HIRANANDANI FOUNDATION SCHOOL, THANE

GEOGRAPHY
SOIL RESOURCES
STD X
I. Name the following:

1. (a) Rice/ Wheat/ Cotton/Sugarcane

(b) Cotton/ Sgarcane/ Jowar/ Wheat
(c) Wheat/ Rice/ Millets/ Cotton/ Sugarcane
(d) Cashew nuts/ Tapioca

2. (a) Alluvial Soil

(b) Black Soil
(c) Red Soil

3. (a) Laterite soil

(b) Alluvial soil
(c) Laterite soil

4. In India, sheet erosion and gully erosion are two major types of soil erosion caused by
running water and in arid / semi-arid areas wind erosion is very common.

5. In desert regions, where there is little or no vegetation, so the velocity of wind is high,
winds are the most powerful agent of erosion. There is lack of moisture content in
soils, the soils are dry, loose so it is easy for winds to pick up soil particles along with
them.

II. Distinguish between:

Regur Soils Laterite Soils

Regur soil is of volcanic origin – Lava soil
formed due to disintegration of basaltic
lava rocks.
Fine grained.
It is very clayey and therefore highly
retentive of water.
Laterite soil is formed by leaching due to
heavy tropical rains in areas of alternating
dry and wet periods.
Coarse in texture.
It does not have the ability to retain
moisture.

Transported Soils In-situ Soils

The soils are transported by various agents The soils are formed in their original
of erosion and consist of sediments carried position by the breaking up of parent rocks.
and deposited mainly by rivers and winds.
More fertile because of various minerals Less fertile in compare to transported soils.
collected from various types of rocks.

Inland alluvium Coastal alluvium

It is mainly formed in the flood-plains, due
to the deposition of sediments brought
down by the rivers.
It is light in colour.
A wide variety of crops grow.
It is of tidal origin, found in the coastal
strips of Peninsular India.
It is dark coloured.
Less number of crops grow.

Khadar alluvial soils Bhangar alluvial soils

Found in the lower levels in the plains near
the rivers, in the floodplains.
Loamy, porous soil.
More fertile than bhangar as new layers are
deposited year after year during monsoonal
floods.
Found higher up in the plains at river
terraces, away from rivers.
Clayey and non – porous.
Less fertile than khaddar.

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 Soils of the Northern Plains
Alluvial soil is the transported soil, formed
by the deposition of sediments by rivers.
Yellow in colour.
Loamy, light and porous.
Soils of Deccan Plateau
Black soil is the residual soils, formed by
disintegration of basaltic lava rocks.
Colour varies from black to chestnut
brown.
Clayey and non porous.

Wind erosion Water erosion

Found in areas where rainfall is very less,
soil is loose, dry.
Wind blows away fine particles of sand and
depositing them in other areas, rendering
both areas unproductive.
Found in areas of heavy rainfall.
Running water causes sheet erosion over
vast stretches of land where land is more or
less levelled or water runs down in distinct
paths forming ravines where land is
relatively steeper to form gullies.

III. Give reasons for the following:

1. Different region in India have different kinds of soil because of varying (i) relief
features in various physiographic regions and (ii) climatic conditions present in
different parts of India under which pedogenesis occurs.

2. Laterite soil is not suitable for cultivation because of (i) high acidity, (ii) low
moisture retention capacity and (iii) the soil is not fertile because the soluble plant
food like potash, nitrogen, magnesium, lime are removed from the top soil leaving
alumina and iron oxide.

3. Red soil is red in colour because it contains large amount of iron oxides.

4. Khadar soils are preferred to Bhangar soils because Khadar is newer alluvium, it is
loamy, suitable for cultivation and it is replenished by monsoonal floods every year,
so its fertility is naturally maintained.

5. Alluvial soils are also called “Riverine Soils” because they are mainly found in the
river basins and are formed by the deposition of sediments (silt) brought down by
rivers.

6. Deltaic alluvium is more fertile than the coastal alluvium because deltaic alluvium is
finer in texture, more moist and rich in humus and on the other hand, coastal alluvium
is of tidal origin, has coarse texture.

7. Leached soils are red in colour because of leaching the proportion of lime and silica is
reduced while the proportion of iron oxide and aluminium compounds are higher in
the top layer of the soil.

8. Soils of Western Ghats are affected by wind erosion because of large scale
deforestation mainly due to mining and agriculture and high velocity of the South-
West Monsoon winds.

9. Black soil is largely found in the Deccan Trap region because the Deccan Trap region
experienced fissure eruption in geological past, due to which thick layers of basaltic
lava rocks formed and black soil is formed because of weathering (disintegration) of
basaltic lava rocks in situ.

10. Soil erosion by wind is common in arid regions because soil is bare, devoid of
vegetation and is exposed to high velocity wind. Moisture content of the soil is very
less so it is easy for the wind to carry dry, loose soil.

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11. Black soil is suitable for the growth of cotton because black soil is very clayey so it
has a great capacity to retain moisture. The soil supplies moisture to cotton plants
naturally. Moreover, in dry season, black soil shrinks and big cracks develop which
help in air circulation.

12. The need for conservation of soil as a natural resource because soil supports all
forests, grasslands and crops from which all living creatures on the Earth derive their
food. Moreover, soil forming process is very slow but it destroys (erodes) easily,
hence soil must be conserved if it is to continue to support life.

IV. Short Answer Questions:

1. Four types of soil in India are Alluvial soil; Black soil; Red soil and Laterite soil. The
most important soil for agriculture is the Alluvial soil.

2. Alluvial soils are formed by the deposit of sediments brought down by rivers.
Two advantages of alluvial soil are:
Alluvial soil is fertile as it is rich in minerals, especially potash and lime.
Since the soil is made up of fine particles, it can hold a lot of water.
It is light and porous, therefore easily tillable.

3. Iron, lime, calcium, alumina, magnesium, potash are the minerals found in regur soil.
The most important crop grown on regur soil is Cotton.

4. The soil suitable for growing cotton and sugarcane in Maharashtra is Black Soil.
Characteristics of Black Soil are:-
Black colour because of the presence of fine iron content.
It is fine textured and clayey in nature.
Due to the high clay content, black soil develops cracks during the dry season and
becomes sticky when wet but its iron-rich granular structure makes it resistant to wind
and water erosion.
The black soil contains lime, iron, magnesium, calcium, alumina, potash.
Poor in humus, nitrogen, phosphorous.
It can retain moisture for a long duration, therefore, artificial irrigation is not
necessary.

5. Laterite soil is suitable for growing coffee in Karnataka.

6. Black soil is of volcanic origin. Cotton is grown widely on black soil.

7. Laterite soils are formed as a result of leaching which is atmospheric weathering of

rocks under conditions of heavy seasonal rainfall and high temperature with alternate
wet and dry periods.
One disadvantage of the soil (refer to the answer III – 2)

8. Characteristics of laterite soil:

The top soil loses bases like calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium due to
leaching. Silica is also removed. Top soil layer becomes rich in iron and aluminium
oxides.
This soil is deficient in nitrogen, lime and phosphate.
It is acidic in nature.
The soil cannot retain moisture.
The soil is reddish in colour due to the presence of iron oxides.
The soil has coarse texture and is porous, friable.

9. Two methods of controlling the erosion by running water are:

Afforestation / Terrace farming / Contour ploughing / Strip cropping.

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10. Two important agents of erosion are running water and wind.
Methods of controlling the erosion caused by running water is afforestation / terrace
farming / contour ploughing / strip cropping.
Methods of controlling the erosion caused by wind is afforestation / shelter belts.

V. Structured Questions:

1. (a) Khadar soil and Bhangar soil.

(b) The entire Northern Plains are made up of alluvial soils.
(c) Khadar is superior to Bhangar.
Refer to the ans. III – 4.
(d) Characteristics of alluvial soil are:-
It is transported or ex-situ soil and are usually yellow in colour.
The soil is rich in plant nutrients such as potash, lime and supports maximum
agricultural production.
The soil is poor in nitrogen and humus, except the alluvium of the Ganga delta
which is rich in humus.
The texture varies from sandy and coarse to clayey and fine.
It is light and porous, therefore easily tillable.

2. (a) Maharashtra and Gujarat.

(b) Cotton, sugarcane, tobacco.
Black soil is clayey in nature. It has a great capacity to retain moisture. During dry
conditions, it develops deep cracks which help in aeration (air circulation)
(c) Rich in iron, lime, calcium, alumina, magnesium, potash.
Very clayey, so moisture- retentive and very sticky when wet.
When dry, hardens and forms deep cracks.
(d) Black soils are formed by the denudation of basaltic lava rocks (volcanic rocks).

3. (a) Tamil Nadu / Karnataka / Andhra Pradesh / Chhattisgarh / Jharkhand / Meghalaya

/ Mizoram / Manipur / Telangana / Nagaland.
(b) Ragi, rice, tobacco, groundnut, maize, soyabean.
(c) Advantages of red soil are:
Red soil is ideal for dry farming as it is formed in poor rainfall areas.
The productivity of this soil increases with regular use of fertilizers and irrigation.
The soil is thicker and more fertile in valleys and plains.
Potash and alumina content is satisfactory and contains soluble salts in small
quantities.
(d) Red soil is formed by prolonged weathering of ancient crystalline and
metamorphic rocks mainly in Peninsular Plateau region.
The soil is not fertile but the productivity of this soil increases with regular use of
fertilizers and irrigation. Red soil is ideal for dry farming as it is formed in poor
rainfall areas. Red soil has better drainage facility as it is porous.
4. (a) Refer to the ans. III – 2.
(b) Andhra Pradesh / Telangana / Karnataka / Tamil Nadu / Kerala / Meghalaya /
Nagaland / Tripura.
(c) Cashew, Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Rubber, Areca nuts, Tapioca.
(d) Laterite soils are formed as a result of leaching which is atmospheric weathering
of rocks under conditions of heavy seasonal rainfall and high temperature with
alternate wet and dry periods.
Laterite soil lacks in fertility, it does not retain moisture but responds readily to
manuring and irrigation. The soil is suitable for plantation agriculture and supports
grazing grounds and scrub forests.
5. (a) Jowar is grown in Maharashtra because of the Black soil, its moisture-
retentiveness makes them suitable for dry farming.
(b) Bajra is grown in Rajasthan because of the presence of Desert soil. Bajra is
drought-resistant crop. Weather conditions are favourable, cultivation can be
done with irrigation.

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 (c) Sugarcane is grown in Uttar Pradesh because sugarcane is soil-exhaustive crop
and grows well in Alluvial soil, which is rich in various chemical ingredients,
especially potash and lime.
(d) Jute is cultivated in West Bengal because of khadar type of alluvial soil which is
renewed naturally after monsoonal floods, new layers of alluvium is ideal for jute
cultivation which is soil-exhaustive crop.
6. (a) The removal of top soil cover by running water, wind and human activities is
called soil erosion.
(b) Hilly areas especially in North-East India, Western Ghats and Shiwaliks because
of deforestation, overgrazing, improper methods of farming and construction in
hilly areas.
Semi-arid areas in Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat because of cattle rearing and
overgrazing.
(c) Due to soil erosion there is huge loss of fertile top soil layer, production of crops
decreases. Soil erosion increases siltation in the reservoir, decreases water holding
capacity. Due to soil erosion, rivers are chocking, causes frequent floods. Soil
erosion also increases desertification.
(d) Afforestation, planting of shelter belts, plugging of gullies, restricted grazing of
animals, proper forming techniques particularly on hill slopes like terracing,
contour ploughing, strip cropping.
7. (a) Rural development, people’s participation and awareness of ecological
programmes associated with agro-forestry. Moreover farmers maintain a high
level of nutrients and organic mater in cultivated soils, grow leguminous plants,
add fertilizers and rotate crops so that leaching is prevented. Farmers conserve
grazing lands by limiting the time that their herds graze in one area. On hilly
slopes, farmers practice terrace farming, contour ploughing.
(b) We need to prevent soil erosion because the major economic activity of India is
agriculture. Without fertile top soil layer agriculture is impossible. It takes
thousands of years to form proper soil layer.
(c) Rural development means increasing consciousness regarding the importance of
fertile soil layer, which can be done in following ways-
• To stop deforestation,
• Deforestation and reforestation should be carried out in quick succession.
• Wise use of soil by maintaining a high level of nutrients and organic matter,
to grow leguminous plants, rotate crops.
• To encourage strip cropping and cover crops.
• Farmers must conserve grazing lands by limiting the time that their herds
graze in one area.
(d) Water harvesting is the process to accumulate and store rainwater for reuse or
recharge it into the ground to improve groundwater storage in the aquifer.
Water harvesting reduces surface runoff and helps to seep more water into the
ground, thus reduces soil erosion and helps to conserve soil.
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 HIRANANDANI FOUNDATION SCHOOL, THANE
GEOGRAPHY
NATURAL VEGETATION OF INDIA
STD X
I. Short Answer Questions:

1. Natural vegetation refers to the plant cover that has not been disturbed over a long
time, so as to allow its individual species to adjust themselves fully to the climate and
soil conditions. Thus, grasses, shrubs and trees, which grow on their own without any
interference, constitute the natural vegetation of an area.

2. Tropical rain forests are found mainly in the western slopes of the Western Ghats, hills
of north-eastern region ,the island groups of Lakshadweep, the Andaman and
Nicobar and Tamil Nadu coast.

3. Characteristics of Tropical Rain Forests are:-

* Tropical evergreen forests are dense, multi-layered and have many types of trees and
shrubs.
* Trees reach great heights of more 60 m and above.
* The carpet layer of herbs and grasses cannot grow because of the dense canopy of
trees which do not allow enough sun light to reach the ground.
* The trees in these forests do not have a fixed time to shed their leaves, to flower or
for fruition, so these forests appear green all the year round.
* These forests have a large variety of species which are found in mixed stands.

4. Tropical Evergreen Forests are difficult to exploit for commercial purposes because
the forests are very dense so it is difficult to develop transport systems to carry heavy
timbers and also trees in this forests occur in mixed stands for which it is difficult to
exploit particular species of trees, not suitable for commercial exploitation.

5. Moist Deciduous Forests and Dry Deciduous Forests.

6. Above 3000 metres elevation, there is transition to Alpine forests and pastures.
Fairly dense forests of silver firs, pines, birches are found between 3000 m. to 4000 m.
but they get progressively stunted and gnarled as they approach the snowline.
The trees provide valuable timber, provides resins, gums, fruits, herbs, etc.

7. Tidal forests are special type of forests that consists of salt tolerant ecosystem, found
in and around tropical tidal creeks and river deltas, where saline water during high tide
inundates the land.
Sundari, Keora, Amur, Agar, Hogla, Garan, etc.

8. Tropical evergreen forests / Tropical rain forests.

These forests are so named because the forests grow in areas receiving annual rainfall
more than 250 cm. and mean annual temperature ranges between 25oC. and 27o C.
Being having the most favourable conditions for the growth of vegetation,
trees in this forests do not have a fixed time to shed their leaves, to flower or for
fruition, so these forests appear green all the year round.

9. Characteristics of tidal forests:-

Mainly evergreen species of varying density and height, usually associated with
wetness.
Trees have pneumatophores or breathing roots to absorb oxygen as the soil is poor in
oxygen.
The silt roots improve the stability of the tree by providing a wide base and support in
the soft and unstable mud. They also help in aeration.

10. The littoral forests have typical mangroves, called Sundari trees after the name of
which these forests are known as Sunderbans in the Ganga Delta.

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11. The forests are grown around the cities having Iron and Steel Industries because air
pollution level due to the emissions is very high. Moreover steel plants emit dust
particles. So to prevent pollution, trees are planted which act as a barrier for the dust
and purify the air.

12. Forests play a very important role in the climate as well as economic development.
Forests are renewable resources and help in maintaining ecological balance, reduce
pollution, maintain humidity, purify air and are a source of timber, fruits, flower and
fuel. The forests prevent soil erosion and provide us with humus, which increases
fertility to grow more crops.

13. Afforestation or Mass Tree Plantation – Depletion of forest caused by man over
centuries may not bring back the original proportion of forests. However by planting
thousands of trees every year we may reduce the gravity of situation existing.
Celebration of Vanomahotsava – Vanomahotsava is held in order to motivate people
for tree planting and increase awareness regarding the importance of forests in our
life.
Steps initiated by Government – For the protection, conservation and development of
forest, Government has laid down several forest policies, acts, laws and regulations to
guide people about the management of forests.
Social forestry and agro-forestry – reduces the pressure on the forests. Trees are
planted in the common village lands, on the sides of fields for the purpose of fodder,
timber and fuel wood so people should not harm forests.
Joint Forest Management (JFM) – the prime objective of JFM is to assign specific
roles to the people in rural areas for the protection of forest near by their village and
in return they have benefit of collecting dry/ fallen leaves, fruits, etc. from
government forests free of cost.
Ban of shifting cultivation and checking of overgrazing would also be useful
measures to conserve forests.

14. Food – Forests were the source of food for primitive people and tribes. Forests
provide fruits, nuts, berries roots, leaves and fodder.
Clothing – Rayon is artificial type of thread which comes from wood. Fur bearing
animals in the cold land forests provide valuable fur garments.
Shelter – Forests provide number of materials for building construction.
Fuel – Wood from forest remain prime source for fuel.
Raw materials for industries – Several industries are dependent on forests for their
raw material. Pulp and paper, furniture, sports goods, match boxes, packaging, toy
making, pencil, rayon, railway sleeper, handicrafts, etc.
Sources of employment - many people get job opportunities for various activities
related to forests.
Various other products are obtained from forests like lac, gum, medicinal herbs,
honey, resins, khus, etc.
Prevent soil erosion – The roots of trees and plants bind soil firmly and hence prevent
soil erosion. The speed of water is reduced by forests and ground water supply is
always available. The thick layer of humus in the forests prevents evaporation of
water, acts as a natural sponge and helps to soak rain water in the soil.
Home for wildlife.
Tourism – The National park and sanctuaries are visited by lakhs of tourists every
year to see animals and birds in their natural habitat.
Eco-balance – Forests provide pollution free environment, low temperature, conserve
moisture.

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Distinguish Between the following:-

Vegetation
It includes trees, plants and grasses which
grow in a particular environment.
Trees, shrubs and grasses grow in a given
ecological frame.
Vegetation provides distinct landscape
such as woodland, grassland, etc.
Forest
This term is generally used to denote a
large area covered by trees and shrubs and
sustaining thousands of life forms, which
include both plants and animals,.
Forests are thick with dense growth of
trees.
Forests provide just one landscape.

Tropical Evergreen Forests Tropical Deciduous Forests

The forests are dense, multi-layered, trees
form canopies, many types of trees and
shrubs are found.
Trees occur in mixed stands.
Trees reach great heights of more than 60
m or above.
Trees do not have a fixed time to shed their
leaves altogether, so appear evergreen.
Difficult to exploit the forests,
commercially not very important.
The density of the forests is less, variety of
species is less.
Trees occur in pure stands.
Height of the trees is less.
Trees shed their leaves altogether in dry
periods.
Easy to exploit the forests, commercially
very important.

III. Structured Questions:-

1. (a) The amount of annual rainfall is more than 250 cm. and average annual
temperature is between 25º C and 27º C.
(b) Refer to I-5
(c) Characteristic features of deciduous forests are:
The trees in the tropical deciduous forests shed their leaves during spring and
early summer when the shortage of water is acute, even the sub-soil water is not
enough for the trees to keep their leaves all the year round.
A particular species can be found over a large area i.e. trees occur in pure stands.
They are commercially most exploited forests in India.
(d) (i) The Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall, mainly the western slopes, where
the annual rainfall is more than 250 cm. so thick evergreen forests grow but
the Eastern Ghats receive highly seasonal rainfall and the amount is also less
(100 cm to 200 cm.) so forest type is tropical deciduous.
(ii) The trees in these forests do not have a fixed time to shed their leaves to
flower or for fruition because of high temperature and availability of water
almost throughout the year.
(iii) The density of the forests is less, it is easy to develop proper transport
facilities.
Trees occur in pure stands so it is easy to exploit.

2. (a) The forests are found in south-western Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, central
and eastern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, parts of
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh.
(b) Littoral forests grow in tropical climate with average temperature of about 26o C
to29oC. and annual rainfall ranges between 150 cm and 200 cm.
(c) These forests have xerophytic vegetation. Due to scanty rainfall, the trees are
stunted with large patches of coarse grasses.
The plants have special adaptations to adjust with long hot dry season and
presence of low soil moisture. They have long roots which penetrate deep into
the soil to absorb moisture.
The leaves are modified into spines to prevent excessive loss of water through
transpiration. They are thorny in nature. Leaves are small and waxy for some
plants.

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 Trees have succulent stems that is, they can store water.
In these forests, plants remain leafless for most part of the year and look like scrub
vegetation.
(d) The characteristic features of Littoral forests are:
Forests have mainly evergreen species of varying density and height, usually
associated with wetness.
Mangrove vegetation has pneumatophores or breathing roots to absorb oxygen
as the soil is poor in oxygen.
The tree trunks are supported by a number of stilt roots which are submerged
during high tide and have a profuse root system which are beneficial for
surviving in soft and shifting mud.

3. Refer to the textbook page no. 123-124

4. (a) Refer to the textbook page no. 125

(b) Refer to the textbook page no. 124
(c) Refer to the textbook page no. 125
(d) Agro-forestry is different from traditional forestry in the sense that it is not
vulnerable to population stresses. It is created in accordance with the socio-
cultural practices of the population. In fact, agro-forestry reduces the pressure of
population on traditional forestry.
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