Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Answer the following Questions:

Important terms:
A. Land use - Land is used for different purposes such as
agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads, and
setting up of industries. This is commonly termed Land use.
B. Weathering - The breaking up and decay of exposed rocks, by
temperature changes, frost action, plants, animals, and
human activity.
C. Biosphere - Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the
narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere,
hydrosphere, and atmosphere that we call biosphere.
D. Ecosystem - In the biosphere, living beings are interrelated
and interdependent on each other for survival. This life-
supporting system is known as the ecosystem.
E. National Parks - National Park A natural area designated to
protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for
the present and the future generations
F. Biosphere reserves - Biosphere reserves are series of
protected areas linked through a global network, intended to
demonstrate the relationship between conservation and
development.

1. Which are the factors responsible for soil formation?

A. A number of factors contribute to soil formation and its fertility.

They are as follows:
 The rock on which soils are formed disintegrates and
decomposes under the process of weathering and
decomposition. The original rock (parent rock) provides the
 basic material towards the formation of soil thus deciding the
type and quality of soil.

 Climate decides the rate of weathering and erosion. , If there

is more moisture and more fluctuation in temperature, then
the rate of weathering will be greater.

 The remains of dead plants and animals provide organic

matter which decomposes. It is known as humus. It gets
mixed up with the soil and becomes an essential part of it.

 This refers to the landscape position and the slopes it has.

Steep, long slopes mean water will run down faster and
potentially erode the surfaces of slopes. The effect will be
poor soils on the slopes, and richer deposits at the foot of the
slopes. Also, slopes may be exposed to more direct sunlight,
which may dry out soil moisture and render it less fertile.

 Time is a very big factor regarding the formation of soil. Soils

can take many years to form. Younger soils have some
characteristics from their parent material, but as they age, the
addition of organic matter, exposure to moisture and other
environmental factors may change its features. With time,
they settle and are buried deeper below the surface, taking
time to transform. Eventually they may change from one soil
type to another.
2. Write any two reasons for land degradation today.

A. The two reasons for land degradation are:

 Physical factors like the slope of the land, velocity of wind,

rate of rainfall, etc facilitate soil erosion.
 Human factors like deforestation, overgrazing of land, over-
irrigation, overuse of land by adding chemical fertilizers, etc.

3. Why is land considered an important resource?

A. The land is a very important natural resource as all human beings

live on it.
95% of the human requirements in terms of food, clothing,
housing, wood for construction, mineral resources etc are
obtained from the land.

4. How can you classify land resources?

 A. Land can also be classified on the basis of ownership as –
private land and community land.
B. Private land is owned by individuals whereas, community land
is owned by the community for common uses like collection
of fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs. These community
lands are also called common property resources.

5. What measures can we take to conserve soil?

A. Soil erosion and depletion are the major threats to soil as a
resource. Some methods of soil conservation are:
Mulching: The bare ground between plants is covered with a
layer of organic matter like straw. It helps to retain soil
moisture.
Contour barriers: Stones, grass, soil are used to build barriers
along contours. Trenches are made in front of the barriers to
collect water.
Rock dam: Rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water.
This prevents gullies and further soil loss.
Terrace farming: Broad flat steps or terraces are made on
steep slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow crops.
They reduce surface runoff and soil erosion.
Intercropping: Different crops are grown in alternate rows
and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain
wash.
Contour ploughing: Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill
slope to form a natural barrier for water to flow down the
slope.
Shelter belts: In the coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are
planted to check the wind movement to protect soil cover.
6. Name the steps taken by the government to conserve plants and
animals.

A. Some of the steps taken by the government to conserve plants

and animals are:

 Various national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves

have been set up in various parts of India where the flora and
fauna and kept in their natural habitat.
 Periodic censuses are being conducted to find out the latest
position of some rare species of plants and animals.
 Awareness programmes like social forestry and
Vanamahotasava are encouraged at the regional and
community levels.

7. Suggest three ways to conserve water.

A. The three ways to conserve water are:

 The contaminated water should be treated before releasing it

into water bodies.
 Rainwater harvesting is a useful way of collecting water while
it rains, so it can be used in the future. It also prevents surface
run-off and saves water.
 Wastage of water should be checked at home and schools.
Wastewater from the kitchen and washing can be used in
gardens and toilets.

8. With the help of a diagram, explain the soil profile.

A. A vertical section of Earth reveals the different layers of the soil,
which is known as soil profiling. Different layers have been
designated as soil horizons.

 A - Horizon --- The uppermost, dark in colour, rich in humus

are the characteristics of A - Horizon. It is the most important
layer of soil which supports many animals and all plants to
complete their life process. A - Horizon also provides the living
habitat to the lower animals like worms, rodents, snakes,
moles, etc. Humus [decomposing organic matters] makes the
soil fertile which provides nutrients to the plant. This top layer
is generally soft, porous and can retain more water.

 B - Horizon --- It is the middle layer which is comparatively

more hard and compact than the upper A - Horizon. It also has
less amount of humus [organic nutrients] but more of
inorganic nutrients like Magnesium, Iron, Sodium, Calcium,
Potassium, etc.

 C - Horizon --- It is made up of small lumps of rock with cracks

and crevices.

 Below Horizon - C is the Bed - Rock, which is hard and difficult

to dig with spade.
9. Write a short note on CITES.
A. CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement
between governments.
It aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild
animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Roughly 5,000 species of animals and 28,000 species of plants
are protected. Bears, dolphins, cacti, corals, orchids and aloes
are some examples.