Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation And Wildlife Resources

The land, type of soil and water availability in the region influence the life style of people living there. They affect the economic activities of the people. In the region that we live, there are not enough open lands and soil is also not fertile. The water is available. Because of this, many people in my area work in service sector and very few people do agriculture or dairy farming.

(i) Cropland – India

Forest – Japan

Pasture – Australia

Other Uses – Canada

(ii)

(a) India is an agricultural country so most of its land is used for crop production or plantation.

(b) The mountainous land of Japan is covered mostly with forests. It has many wood processing industries.

(c) Australia has 56% of area in pastures; so the major economic activity is related to cattle rearing and dairy farming.

(d) Canada’s maximum land is covered mainly with coniferous forests. So the main industry is paper and pulp industry as its raw materials are easily available.

Land degradation is the result of excess agricultural and economic activities. Reasons for land degradation are:

a. Deforestation: Deforestation leaves the land more vulnerable to climatic conditions. It loosens the top soil which leads to increased land erosion.

b. Landslides: Landslides are both cause and effect of land degradation. Landslides result in erosion of top soil which leaves the lower levels of soil vulnerable.

c. Flood (Any two): Floods render huge patch of land waste. When floodwater enter into open areas or agricultural lands, it degrades the quality of soil.

In the face of various climatic changes, plants and animals have been most affected. Our government has taken various measures to conserve plants and animals.

a. Our government has constructed national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves to protect our natural vegetation and wildlife.

b. Awareness programs like social forestry and Vanamahotsava are encouraged at the regional and community level to educate people about how putting plants and animals into dangers disturbs the whole ecosystem and would in turn also impact humans.

Water degradation is one of the most urgent environmental problems that we are facing today. The ways to conserve water are:

i. The impurities of water should be treated before releasing them into water bodies.

ii. Rainwater harvesting should be done to save surface runoff.

iii. Wastage of water should be checked at home also. Wastewater of kitchen and washing can be used for gardens and toilets. Bucket bath should be done instead of using showers or bathtubs.

The two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation are:

a. Rainfall.

b. Temperature.

Temperature and rainfall affect the rate of weathering of rocks and humus.

Land is considered to be an important resource because:

a. It supports all kinds of living things including humans. It enables agriculture and plantations which gives humans and other species their food.

b. It is used for various needs of human beings, i.e, for constructing buildings, roads, railway lines etc.

Soil is formed irrespective of the texture of soil or rocks. However, if the soil is low in organic content, it might not be fit for agriculture or plantation.

Terrace farming decreases both erosion and surface run off. It is mostly used in hilly areas.

Plastic is non- biodegradable compound. Plastic produces toxic substances which lead to water and land degradation.

i. (c) ii. (d) iii (a) iv. (b)

i. Land use refers to productive and suitable use of land in a way that the health of the soil and land remains intact.

ii. Humus is formed by decomposition of leaves and other weathered plant parts by microorganisms found in the soil. Humus is deposited on the topmost layer of soil.

iii. Rock dams are built across a drainage way to collect the eroded sediments. Rock dams are temporary structures.

iv. arable land- the which is good for ploughing and have a good amount of minerals and carbonic compound.

i. True. It is because here the land very fertile and suitable for cultivation. People prefer to live in fertile areas since it offers lucrative economic benefits.

ii. True. Population of India is on the rise. The available water resources are drying up because of increase in temperature due to global warming. The available water resources are becoming polluted by human activities. All these reasons together results in decline of water fit for human consumption.

iii. False, it is called shelter-belt. Intercropping in growing a crop amongst different kinds of plants.

iv. False, it will deteriorate the ecosystem. Human activities and industrialization result in over use of natural resources like land and water and release in ecosystem harmful gases which disturb the natural balance of ecosystem.

There is a great change in the land-use pattern. The reasons are as under: