CHAPTER 2 – LAND, SOIL, WATER, NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Q1- Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?

ANS-

  • Temperature
  • rainfall

Q 2- Write any two reasons for land degradation today.

ANS-

  • Deforestation 
  •  Indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in agriculture.

Q3- Why is land considered an important resource?

ANS-  Land is considered as an important resource because-

  • It provides habitation to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
  • Human beings use land for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses and roads, and setting up industries.

Q4- Name any two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals.

ANS- Two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals:

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

Q5- Suggest three ways to conserve water.

ANS- Three ways to conserve water:

  • Rain-water harvesting.
  • Lining irrigation canals to avoid seepage of water.
  • Replenishing ground water by promoting afforestation.

Tick the correct answer.

Q1- Which one of the following is NOT a factor of soil formation?

(a)time                                      (b)soil texture                            (c)organic matter

ANS- (b) Soil texture

Q2- Which one of the following methods is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep slopes?

(a) shelter belts                                   (b) mulching                                         (c) terrace cultivation

ANS- (c) Terrace cultivation

Q3- 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 poly bags after shopping

ANS- (c) Dispose poly bags after shopping

Q1- Match the followings.

(i) Land use                                           (a) Prevent soil erosion.

(ii) Humus                                             (b) Land suitable for agriculture.

(iii) Rock dams                                     (c) Productive use of land.

(iv) Arable land                                    (d) Organic matter deposited on top soil.

ANS-

(i) Land use                                           (c) Productive use of land.

 (ii) Humus                                            (d) Organic matter deposited on top soil.

(iii) Rock dams                                     (a) Prevent soil erosion.

(iv) Arable land                                    (b) Land suitable for agriculture.

Q1- State whether the given statement is true or false. If true, write the reasons.

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

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

Q2- Water availability per person in India is declining.

ANS- This statement is true. Though water is present in abundance, fresh water is a scarce resource. Due to the wastage of water, deforestation, and the increasing pollution. the availability of water is fast declining.

Q3- Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement is called intercropping.

ANS- This statement is false. The described process is called shelter belts. Inter cropping 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.

Q4- Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem.

ANS- This statement is false. Human interference and climatic changes for the most part adversely affect the balance of the ecosystem.