CHAPTER 2 - Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Resources

Land as a natural resource

 Land is one of the most important natural resources refer to the text for definition of
natural resources.
 Only about 30% of the Earth's surface is land, and not all of it is habitable.
 This means that land is a finite resource, and we need to use it wisely.

Uneven distribution of population

 the uneven distribution of population around the world is mainly due to the varied
characteristics of land and climate.
 Some areas, such as mountains, deserts, and thick forests, are difficult to live in and
have low population densities.
 Other areas, such as plains and river valleys, have fertile land and good water
supplies, and these areas tend to be densely populated.

Land Use

 Land use refers to the way that humans use land for various purposes.
 some examples of land use including:
o Agriculture: This is the use of land for growing crops and raising animals for
food.
o Forestry: This is the use of land for growing trees.
o Mining: This is the process of removing minerals from the earth.
o Housing: This is the use of land for building houses and other residential
buildings.
o Industries: This is the use of land for setting up factories and other industrial
buildings.

Factors affecting Land Use

 two main factors that affect land use:

o Physical factors: This includes things like topography (the shape of the land),
soil type, climate, and the availability of water. For example, land that is flat
and fertile is more likely to be used for agriculture, while mountainous areas
may be used for forestry.
o Human factors: This includes things like population and technology. As the
population grows, there is a greater demand for land for housing, agriculture,
and other purposes. Technology can also affect land use, for example, the
development of new methods of farming has allowed humans to cultivate land
that was previously unsuitable for agriculture.

Land Ownership
  two types of land ownership:
o Private land: This is land that is owned by individuals or businesses.
o Community land: This is land that is owned by a community and used for
common purposes such as collecting food, firewood, or medicinal plants.

Changes in Land Use

 land use patterns change over time. This can be due to a number of factors, such as
population growth, economic development, and changes in technology. For example,
as cities grow, more land is needed for housing and businesses. This may lead to a
decrease in the amount of land available for agriculture.

 Soil is made up of four main components:

 Minerals: Broken down pieces of rocks and other inorganic materials.

 Organic matter: Decayed remains of plants and animals.
 Air: Fills the spaces between soil particles and is important for plant root respiration.
 Water: Fills the spaces between soil particles and is essential for plant growth.

 The relative proportions of these components can vary depending on location and
other factors. For example, fertile soil typically has a good balance of minerals and organic
matter.

 Soil is important for plant growth because it provides:

 Physical support for plants

 Nutrients for plant growth
 Water for plant growth
 Air for plant roots

Factors Affecting Soil Formation

several factors influence how soil is formed. Here are the five main ones:

 Parent Material: This is the starting material from which soil is formed. It can be
bedrock, broken pieces of rock, or mineral deposits. The type of parent material will
affect the texture and fertility of the soil. For example, soil derived from granite will
be different from soil derived from limestone.
 Climate: Climate includes factors like temperature and rainfall. Warmer temperatures
and more rainfall will speed up the breakdown of parent material.
 Relief: This refers to the shape of the land, such as mountains, hills, plains, and
valleys. Steeper slopes will experience more erosion, which can prevent soil from
accumulating.
 Organisms: Living organisms, like plants, animals, and microorganisms, all play a
role in soil formation. Plant roots break up rocks and dead plants and animals
decompose to add organic matter to the soil.
 Time: Soil formation is a slow process that takes hundreds or even thousands of
years.

Soil Profile
soil profile as a vertical section of soil that shows different layers. The image you sent shows
a diagram of a soil profile. Here are the layers from top to bottom:

 Topsoil: This is the uppermost layer of soil. It is usually dark-colored and rich in
organic matter, making it the most fertile layer for plant growth.
 Subsoil: This layer is below the topsoil and contains less organic matter than the
topsoil. It may also contain more clay particles than the topsoil.
 Weathered rock: This layer is made up of broken down pieces of parent rock.
 Parent rock: This is the solid rock layer beneath the soil.

Degradation of Soil and Conservation Measures :

 Mulching: The bare ground between plants is covered with a layer of organic matter like
straw. It helps to retain soil moisture.
 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 the 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.
 Shelter belts: In the coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are planted to check the wind
movement to protect soil cover