Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resource | Chapter 2 | Geography |

Chapter 2 – Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resource

Exercises

Q1. Answer the following questions:

(i). Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?

Ans. Temperature and rainfall are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation.

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(ii) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.

Ans. Deforestation and the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in agricultural lands are two factors contributing to land degradation.

(iii). Why is land considered an important resource?

Ans. The land is among the most important natural resources. It provides habitation to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Human beings use the land for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses and roads, and setting up industries.

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(iv). Name two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals?

Ans. Two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals:

(a) Has set up national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for protecting natural vegetation and wildlife; for example, the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

(b) Has banned the killing of lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards, and peacocks. It has also prohibited the trade of the species of plants and animals protected under the international agreement CITES.

(v) Suggest three ways to conserve water.

Ans. Three ways to conserve water:

(a) Rain-water harvesting.

(b) Reducing wastage of water.

(c) Replenishing groundwater by promoting afforestation.

 

Q2. 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) shelterbelts (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 of polypacks after shopping

Ans.

(i). Which one of the following is not a factor of soil formation?

Ans. (b). Soil texture

(ii). Which one of the following methods is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep slopes?

Ans. (c) Terrace cultivation

(iii). Which one of the following is not in favour of the conservation of nature?

Ans. (c) Dispose of polypacks after shopping

Q3.  Match the following:

(i) Land use           (a) prevent soil erosion

(ii) Humus        (b) the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere

(iii) Rock dams      (c) productive use of land

(iv) Biosphere                 (d) organic matter deposited on topsoil

(e) contour ploughing

Ans.

i. Land use       Productive use of land

ii. Humus         Organic matter deposited on topsoil

iii. Rock dams            Prevent soil erosion

iv. Arable land           Land suitable for agriculture

v. Barrier        Contour ploughing

Q4. State whether the given statements are true or false. If true, write the reasons.

(i) Ganga–Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region.

(ii) Water availability per person in India is declining.

(iii) Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement are called intercropping.

(iv) Human interference and changes in climate can maintain the ecosystem.

Ans. 

(i) This statement is true. Plains and river valleys offer suitable land for agriculture. Hence, these are densely-populated areas of the world.

(ii). This statement is true. Though water is present in abundance, freshwater is a scarce resource. Water availability is a serious problem in many regions of the world. Due to the wastage of water, deforestation, and the pollution and depletion of freshwater reserves (such as rivers and groundwater), the availability of water is fast declining.

(iv). This statement is false. The described process is called shelterbelts.

Intercropping is the process in which different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.

(v). This statement is false. Human interferences and climatic changes for the most part adversely affect the balance of the ecosystem.