also means that companies and governments will import less raw -material
from the forest regions of the world.
There is a fun way to remember the most important points in forest
preservation called TREES which means……..

TEACH others about the importance of the environment and how they can
help save rainforests.

RESTORE damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have
been cut down.

ENCOURGE people to live in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment.

ESTABLISH parks to protect rainforests and wildlife.

SUPPORT companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the
environment.
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Thus, it is conclude from the following that the forest are helpful for planet
and its living organisms in many ways out of which, one of it is air conditioner. It is also concluded that trees of forests:

Help to settle out, trap and hold particle pollutants (dust, ash, pollen
and smoke) that can damage lungs.

Absorb CO2 and other dangerous gases and, in turn, replenish the
atmosphere with oxygen.

Produce enough oxygen on each acre for 18 people every day.

Absorb enough CO2 on each acre, over a year’s time, to equal the
amount you produce when you drive your car 26 ,000 miles. Trees remove
gaseous pollutants by absorbing them through the pours in the leaf surface.
Particulates are trapped and filtered by leaves, stems and twigs, and washed
to the ground by the rainfall.
Air pollutants injure trees by damaging their foliage and impairing the process
of photosynthesis. They also weaken trees making them more susceptible to
other health problems such as insects and diseases.
The loss of trees in our urban areas not only intensifies the urban “heat island” effect from loss of shade and evaporation, but we lose a principle
absorber of carbon dioxide and trapper of other air pollutants as well.
Fewer trees in cities help create urban “heat -island” effects – that’s when
buildings and footpaths absorb the sun’s heat and th en radiate it back out.
Increases of up to 3 degrees are common, and in extreme cases, night -time
increases of up to 12 degrees have been recorded.
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Apart from providing shade, trees cool cities through the process of
transpiration, in which water is absorbed through the roots and pushed into
the air via tiny pores in the leaves. Think of them as leafy, misty fans for our
cities. It’s no secret they also make urban environments more pleasant,
improve water quality and encourage to get outside for exercise.
At last it is said by Prince Charles that -
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(i)
“Textbook Of Environmental Studies”
Writer : Erach Bharucha
(ii)
“Terrestrial Water fluxes dominated by Transpiration”
Writer : John Gibson, Jean Briks & Zachary Sharp
(iii) “Principles of field crop production”
Writer : Martin & Leonard
(iv) Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopaedia
www.wikipedia.com
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