Learning Objectives: 21 Land 22 Soill 23° Water 24 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife W: know resources found in nature are called natural resources. In this chapter, we will study about some natural resources, their distribution, and utilisation. Although all natural resources are renewable, careless use or overuse can lead to depletion in their quantity at a much higher rate than their renewal. This would lead lo their shortage. Therefore, we need to take appropriate steps to utilise resources properly and help conserve them, 2.1 LAND 1. LAND AS A RESOURCE Land provides soil cover for growth of plants. It provides mineral resources to industries and materials for construction of houses. It is also an important source of livelihood for many humans Therefore, land is an important resource. However, its availability is limited. Only 30% of the total area Land resource CHAPTER 2 Natural Resources — Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife of the Earth's surtace is covered by land. The rest is water. Difficult climate or rough terrain makes most ofthe land on Earth unsuitable forliving. Of the total land area, only 30% is inhabited by most (90%) of the world’s population, People usually prefer to live in the plains or river valleys.as the land and climate in such areas is more suitable for living and farming, The remaining areas such as mountains, deserts, dense forests, and the Polar regions are either uninhabited of sparsely populated due to tough living conditions. It does not mean that uninhabited land is not a resource. Every bit of land on our planet is a resource. Mountains give birth to perennial rivers and support forests, which in turn provide shelter to wildlife. Plains provide fertile land and flat terrain for agriculture. Plateaus are storchouses of minerals. ‘The Polar regions help regulate the climate of the whole planet Polar region is sparsely populated‘Chapter 2: Natural Resources ~ Land, Soll, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wikdite G7 2 CLASSIFICATION OF LAND Land can be classified on the basis of relief, soil fertility, development, use, and ownership. (i) On the basis of relief, land can be classified into plains, plateaus, or mountains. A mountain isan elevated part of the Earth’s surface with a steep slopeand a conical shape. Plateau are highlands with flat tops. Plains are flat, lowslying areas with gradual slopes. (ii) On the basis of soil fertility, land can be classified as fertileor barren. (ii) On the basis of development, land ean be called urbanor rural. (iv) On the basis of use, land can be arable, pasture, forest, fallow, cultivable waste. Arable lands are those which are suitable for growing erops. Land suitable for grazing is called pasture land Land on which cropscan be grown, but has been, eft uncultivated for one season or more to increase its fertility is called fallow land. Land which can be used for crap production, but has not been cultivated is called cultivable wasteland. (v) On the basis of ownership, land can be private, community, or gavernment-owned. Land owned by individuals is known as private land. Land owned by a community for common use such as collection of fruits, fodder, nuts, herbs, ete, is called community land. Community lands ane also known as common property resources. 3. LAND USE Land can be put to a number of uses. It can be used for agriculture, forestry, mining, setting up factories, constructing buildings, laying roads, etc, The utility of any land, or Jand use pattern, is determined by: (i) climate, (i) its physical features suchasterrain, typeof soil, availability of water and mineral resources, (iii) its ownership, Le, whether it is private or belongs to anentire community, ) human population, the needs of the people, and their technical knowledge. Land use pattern changes with change in the needs of people and development of technology. For example, if the population in an area increases, more land has to be brought under cultivation in order to grow more food, growing industrialisation and urbanisation, land under forests, pastures, and agriculture is decreasing all over the world, Today, we need land not just for industries, houses, and transport, but also for multiplexes, shopping malls, amusement parks, ete. But we need to understand that land is a limited resource and its continued exploitation will lead to its degradation and cause problems forus, Land is used for agriculture4, CONSERVATION OF LAND ‘The population of the world isincreasing day by day. To make space for this growing population, more forests and grasslands are being removed. This has resulted in degradation of land, Vast tracts of land have become unproductive due to overexploitation, Soil erosion, desertification, and landslides have become common in many arcas. In an effort to raise agricultural produce, man has been making excessive use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides, and over-irrigating fields. This has further degraded the soil. Therefore, there is an urgent need toconserveland, There are many measures that can be taken to conserve land: (Afforestation, which means converting lands into forests (i) Controlled grazing of cattle and livestock, (iii) Reclaiming wastelands, (iv) Regulating the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides. (%) Avoiding excessive irrigation of fields. (vi) Preventing industries from dumping untreated toxicwasteon land. (vif) Disposing organic waste in landfills. Miteriniurn Social Science-8 Definition Desertification 's the process by which a fertie land tums into a desert. id A landslide is the siding down of a mass of the Earth ‘or rock from a mountain or diff after an earthquake or heavy rainfall Land degradation refers to fallin productivity of land, Table-t : Percentage of land use Brasil Canada Orin India jispe USA, World 1 Think and Answer 1. From the above mble, i obvious that the main ccupation of Indians 's agreature. Can you entity the main occupation of: (@) Australians? (0), rastions? $= ‘2. See Table] and name the countries which have the ‘highest percentage of land under: (@) Agnouiture: () Forests (©) Pessures 2.2 SOIL Soil is 4 thin, grainy layer made of organic and inorganic matter spread over the Earth’s crust, It comprises inorganic matter such as minerals and weathered rocks, and organic matter like humus (formed by the decaying of dead plant and animal matter). Soils are of various types, depending an the proportion of organic and inorganic matter in them, and the nature of the parent rock. Ifa soil has a well- balanced mix of minerals and humus, itis said tobe fertile 1. SOIL AS A RESOURCE Soil isan extremely important natural resource as it, supports all plant life on the Earth. In the absence of sail cover, plants cannot grow. Therefore, we can say.Chapter 2: Natural Resources — Land, Sol, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wiidife Go that soil determines the agricultural activity ina region. Regions that have fertile soils are rich in agricultural resources and support larger populations. For example, river valleys and temperate grasslands have the most fertile soils. {n river valleys, fertile soil is constantly replenished by flooding of rivers. Temperate grasslands have fertile soils due to high humus content in them caused by the decaying of dead grasses. 2, FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE FORMATION OF SOIL ‘The process by which soil is formed is a very slow one, It takes hundreds of years for just 1 centimetre thick layer of soil to form. The nature of the parent rock and climatic conditions such as temperature and rainfall determine the rate at which soil is formed. The flora and fauna determine the humus content in 3 particular soil, Physical features such as altitude and slope of land along with time determine the thickness of soil ina particular region, For example, soil covers relatively thinon mountain slopes while valleysand plainshave thick soil cover, 3. SOIL PROFILE you dig a deep hole going all the way from the soil surface to the parent rock, you will find several ayers of soil. These layers are called soil horizons. ‘Together, they form the soil profile. The soil profile is not the same everywhere. The main layers or horizons of soi ‘© Topsoil or Horizon A: It is the dark, uppermost layer of soil. It is rich in humus, which is necessary for the growth of plants. * Sub-soil or Horizon Bi: This layer lies just beneath the topsoil. It contains sand, silt, and clay. Ithashigh mineral content, but little humus. This layer holds more water as it contains iron and clay, Topsoil and sub-soil arc together referred tos true soil * Weathered rock of Horizon C: This layer contains small particles of rocks from which true soilis formed, There is no humus inthis layer. * Bedrock or Horizon D: This layer comprises solid rock. Definition ‘Mumus is a dark-coloured organic matter formed by the ‘decompostion of dead plants and organisms in the soil. ‘Weathered rocks are those thet have broken down or decayed due to the action of tempernture, plants, animals, and humans. 4, TYPES OF SOIL There are different types of soll, stich as alluvial soil, black soil, red soil, laterite soil, desert sol, forest soil, and mountain soil. Alluvial soil is the most fertile soil. It is formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers. As rivers flow down mountains, they carry large loads of eroded materials or, alluvium, in the form of sand, silt, anc clay. They usually deposit most of this material in the plains to form fertile alluvial soil, Alluvial soil is suitable for cultivating food crops. In India, the Indo- Gangetic plainsare rich in alluvial soil Black soil, also known as regur or cotton soil, is formed by the weathering of volcanic rocks. As clayey, this soil retains water and swells when wet, but develops cracks when dry. It is suitable for growing cotton and sugarcane, ‘The Deccan Plateau of India is rich in fertile black soil. Sf Black sollG10 Red soil is formed by the weathering of old igneous and metamorphic rocks. The soil is red in colour as it contains iron, The Peninsular regions of India are rich in red soil. This soil can be made fertile by adding fertilisers and manure. It is suitable for growing maize, pulses, and millets, Laterite soil is formed by leaching, (Le, the washing. away of fertile topsoil by rain) in areas of heavy rainfall, This soil can be made fertile by adding manure and fertilisers, [tis suitable for cultivating, mallets, jute, fodder crops, etc. In India, this type of soil is found in areas of heavy rainfall such as Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh. Desert soil is found in arid regions. It is quite sandy and has law humus and moisture content. This type of soil can be made cultivable through irrigation. In India, Western Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat have thistype of soil Forest soil is found in regions that have dense vegetation such as forests, This type of soil is rich in humus. In India, the forests of Bihar, Uttarakhand, and the Evergreen Forests {¥% in the Western Ghats have this type of | ij soil. Mountain soil is formed by the deposition of organic matter. It is usually found on forest-covered slopes of mountains Special resource Soll as a resource, has-a special significance for our ‘country as two-thirds of the population directly epends upon agrouttre for its ivelinood. Pasco 5. CONSERVATION OF SOIL Soil is a renewable resource. However, its slow rate ‘of formation makes its conservation necessary. Soil erosion and depletion of soil cover are affecting the quality and availability of this resource. Erosion is ‘the chief reason for degradation of soil. Both nature and humans are responsible for soil erosion Running water and wind are the two natural forces, that take away fertile top soil, thereby causing soil depletion and degradation. Human activities such Red soit Mtennium Social Scence-8 Desert soil as deforestation, overgrazing, and excessive use af fertilisers and pesticides also contribute to soil erosion, Therefore, it is important to take steps to conserve soil. Some practices that can help conserve soil are: 1, Terrace farming: In hilly areas, flat steps are made on the sides of mountains for cultivation, ‘The steps not only provide level land for growing crops, butalso reduce surface run-off. It helps control soil erosion. 2. Contour farming: Farms in hilly areas have ‘small barriers made with stones, grass, or sand all around them. These natural barriers prevent ‘carrying away of soil by water Trenches are also‘Chapter 2: Natural Resources ~ Land, Sol, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wife dug in front of the barriers, whichvhelp to collect water. In addition, the land is ploughed along the contours of a hill rather than along the slope, This again provides » path for water to flow down the slope, thereby checking soil erosion. 3. Shelter belts: Deserts and coastal arcas experience very strong winds. Therefore, to prevent soil from being carried away by high speed winds, rows of trees are planted around farms 4. Mulehing: In arid and semi-arid regions, farms are covered with a layer of organic matter such as wet straws, leaves, ete, to help soil retain Mulching moisture. This process is known as mulching, Mulching helps prevent soil erosion as moist soil ismot easily carried away by wind Intercropping/Strip cropping: Two or more crops ane grown together in a field to keep soil from being washed away by rain 6 Check dams: These comprise rocks piled together to prevent soil from e getting eroded by running water, They also help prevent gully erosion, ic, uneven erosion of soil by running water. Afforestation and controlled grazing of cattle and livestock can also help check soil erasion Contour farming el Check dam Definition ‘Soll erosion refers to removal of top fertile layer of soil (by wind oF running water Badiand is an ares degraded by gully erosion, Gil INTEXT QUESTIONS (Q1 Of the total innd area, only —_ ig inabltet bby 90% af the world's population, © 20% (i) 10% (il) 30% (W) 90% 2 The land use pattern is determined by: (diate (0) ownership (Wi) population (ty) all of these 3 Foctors that influence formation of soil are and () nature oF the parent rock (0) technology (i) climate (hv) altitude Q4 Covering forms with a layer of organic matter called: () ntercropping @) mulching {W) cantour farming (rey tmerace farming 5 Sub-soll contains small particles of rocks from which true soll Is formed. Thue or false? 2.3 WATER 1. WATER AS A RESOURCE Water isa precious resource. All living beings need water, Human beings require water not just for drinking and washing but also for cooking, cleaning, agriculture, industries, and generation of electricity. While its uses are many, the quantity of water actually available for use is very limited. Therefore, wemust becareful when utilising this resource. 2. DISTRIBUTION OF WATER Though water covers most of the Earth’s surface, not all of it is fit for consumption. Most of the water found on the Earth (Le, nearly 97%) is in the oceans, AAs the ocean water is saline, we cannot use it. Only 3% of water found on the Earth is fresh water, which is fit for use. OF this, only 1% is available for consumption as the rest is locked in ice sheets and glaciers in Polar and mountain regions. Therefore, fresh water that is fit for use is very precious, It is found as ground water, in rivers and lakes on the Earth's surface, or as vapourin the air. India has abundant resources of water. However, as these resources are not distributed evenly, our country faces an acute shortage of water. India has several perennial rivers such as the Ganga, the Brahmaputro, and the Narmada. Besides these, we have several seasonal rivers that are fed by the monsoon, Most of the rivers flood during the rainy season, In order to store this excess water and directG12 it for more efficient use, the government has launched several multipurpose projects in river valleys. These projects are meant 10 conserve water and make optimum use of this resource. The extra water from a river, especially during the rainy reason, is stored in a reservoir by making a dam across the river. The stoned water is later used for irrigation, generation of electricity, navigation, fisheries, ete. Damodar Valley Project was the first multipurpose project in India, Other important multipurpose projects include the Bhakra-Nangal Project (the Jargest in the country), the Hirakud Project, and the Nagarjunasagar Project. “These projects are especially important as agriculture in India is increasingly becoming dependent on irrigation. Some important sources of irrigation in our country are canals, dams, tubewells, and tanks. Factors affecting distribution of water Like other natural resources, the distribution of water is highly uneven. It depends on the following: (Climatic conditions: In certain climatic zones, annual rainfall is low and so less water is available in these areas, In certain climatic zones, such as monsoon regions, there are annual as well as seasonal variations in the amount of rainfall received, which again affects the availability of water. (ii) Physical factors: Areas that have porous soils have ahigh water table as more water percolates inside the ground. In contrast, areas that are rocky have low water tables. For example, the Northern Plains of India have a high water table as they are covered with porous alluvial soil, while the rocky Peninsular Plateau has a low water table Definition ‘The leve! at which ground water Is found 1s called water | Natural imbalance in water availability Asa result of the factors affecting the distribution of water, there is a natural imbalance in availability of water Some parts of the world have more water While others face a shortage. Human activity has added to making water a scarce resource. The growth in population and urbanisation has led to an increase in demand for water. It has also led to increased demand for food. As a result, agricultural activity has risen and more water is being used for irrigation, Excessive pumping of ground water for urban use has lowered the water table in many arcas, such as the Northern Plains of India, Many water bodies have dried up as a result of averexploitation. Discharge of untreated sewage, industrial waste, fertilisersand pesticides into water bodies has made their water contaminated and therefore. unfit for consumption,‘Chapter 2: Natural Resources ~ Land, Sell, Wastes, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife 3. CONSERVATION OF WATER ‘Contamination of water and its overuse is a major issue across the world today. Efforts are bbeing made to conserve this important resource. Some of the methods by which water can be conserved are: * Planting of trees and other vegetation: This slows down the surface run-off and forces water to seep inside the ground, thus helping raise the water table ina place. © Rainwater harvesting: [t can help meet increased demand for water and raise the water lable ina given area. Rainwater harvesting refers to collecting and storing rain water in underground tanks for future use, Water from such tanks can be diverted to an underground pit from where it can seep deeper into the ground and help raise the watertable. + Use of sprinklers, drip/trickle irrigation: Using sprinklers in fields, or drip/trickle methods of irrigation helps to reduce loss of water through seepage and evaporation. This in turn reduces the amount of water required to irrigate a field, thereby helping conserve water. Lining, irrigation canals properly can also help prevent lossof water through seepage. + Recycling: We can recycle water used in our kitchens for other domestic purposes, such as washing courtyards, watering plants, etc Industries can also recycle and reuse water for processing, ‘+ Treating effluents: The treatment of sewage and industrial effluents before releasing them into water bodies can help check water pollution. We must inculcate the habit of not wasting any natural resources. We must also help raise awareness and educate people about the importance of natural resources and the need to protect them. Pollution fact 1 Hite of sewage pollutes 8 titres of water Rain harvest rule {In Tamil Nadu, & is compulscry for every household ‘to harvest rainwater. eT G13 2.4 NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE 1. NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE AS A RESOURCE Natural vegetation refers to the different plants, shrubs, trees, etc, that grow naturally in an area, without any help oF interference from humans. Wildlife refers to the different animals that are found ina particular area Plants and animals are an. important part of our biosphere. It is their interdependence and interaction with each other that helps sustain the ecosystem. Plants give us food, shelter, medicines, clothing, timber, etc. They provide us with oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide ‘They also help control soil erosion and allow water to seep into the ground. Therefore, they are an important resource. Wildlife, which includes animals, birds, insects, etc., provides us with food in the form of milk, meat, eggs, honey, ete. It provides us woo! and silk forclothing. Birds, animals, insects, aquatic plants, etc, also help in the dispersal of seeds and pollination af flowers. They help maintain the balance in the ecosystem. They are important links in. the food chain. Some of them act as decomposers and scavengers, and help cleanse the environment, Which makes them an important resource. ‘Natural vegetation 2. DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE The distribution and type of natural vegetation depends upon the climate, soil, and topography of a region. Vegetation may be classified as forests, grasslands, scrublands/shrubs, and tundra. Forests are mainly found in regions of high rainéall. Grasslands are found in regions of moderate rainfall and shrubs in regions of low rainfall, Tundra‘World - Natural vegetation TE] recs onsoun Fort lj Untmerannan Foret Ty rect everren Foret [Tere DecicunForet Tl rca ormsrcs ——] TeremeatnEvrroan Form! Hime [tos eptntn BE corteon Foret Eh ree costars Bil eras vguuton $4 To maintain the ecological thalance, Ba] a least 33% of total lend area Fd should be under forest cover: cd vegetation is primarily scen in cold regions, The distribution of wildlife depends.en climate and natural vegetation. Dense forests support rich wildlife. Desert wildlife is different from that found in the tuncira region. You have studied about the different kinds of vegetation and the type of animal life they support in your previous class, 3. CONSERVATION OF NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE To meet the demands of a rising population and urbanisation, forests have been cleared for agriculture, industries, and construction. Deforestation not only affects wildlifeand the physical conditions of anvarea, i also contributes to global warming. As the mumber of trees falls, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air increases, leading to a tise in temperature Deforestation also reduces the amount of rainfall received in a region. Loss of forest habitat has quickened process of extinction for many: species Animals are also being hunted and poached for their meat, skin, teeth, hides, horns, ete, which is posing « major threat to their survival. Some animals that are poached are lions, tigers, black bucks, and thinoceres. Mitennum Social Sesence-# Efforts are on to protect vogetation and wildlife across thse globe: 1. Many ateay have been declared National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves set up to protect plants and animals. National Parks are areas which are reserved to protect nat just wildlife but also natural vegetation, Wildlife Sanctuaries are areas reserved for protection af endangered wildlife species. Biosphere Reserves are a special category of protected, areas where plants and animals are preserved in their natural habitat. The Indian government has initiated ‘Project Tiger’, “Project Rhinoceros’, and ‘Project Elephant’ to protect endangered animals 2. Large-scale afforestation is being undertaken in many areas, In India, programmes like Van Mahotsaw are being organised to increase awareness about the importance of forests and to promote planting of trees. 3. Many countries have passed laws banning hunting, and trade of birds and animals, In India, hunting of black bucks, deers, tigers, and peacocks has been declared illegal. An intemational convention, CITES (the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora). has been adopted which lists species of animals and birds in which trade isbanned,Chapter 2: Natural Resources ~ Land, Sol, Water, Natural Vegetation and ‘Wife GAs More: about Blosphere Reserves A Biosphere Reserve 's 9 protected area which aims to preserve the genetic diversity of an ecosystem. The heart of the i] Reserve is a restricted area. Areas cn the periphery of the Reserve can be used for activities such as grazing and ccutivation. The none inbetween the two is meant for research and scientific studles on fara and fauna. Think and Answer Recall the different types of natural vegetation we studied about last year, and then answer the following: @) are lange tracts of land covered with trees and undergrowth. (b) Grassiands are areas where ___ ave the most dominant type of vegetation, (©) ____are short, woody, perennial plants that are commonly found in dry areas which receive ttle rainfall (@) Forests can be classified into desert and tundra types. True or false? (€) Tropical Grasslands are also imown as: Pampas/ Savannah/Campos/Steppe/Praitie. Select correet options, INTEXT QUESTIONS Q1 Ony. 3h OF walter found or the Burtt is fresh Q3 Rainwater harvesting refers to and = as fan oer end tans Ne 4 Taser of emoge ad utters foe rening 3 0 10 9* Gowen nap cs none uo he rte? Q2 There's a natural bawnce/masiance in aaiaosty of watt. Q'S The dation and type of natura vegetation pends upon: ‘Select the correct option. Q dimate (i) a0 (©) topograpny (0) Al Of these: Rewind {Luna an trae mscurce m prve sa comr fr gowih 4. Sea renmabla rescues, bt sw ae fmt Cf pans, mrou, on ction moter. ks a an irates cantina ineorark sours of weinecd tr mary hare Wr re prec racine: Clntamintion of watr and 2 Dea cates ont a rt oy, tenets mor tne sont he wore toa ewpmer te, an omens. Land us pate (rts al ani oon opr pt fr ape eer by te, psc etne fr, coer the aes hea oa Sass Dt He rae aU mee tase he pcp taccony = L Sol s an extremely bmportant ratural resource as tt supports all 7, Wigife provides us with food, Ceanse the environment, and Poets onthe EVOcn cosmans Vw apiuosscoey ns” Netey ree nan fd, Gome room men Terme torte: Contig re ore, + Rate tren: Aso coin and stg ra Desertification: Process Oy which a fertile land tums into a water in underground tanks for fvture use oot + tlonber!Nanow se ware nd, man ard ares ana segradotln: Pal procicowy of and. ‘nd suppert fe, fle nd teune togemer make Up the {csi sng down of «masse he Eat Fock om betes. |» mountain or cf ater an eathouake or heany rk. ‘+ Exosyster: Life surperting aystarn that formed by te +S A ateoiwed crane mute oma by 8 ‘arctan of hin egies neon er anita _Gecompasition of dend plants: and erganisms in the som. eecernaen es Des ‘+ Weathered rocks: Rocks that have broken down or decayed ‘Salina: High i sit content Suet the action of temperature, plants, ankrals, and " } i fama, ‘+ Check Deine: Comprise rocks pled together to prevent sai ‘Van Mahoteay: Programme tat encourages plating of trees. {From getting eroded bry rarniog wate i ‘egal Kling of arias for thle hide, teat, claws, + Giy ruson: Uneven erasion of sol by running water, ‘etc. Exercises Q4 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS: 1. aed a conmidered a resource because (a) hoe ngereton cf mecrery (2) de 08 co Rr pow of tarts (©) provides riaral resources to iat (6) a ofthese 2. valatilty of land ted. Onty 4 OF the total area of the Easth's surface i covered by land @)30 0 (7 3G-16 ‘Mitennium Social Seience-8 3. Lard use pattern changes wit ry (0) nes of pepe (a) ownership (0) devdopmant of techrosocy —(d) none of these 4. ‘These determine the rate at which salts formed (0) nature of the parent rock (6) flora aed fauna (€) temperature (6) rita 5, Type of farming where two or more crops are grown together in a fd to kaep soi from bang washed away by rai (@) contour farming (H) ste farmeg (©) interoopping (6) mutcring 6, fe suoportng system that ts formed by the mternctcn of ing organisms with each other and the environment they bws i: (a) besphere () desertification (¢) ecomyster (0) none of these ____ are. spec category of protected areas where plants and arias are preserved thei natura Peat. (G) National Pars (b) Bosphere Reserves (0) Wiklife Sancrsares (4) Zoos a soll forrad by tho waatherig of vakanie rocks. (oy Red (0) Mountan (©) taterte (a) tae VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS; 1, Layer made of arganic and Inorganic mattar over the Earth's crust bs call Fall in productivity of land is callad enadorVenradation, Select the correct pion. 3. People usualy prefer to Ive in plains cr tive valleys as the land and ciate So Suh areas is more suabie for ving and ‘arming. true oF false? 4. Controlled grazing can help conserve sof/land/wter Selec the correct ation, Sali the mast terse soa ‘Sol determines the agrcuftural actwEy in a region, True or fase? s 6 7. Te tales huncres of years for jist e 3 centimetre thick layer so to form. 1s the chief reason for degradation of soi. ‘Sheter bets/check dams comprise rocks piled together to prmvent sol from geting evaded by running water. Select the enmrect opten. 20. Water from oceans is not Mt for use as ts sallne/akaine, Set the correct option. 11. Excessive pumping of ground water for urbon Use has lowered the water table. Thue oF fale? 12. Sprniders hap redues las of water through 13, The distribution of wie depencts on and ans 14, Reclaiming waseiands & a way to conserve/degrade land. Selec the crrect option, SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: What ts deserticaton? 2 Why wot aiden an gona rescrea 3. What causes lard egradtion? Mow can land dogracation be controad? 4, What factors determine theckress of soil? 5. What are shelter bets 4 Lome suswen quesToons: Olsass the factors thst fefuence snl formation, we bake a sce of sof, what layers wll we ‘tna? 2 Suggest five measures to conserve, () Wor (W) Land (i) Sot 3. The darbuton of water highly uneven. Do you agree? Explan your answer. Als mencor he factora wher affect the destriution of water 4. Mow are ratural vegetation and wile 2 resource? Can you mantion sme efferts made by governments to conserve natural vegetation ong wie? 5. Wene a short net: on types of sits. Q5 HOTS QUESTIONS (HIGHER ORDER THINKING SHELLS): 1. Solis a renewable ranuren. How i 30? 2. How do Natoral Parks, Wikfe Sarctuares and Biosphere Reserves help to protect vegetation and wife? Activities A. Classroom Activity With the Help of an atas, mark the fotowang on fn outine map of India () 5 widte Sanctuaries (i) 5 National Parks (u)_5 Mutt-Purpose Projects. (iv) States that practise terrace farming (¥) eas that experience high lve! of sll erosion Now answer the following questions; Name one Mult-Purpose Dam in north India ‘ama one Mut-Purpose Dam im south india Name one Wikife Sanctuary to east India Name one Nationa Park north India 18. Conversational Activity Human acy sto blame for the imbalance n water and land resources. Do you agree? Discus inthe dass . Exploration Activity Find out about landilides and how they are caused. Find out about Major landslides in India. Also find out how tanctstides can be managed. ©, Experiment/Profect Find out hom tard use pattern has changed in your neighbourhood (in the past 10 years. Collect photographs, Wt poauble, and make a presentation in your das