NCERT Solutions Class 8th Geography Chapter – 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources in which we What are land soil water natural vegetation and wild life resources, What is land class 8 geography, What is soil What is land resources, What are the 4 types of natural resources, What is wildlife resources reading about etc
NCERT Solutions Class 8th Geography Chapter – 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources
Chapter – 2
Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources
Notes
Land
The land is an important natural resource which covers only 30 per cent of the earth’s surface.
Land provides most of human needs. Its use depends on physical factors such as topography, soil, climate, mineral and availability of water and human factors.
Due to the excessive use of land for agricultural and constructional activities, the major problem of land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, etc. arises.
To conserve the land, we must promote afforestation, check to overgraze and regulate the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
LAND USE – Land is used for different purposes such as agriculture, ways the land has been used in the forestry, mining, building above picture. houses, roads and setting up of industries. This is commonly termed as Land use. Can you list out the different ways in and Peter’s family use their land? in which Mamba’s The use of land is determined by physical factors as topography, soil, climate, minerals and availability of water. Human factors such as population and technology are also important determinants of land use pattern.
CONSERVATION OF LAND RESOURCE – 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 must be checked. Afforestation, land reclamation, regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilisers and checks on overgrazing are some of the common methods used to conserve land resources.
Soil
The Supper layer of the land’s surface is called soil.
Soil formation depends on the nature of parent rock, climate, relief features, flora, fauna, microorganisms and time.
Deforestation, overgrazing, overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, rain wash, landslides and floods leads to soil degradation.
Conservation of soil can be done by mulching, contour barriers, constructing rock dam, terrace farming, intercropping, contour ploughing and making shelterbelts.
FACTORS OF SOIL FORMATION – 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.
DEGRADATION OF SOIL AND CONSERVATION MEASURES – Soil erosion and depletion are the major threats to soil as a resource. Both human and natural factors can lead to degradation of soils. Factors which lead to soil degradation are deforestation, overgrazing, overuse of chemical fertilisers or pesticides, rain wash, landslides and floods.
Water
Three-fourth of the earth surface is covered with water, out of which only 2.7 per cent water is fresh water, but only 1% of fresh water is available for human use.
The excessive use of water leads to a shortage in supply of fresh water either due to drying up of water sources or due to water pollution.
Discharge of untreated sewage, agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents in water bodies causes water pollution.
Water conservation can be done by afforestation, adopting effective techniques for irrigation and promoting rainwater harvesting.
PROBLEMS OF WATER AVAILABILITY – There is scarcity of water in many regions of the world. Most of Africa, West Asia, South Asia, parts of western USA, north-west Mexico, parts of South America and entire Australia are facing shortages in fresh water supply. Countries located in climatic zones most susceptible to droughts face great problems of water scarcity. Thus, water shortage may be a consequence of variation in seasonal or annual precipitation or the scarcity is caused by over-exploitation and contamination of water sources.
CONSERVATION OF WATER RESOURCES – Access to clean and adequate water sources is a major problem facing the world today. Steps have to be taken to conserve this dwindling resource. Even though water is a renewable resource, its overuse and pollution make it unfit for use. Discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage, agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents in water bodies are major contaminants. They pollute water with nitrates, metals and pesticides.
Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the biosphere and they are interrelated and interdependent on each other for their survival. This system is called an ecosystem.
Natural vegetation and wildlife both are valuable resources. They are not only useful for us, but they also help in maintaining balance in nature.
Major vegetations of the ecosystems are forests, grasslands, scrubs and Tundra.
Due to deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami Tundra, landslides and poaching, many species of vegetation and wildlife have become extinct and many others are on the verge of extinction.
We can conserve natural vegetation and wildlife by making national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.
DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL VEGETATION – The growth of vegetation depends primarily on temperature and moisture. The major vegetation types of the world are grouped as forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra. In areas of heavy rainfall, huge trees may thrive. The forests are thus associated with areas having abundant water supply. As the amount of moisture decreases the size of trees and their density reduces. Short stunted trees and grasses grow in the regions of moderate rainfall forming the grasslands of the world. Thorny shrubs and scrubs grow in dry areas of low rainfall. In such areas plants have deep roots and leaves with thorny and waxy surface reduce loss of moisture through transpiration. Tundra vegetation of cold Polar Regions comprise of mosses and lichens.
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE – Forests are our wealth. Plants give shelter to the animals and together they maintain the ecosystem. Changes of climate and human interferences can cause the loss of natural habitats for the plants and animals. Many species have become vulnerable or endangered and some are on the verge of extinction. Deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami and landslides are some of the human and natural factors which accelerate the process of extinction of these resources.
Private Land – A part of land owned by a particular individual or group of individuals is called private land.
Community Land – A part of land not owned by anyone but meant for use by a large group of people living in a society, is called community land.
Deforestation – The action of cutting down trees is called deforestation.
Afforestation: The action of planting trees is called afforestation.
Weathering – Weathering refers to the breaking up and decay of exposed rocks. This breaking up and decay is caused by temperature fluctuations, frost action, plants, animals and even human activity.
Parent Rock – The original rock from which soil has been formed is called its parent rock.
Mulching – Mulching is the process of covering the bare ground between plants with a layer of organic matter like straw.
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.
Inter cropping – In inter cropping, 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 shelterbelts.
Fresh Water – Water fit for human consumption is called fresh water.
Water Cycle – The natural process of the constant motion of water through evaporation, condensation and rainfall is called the water cycle.
Rain Water Harvesting – The process of conserving water in which rainwater is collected so that it can come of use in times of water scarcity is called rainwater harvesting.
Biosphere – The narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are called the biosphere.
Ecosystem – The supporting and interdependent life-system that exists in the biosphere is called an ecosystem.
Natural Vegetation – Plants and trees constitute natural vegetation.
Wildlife – The animal kingdom, which consists of animals, birds, aquatic creatures and insects, is called a wildlife.
Scavenger – A bird or animal which feeds on dead livestock is called a scavenger.
Tundra – The type of vegetation found in very cold regions like the Arctic is called Tundra vegetation.
Evergreen Forests – The forests which never shed their leaves are called evergreen forests.
Deciduous Forests – The forests which shed their leaves once at a particular time o.f the year are called deciduous forests.
Vanamahotsava – The social programme of planting trees, organised at community level is called vanamahotsava.
National Parks – A national park is a natural area supposed to be used to protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for the present and future generations.
Wildlife Sanctuaries – A wildlife sanctuary is similar to a national park, but it is supposed to protect a particular animal, in some cases, or wildlife in general, in other cases.
Biosphere Reserves – These are a series of protected areas linked through a global network, intended to demonstrate the relationship between conservation and development.
NCERT Solution Class 8th Geography All Chapters Notes
