NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation & Wildlife Resources

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NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation & Wildlife Resources

NCERT Class 8 Geography

Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation & Wildlife Resources

Land

90% population on 30% area

70% land is uninhabited

30% of total earth surface is land

Desert, Forest, Water bodies, plains, rivers

Landuse: Use of land for various purposes - agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads

Determined by physical (soil, climate, water) & human (population & technology) factors

Land – Private or Community owned (Common Property Resources)

Threats: Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, desertification

Land Conservation

Afforestation

Land reclamation

Regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilizers

Checks on overgrazing

Landslide

Mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope

Pangi village near Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district, HP – damage to Hindustan-Tibet road, National Highway – 22

Mitigation

Hazard Mapping

Retention Wall

Increase Vegetation

Surface Drainage Control Work

Soil

Thin layer of grainy substance covering earth

Illustration: Soil
Illustration: Soil

Soil Conservation

Mulching: bare ground is covered with straw

Contour Barrier: Stone, grass barrier along contour

Rock Dam: Rocks piled to slow water flow

Terrace Farming

Intercropping

Contour Ploughing: Plough parallel to contours

Shelter Belt: Planted to check water movement

Water

Life began 3.5 billion years ago

2⟋3rd is water – ocean water is saline

Fresh water -2.7% (of this 70% as ice and glaciers; Only 1% fit for human use)

Total Volume of water on earth remains constant – neither added nor deleted – Water Cycle Operates

Illustration: Water

Water Shortage

Variation in seasonal or annual precipitation

Scarcity is caused by overexploitation

Contamination of water sources

Illustration: Water Shortage

Main Contaminants

Discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage

Agricultural chemicals

Industrial effluents in water bodies

Water Conservation

Afforestation

Rainwater Harvesting

Lining Canals to minimize water loss by seepage

Sprinklers

Drip Irrigation

Natural Vegetation & Wildlife

Occurs in narrow zone of biosphere

Ecosystem – Life supporting system

Plants – Food, Shelter, Timber, Oxygen, Shelter belts, Protect Soil

Wildlife – Milk, Hide, Wool, Meat

Vulture – Scavenger

Heavy Rain – Abundant trees

Dry areas – Thorny Shrubs

Forest – Evergreen or deciduous

Extinction of Natural Resources

Deforestation

Soil erosion

Constructional activities

Forest fires

Tsunami

Landslides

Poaching of Animals

Conservation of Natural Vegetation & Wildlife

National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves

Awareness programs like social forestry and Vanamohatasava

Laws on trades & poaching of birds and animals

International convention CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

CITES: Prohibit trade & see if it does not threaten the survival - 5,000 animal species & 28,000 plant species. Examples include bears, dolphins, cacti, corals, orchids & aloes

Manishika