Geography
Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources
Textbook Questions
Q. 1.
Answer the following questions.
Q. (i) Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?
Q. (ii) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.
Q. (iii) Why is land considered an important resource?
Q. (iv) Name any two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals.
Q. (v) Suggest three ways to conserve water.
Ans.
(i) Temperature and rainfall are two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation.
Rainfall contributes in breaking the rocks by applying pressure. Temperature fluctuations between hot and cold also form cracks in the rocks.
Ans. (ii) Reasons for land degradation are:
* Destruction of forest‘cover or Deforestation and * Ever-growing demand of the growing population, * the indiscriminate pesticides and fertilizers at agriculture land, two factor contributed to land degradation.
Ever-growing demand of the growing population, Destruction of forest‘cover
Ans. (iii) Land is an important resource because it provides surface for agriculture, living organism, it also provide habitat to wide variety of flora and fauna and human beings, forestry, industries, construction, etc. Most activities take place on land.
Ans. (iv) Steps taken by the government include establishment of natural parks and wildlife sanctuaries in different parts of India. Their purpose is conservation of vegetation and wildlife, respectively.
Ans. (v) Three ways to conserve water are as under:
Rainwater harvesting: It is a method of collecting water while it rains so that it may come of use in the future.
The canals used for irrigation should be properly built so that loss of water does not take place while the water is transported to the field.
In dry regions, drip or trickle irrigation is suggested.
Q. 2. Tick the correct answer.
(i) Which one of the following is NOT a factor of soil formation?
(a) time
(b) soil texture
(c) organic matter
(ii) Which one of the following methods is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep slopes?
(a) shelter belts
(b) mulching
(c) terrace cultivation
(iii) Which one of the following is NOT in favour of the conservation of nature?
(a) switch off the bulb when not in use
(b) close the tap immediately after using
(c) dispose polypacks after shopping
Ans.
(i) (b) soil texture,
(ii) (c) terrace cultivation,
(iii) (c) dispose polypacks after shopping.
Question 3.
Match the followings:
Answer.
(i) (c), (ii) (d), (iii) (a), (iv) (b).
Question 4.
State whether the given statement is true or false. If true, write the reasons.
* Ganga-Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region.
* Water availability per person in India is declining.
* Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement is called intercropping.
* Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem.
Ans.
True
True
False
False
Q. Which is example of community land?
And. The Sunderban forests
Q. 1. What are the possible reasons behind the uneven distribution of population around the world?
Ans. The varied conditions of land and climate are the main reasons behind the uneven distribution of population around the world.
Land Use :–> The type of the use of the land is known as land use. Land is used for different purposes such as agriculture,
forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries.
Q. 2. Give three common forms of land use.
Ans. Three common land use forms are: (i) As cropland, (ii) Pasture, (iii) Forests.
Q. what are main factors which determine the use of land?
Ans. The use of land is
determined by physical factors such as topography, soil, climate, minerals and availability of water.
Human factors such as population and technology are also important determinants of land use pattern.
Q. 3. What human factors determine land use pattern?
Ans. Population and technology are main human factors determine land use pattern?
Land can also be divided on the basis of 1. private
land and 2. community land.
Private land:–> Individuals owned land is called Private land i.e. house land and farm houses.
Community land :–> The land owned by the community for common uses is called community land, I.e. collection centres of fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs.
* These community lands are also called common property resources.
The quality of land also differs from place to place. People started encroaching
the common lands to build up commercial areas,
housing complexes in the urban areas and to expand
the agricultural land in the rural areas.
Q. What are the ill effects of expansion of agriculture and constructional activities?
Ans. Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, desertification are the major threats to the environment because of the expansion of agriculture and constructional activities.
Q. What created a fear of losing the natural resource like land?
Ans. Growing population and their ever growing demand has
led to a large scale destruction of forest cover and arable land and has created a fear of losing this natural resource. Therefore, the present rate of degradation of land resources must be checked.
Q. What are the common methods to conserve the land?
Ans. Afforestation, land
reclamation, regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilisers and checks on overgrazing are some of the common methods used to conserve land.
Q. What are simply defined as the mass movement
of rocks?
Ans. Landslides are simply defined as the mass movement
of rock, debris or earth down a slope. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and
volcanoes.
A prolonged spell of rainfall can cause heavy landslide that can block the flow of river which can cause havoc to the settlements of downstream on its bursting.
The river blocks In the hilly terrain landslides have widely spread natural disaster that often
strike life and property.
Q. 4. Define soil.
Ans. The thin layer of outer covering of the surface of the earth with grainy substance is called soil. It is closely linked to land.
It takes hundreds
of years to make just one centimetre of soil.
Q. What are the major factors of soil formation?
Ans.The major factors of soil formation are the nature of the
parent rock and climatic factors. Other factors are the topography, role of organic material and time taken for the composition of soil formation.
All these differ from place to place.
Q. What are main components of the soil? What make it fertile?
Ans. Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals and weathered rocks found on the earth. This happens through the process of weathering. The right composition of minerals and organic matter make the soil fertile.
Q. 5. What is required to make soil fertile?
Ans. The mixing of right composition of minerals and organic matter is needed to make soil fertile.
Weathering
:– The breaking up and decay of exposed rocks, by temperature changes, frost action, plants, animals and man
Q. 6.What is parent rock?
Ans. The rock from which soil is derived is called parent rock.
Q. 7. What are the factors threatening soil as a resource?
Ans. Two factors that threaten soil as a resource are soil erosion and its depletion.
Q. 8. What method of soil conservation may be used in coastal and dry reqions?
Ans. Shelter belts are used to protect the soil in coastal and dry regions.
Q. 1. Describe methods of soil conservation.
Ans. Some common methods of soil conservation are mentioned below: 1. Mulching:–> Mulching is the process of covering the bare ground between plants with a layer of organic matter like straw to retain soil moisture.
2. Terrace Farming:–> Terrace farming is the method of farming in which broad flat steps or terraces are made on the steep slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow crops 4 They reduce run-off and soil erosion.
Intercropping:–> When different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from being washed away by rain is known as intercropping.
Contour Ploughing:–> Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a natural barrier to check the water to flow down a slope is called contour ploughing.
Shelter Belts:–> To check the wind movement in certain areas, the rows of trees are planted. these rows of plants are called shelter belts.
Contour Barriers:–> Making a barrier of Contour is known as Contour barrier.
Stones, grass, and soil are used to build barriers along contours. Trenches are made in front of the barriers to collect water.
Rock Dams:–> The dams made by the rocks are call rock dams. This prevents gullies and further soil loss since rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water.
Q. 9. Why is the earth called the “Water Planet”?
Ans. The three-fourths of earth’s surface is covered with water, so it is called “Water Planet”.
Q. 10 In what forms is fresh water found on the earth?
Ans. Fresh water is found in the forms of groundwater, rivers water, lakes and water vapour.
Q. 11 What is the name given to the process involved in rain formation?
Ans. The process involved in the formation of rain is called “water cycle”.
Q. 12 Name some regions of water scarcity in the world.
Ans. Africa, West Asia, South Asia, parts of western USA, northwest Mexico, parts of South America, and Australia are facing water scarcity.
Question 13.
Name a method to save surface run-off.
Answer.
Water harvesting is a method to save surface run-off.
Question 14.
How is a bird like vulture important for the ecosystem?
Answer.
A vulture feeds on dead livestock and so it cleanses the environment.
Question 15.
What is the distinguishing feature between evergreen and deciduous forests?
Answer.
Evergreen forests never shed their leaves whereas deciduous forests shed their leaves once a year.
Question 16.
What is the Vanamahotsava?
Answer.
The social programme of planting trees, organized at the community level is called vanamahotsava.
Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How is land being degraded? Suggest methods to conserve land resource.
Answer.
The ever-growing population has increased demand for living space, due to which forests are being destroyed, thus causing land degradation. The rate of degradation of land resources can be checked by promoting afforestation, land reclamation, regulated use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and checking to overgraze.
Question 2.
What is weathering?
Answer.
Weathering refers to the breaking up and decay of exposed rocks. This breaking up and decay are caused by temperature fluctuations between too high and too low, frost action, plants, animals, and even human activity. Weathering is the major process involved in the formation of soil. It takes millions of years to form soil by this process.
Question 3.
How is water an important resource?
Answer.
Water is an indispensable resource of life. Firstly water serves the most basic purpose of drinking, without which life is impossible. It is helpful in cleaning our bodies, clothes, and utensils. Farmers depend on water for irrigation. Water is also used in cooking food. Water is a source of electricity as well. Plants require water for their growth. Water is required for various industrial purposes in factories.
Question 4.
Write a short note on wildlife.
Answer.
The animal kingdom, which consists
of animals, birds, aquatic creatures and insects, is called wildlife. These creatures provide us various important products such as milk, meat, hides, and wool. Bees give us honey and help in pollination. They play the role of decomposers in the environment. Birds like the vulture are scavengers and they help in cleansing the environment. All forms of wildlife are an integral part of our ecosystem.
Question 5.
What are the major types of vegetation in the world? Describe vegetation in different rainfall conditions.
Answer.
The major types of vegetation in the world are grouped as forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra.” In areas of heavy rain, huge trees can be found. Forests are abundant in areas of heavy rainfall. With moisture and rainfall the density of forests declines. In moderate rainfall areas, grasslands are found. In diy areas, we find thorny shrubs and scrubs. Plants here have deep roots and leaves have thorny surface to reduce loss of moisture. The tundra vegetation consists of mosses and lichens.
Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe methods of soil conservation.
Answer.
Some common methods of soil conservation are mentioned below: Mulching. Mulching is the process of covering the bare ground between plants with a layer of organic matter like straw. It contributes in retaining soil moisture.
Terrace Farming. Terrace farming is the method of farming in which broad flat steps or terraces are made on the steep slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow crops 4 They reduce run-off and soil erosion. Intercropping. In intercropping, different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from being washed away by rain.
Contour Ploughing. Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a natural barrier for water to flow down a slope is called contour ploughing.
Shelter Belts. Rows of trees that are planted in certain areas to check wind movement are called shelter belts. Contour Barriers. Stones, grass, and soil are used to build barriers along contours. Trenches are made in front of the barriers to collect water.
Rock Dams. This prevents gullies and further soil loss since rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water.
Q.2. What is the threat to vegetation and wildlife? What is the need to conserve them? How can we do this? [V. Imp.]
Ans. Forests and wildlife are an important resource. Climate change and human interferences in the animal kingdom can cause loss of natural habitat for plants and animals. Certain species have become endangered and many have become extinct now.
Poaching incidents contribute to their extinction. Plants and animals are an important part of the ecosystem. Plants provide food, oxygen and shelter to humans and animals. Animals provide us important products such as milk, meat, honey, etc. There exists a balance in the environment if we do not disturb the natural number of species living on the earth. A single extinction can affect the ecosystem badly. So animals and plants obviously need to be conserved. The government has introduced national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves for this purpose. Poaching should be severely dealt with. Indiscriminate killings need to be discouraged. Social awareness must be created about the importance of trees, social forestry. Students should be involved in vanamahotsavas at regional and community levels.
Q. 1 What are natural resources?
Ans. : Natural resources can be broadly categorized into 5 divisions, namely, land, soil, water, natural vegetation and wildlife
Q. 2 How does land fulfil our needs?
Ans. : We get our food from plants and trees that grow on land.
We build houses on land that gives us shelter.
We construct roads and railway lines on land that helps us to travel from one place to another.
We get minerals from land that is very essential for our development.
We build factories and other buildings on land.
Q. 3 Name a few landforms.
Ans. : Valleys, Plateaus, Mountains,
Plains, Hills, Glaciers … are landforms.
Q. 4 What are the factors that determine the pattern in which a particular region is used?
Ans. : Landscape, Soil, Climate, Minerals Available In That Region, Availability Of Water, Human Population.
Use Of Modern Technology… are the factors that determine the pattern in which that particular region is utilised
Q. 5 What are the methods that can be adapted to contain landslides?
Ans. : Construction of a retention wall to stop land from slipping and increase in the vegetation cover can be adapted to contain landslides.
Effective surface drainage system is a major way to control landslides during rainy season and spring flows.
Hazard mapping can locate areas prone to landslides. These areas can be avoided for building settlements and hence avoid loss of life and property in the event of a Landslide.
Q. 6 Give a brief description of soil composition or the layers of soil ?
Ans. : Soil can be classified into 4 major layers. They are:-
Horizon O
Horizon A
Horizon B
Horizon C
Horizon O refers to the upper layer of soil, nearest the surface. It is commonly known as topsoil. This layer includes organic litter, such as fallen leaves and twigs. The litter helps prevent erosion, holds moisture, and decays to form a very rich soil known as humus.
Horizon A is the layer below Horizon O. Litter is not present in horizon A and therefore there is much less humus. It consists of subsoil with sand, silt and clay.
Horizon B is below Horizon A. Horizon B consists mostly of weatherized big rocks. This solid rock gives rise to the horizons above it.
Horizon C is found below Horizon B and consists of parent rock.
Q. 7 What are the factors that aid soil formation?
Ans. : Climate, Parent rock, Topography, organic material and time span are the factors that aid soil formation.
Q. 8 Mention some methods that are used to conserve soil?
Ans. : Some of the methods used to conserve soil are:
Mulching, Contour barriers, Rock dam, Terrace farming, Intercropping, Crop rotation, Contour ploughing.
Shelterbelts, Afforestation, Prevention of Overgrazing.
Q. 9 Write a brief note on terrace farming and intercropping.
Ans. : Terrace farming is a process in which hill slopes are used as cultivable crops. The farmer cuts terraces into slopes to create flat areas to grow crops because flat land is scarce in hilly regions.
Intercropping is different crops grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.
Q. 10 What is a ‘water-cycle’?
Ans. : Rivers, lakes and oceans lose water everyday because of evaporation due to the heat of the sun. That water travels into the air as water vapour and becomes part of a cloud. Through condensation, the water vapour in clouds becomes a liquid such as rain, snow or sleet which is called precipitation. The water then comes back to the earth and the process begins all over again.
Q. 11 What are the causes for the destruction of natural vegetation and wildlife?
Ans. : Natural vegetation and wildlife are destroyed by man and by nature.
Man-made causes for destruction are:-
Deforestation, Construction, Activities, Agricultural Expansion, Soil Erosion.
Natural causes for destruction are:-
Climate Change, Forest Fires, Tsunamis, Landslides, Earth Quakes, Floods.
Q. 12 What are bio reserves?
Ans. : Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO. These reserves are rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage and encompass unique ecosystems. The goal is the conservation of landscapes and their immense biological diversity.
There are twelve Biosphere Reserves in India. They aim to protect ecosystems and also serve as laboratories for evolving alternative models of development. Research and development projects are also supported.
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