NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources
Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources – Given in this post is NCERT Solutions Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Important Question Answers. The important questions we have compiled will help the students to brush up on their knowledge about the subject. Students can practice Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 important questions to understand the subject better and improve their performance in the exam. The NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (Geography) provided here will also give students an idea about how to write the answers.
Source Based Questions
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow-
A. Land is among the most important natural resources. It covers only about thirty per cent of the total area of the earth’s surface and all parts of this small percentage are not habitable. The uneven distribution of population in different parts of the world is mainly due to varied characteristics of land and climate. The rugged topography, steep slopes of the mountains, low-lying areas susceptible to water logging, desert areas, thick forested areas are normally sparsely populated or uninhabited. Plains and river valleys offer suitable land for agriculture. Hence, these are the densely populated areas of the world.
1 What percentage of the total area of the Earth’s surface does land cover?
Ans. Land covers about thirty per cent of the total area of the earth’s surface and all parts of this small percentage are not habitable.
2 What is the cause of the uneven distribution of population in different parts of the world?
Ans. The uneven distribution of population in different parts of the world is mainly due to varied characteristics of land and climate.
3 What parts of the geography or nature are sparsely populated?
Ans. The rugged topography, steep slopes of the mountains, low-lying areas susceptible to water logging, desert areas, thick forested areas are normally sparsely populated or uninhabited.
4 ____________ and ___________ offer suitable land for agriculture.
Ans. Plains and river valleys offer suitable land for agriculture.
5 Name the predominantly populated areas of the world and why?
Ans. Plains and river valleys offer suitable land for agriculture and hence, these are the densely populated areas of the world.
B. Forests are our wealth. Plants give shelter to the animals and together they maintain the ecosystem. Changes of climate and human interference can cause the loss of natural habitats for the plants and animals. Many species have become vulnerable or endangered and some are on the verge of extinction. Deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami and landslides are some of the human and natural factors which accelerate the process of extinction of these resources. One of the major concerns is poaching which results in a sharp decline in the number of particular species.
1 ‘Forests are our wealth’. Explain
Ans. Forests are our wealth. Plants give shelter to the animals and together they maintain the ecosystem, hence maintaining the equilibrium in the environment.
2 What two things can cause loss of natural habitats for flora and fauna?
Ans. Changes of climate and human interference can cause the loss of natural habitats for the plants and animals.
3 What is poaching?
Ans. The illegal killing of wild animals is called poaching. Poaching results in a sharp decline in the number of particular species.
4 Name some factors that accelerate the process of extinction of natural resources.
Ans.Deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami and landslides are some of the human and natural factors which accelerate the process of extinction of these resources
5 Why have many species become vulnerable, extinct or endangered?
Ans. Changes of climate and human interference have caused the loss of natural habitats for the plants and animals. Many species have become vulnerable or endangered and some are on the verge of extinction. Poaching, deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami and landslides are some of the human and natural factors which have accelerated the process of extinction of these resources.
C. Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere that we call biosphere. In the biosphere living beings are interrelated and interdependent on each other for survival. This life supporting system is known as the ecosystem. Vegetation and wildlife are valuable resources. Plants provide us with timber, give shelter to animals, produce oxygen we breathe, protects soils so essential for growing crops, act as shelter belts, help in storage of underground water, give us fruits, nuts, latex, turpentine oil, gum, medicinal plants and also the paper that is so essential for your studies.
1 What do you mean by biosphere?
Ans. Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere that we call the biosphere. In the biosphere living beings are interrelated and interdependent on each other for survival
2 What does wildlife include?
Ans. Wildlife includes animals, birds, insects as well as the aquatic life forms.
3 ___________ and __________ are valuable resources.
Ans. Vegetation and wildlife are valuable resources.
4 List five things that plants provide us with.
Ans. Plants provide us with timber, give shelter to animals, produce oxygen we breathe, protect soils so essential for growing crops and act as shelter belts among other things.
5 Define the term ecosystem.
Ans. Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere that we call the biosphere. In the biosphere living beings are interrelated and interdependent on each other for survival. This life supporting system is known as the ecosystem.
D. Three- fourths of the earth’s surface is covered with water. It is therefore appropriately called the ‘water planet’. It was in the primitive oceans that life began almost 3.5 billion years back. Even today, the oceans cover two-thirds of the earth’s surface and support a rich variety of plant and animal life. The ocean water is however saline and not fit for human consumption. Fresh water accounts for only about 2.7 per cent. Nearly 70 percent of this occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and mountain regions. Due to their location they are inaccessible. Only 1 percent of freshwater is available and fit for human use.
1 Why is Earth called the ‘water planet’?
Ans. Three- fourths of the earth’s surface is covered with water. It is therefore appropriately called the ‘water planet’.
2 Oceans cover __________ of the Earth’s surface.
Ans. Oceans cover two- thirds of the Earth’s surface.
3 Why is most of the water on Earth inaccessible?
Ans. Most of the water on Earth occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and mountain regions. Due to their location they are inaccessible.
4 ___________ % of water is available and fit for human use.
Ans. 1% of freshwater is available and fit for human use.
5 What percentage of the water on Earth’s surface is inaccessible?
Ans. Nearly 70 percent of this occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and mountain regions which is inaccessible.
E. The use of land is determined by physical factors such as topography, soil, climate, minerals and availability of water. Human factors such as population and technology are also important determinants of land use patterns. Land can also be classified on the basis of ownership as – private land and community land. Private land is owned by individuals whereas, community land is owned by the community for common uses like collection of fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs. These community lands are also called common property resources.
1 What is Land use?
Ans. Land is used for different purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries. This is commonly termed as Land use.
2 How is the use of land determined?
Ans. The use of land is determined by physical factors such as topography, soil, climate, minerals and availability of water. Human factors such as population and technology are also important determinants of land use patterns.
3 Explain ‘private land’.
Ans. Private land is referred to as the land that is owned by individuals for their own personal use.
4 How is land classified?
Ans. Land is usually classified on the basis of ownership as – private land and community land.
5 What are common property resources?
Ans. The community lands are also called common property resources. Community land is owned by the community for common uses like collection of fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) (1 Mark)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are a type of objective assessment in which a person is asked to choose one or more correct answers from a list of available options. An MCQ presents a question along with several possible answers.
Q1 The type of soil is determined by
A) landforms
B) soil erosion
C) water sources
D) Globalization
Ans. A) landforms
Q2. As the exposed rock break off and start decaying due to temperature change, this process is called
A) Deforestation
B) Landslide
C) Soil erosion
D) Weathering
Ans. D) Weathering
Q3 Soil is made up of
A) water
B) metals
C) organic materials & rocks
D) ice
Ans. C) organic materials & rocks
Q4 Mass movement of rocks down the hills could be a sign of
A) Landslides
B) Floods
C) Deforestation
D) Weathering
Ans. A) Landslides
Q5 Which of the following states of India are notorious for witnessing maximum number of landslides
A) Punjab
B) Uttarakhand
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Jharkhand
Ans. B) Uttarakhand
Q6 How much time is taken to form 1 cm of soil
A) 10+ years
B) 5 years
C) 100s of year
D) few months
Ans. C) 100s of year
Q7 Which part of soil is fit for vegetation?
A) Subsoil
B) top soil
C) weathered rock material
D) clay soil
Ans. B) top soil
Q8 Overgrazing is responsible for causing
A) soil depletion
B) Floods
C) earthquake
D) landslide
Ans. A) soil depletion
Q9 Which of the following is used to conserve the soil?
A) Mulching
B) Clear the forest
C) agriculture process
D) cattle grazing
Ans. A) Mulching
Q10 The process of piling up of rocks to prevent water flow is called
A) Rock Dam
B) Erosion
C) Mulching
D) Landslide
Ans. A) Rock Dam
Q11 The moisture of soil can be retained by the process of
A) Counter Barriers
B) Mulching
C) Rock Dams
D) Planting grass
Ans. B) Mulching
Q12 A dripping tap is capable of wasting approximately how much water per year?
A) 2000 liters
B) 1200 liters
C) 1500 liters
D) 2500 liters
Ans. B) 1200 liters
Q13 The evaporation of water takes place due to ___________
A) Nitrogen Cycle
B) Water Cycle
C) Cooling of Ice
D) Floods
Ans. B) Water Cycle
Q14 The zone of earth’s atmosphere where life exists is called
A) Biosphere
B) Lithosphere
C) Hydrosphere
D) Troposphere
Ans. A) Biosphere
Q15 The life supporting system is known as
A) earth
B) biosphere
C) ecosystem
D) Vegetation
Ans. C) ecosystem
Q16 Which of the following animals are protected under CITES?
A) Monkey
B) Dolphins
C) Snakes
D) Rats
Ans. B) Dolphins
Q17 Low-lying areas are susceptible to
A) water logging
B) landslides
C) illegal mining
D) Weathering
Ans. A) water logging
Q18 ____ are normally sparsely populated.
A) thick forests
B) Gangetic plains
C) low-lying places
D) cultivable areas
Ans. A) thick forests
Q19 The average water consumption per person is ___ cu km/year
A) 5500
B) 6000
C) 6500
D) 5900
Ans. B) 6000
Q20 River Yamuna is getting polluted due to
A) industrial affluents
B) forests
C) weathering
D) trees cutting
Ans. A) industrial affluents
Q21 Rainwater harvesting is compulsory in the state of _____
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Haryana
C) Rajasthan
D) Assam
Ans. A) Tamil Nadu
Q22 Terrace farming method is common in ____ regions
A) forest
B) mountain
C) coastal
D) plains
Ans. B) mountain
Q23 ____ is one of the ways to prevent soil erosion.
A) Trees cutting
B) clearing of forest for agriculture
C) Contour plowing
D) building dams
Ans. C) Contour plowing
Q24 ____ is a major threat to the environment.
A) rainfall
B) sunlight
C) Desertification
D) tree plantation
Ans. C) Desertification
Q25 Heavy rains cause _____ in mountainous regions every year.
A) earthquake
B) tsunami
C) landslide
D) accident
Ans. C) landslide
Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
Q1. What is soil?
Ans. The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth is called soil.
Q2. Which country has the highest percentage of land under cropland?
Ans. India has the highest percentage of land under cropland.
Q3. What affects the rate of humus formation?
Ans. Flora, fauna and micro-organism affect the rate of humus formation.
Q4. Why is ocean water not fit for human consumption?
Ans. The ocean water is saline. Hence it is not fit for human consumption.
Q5. Which country has the highest percentage of land under pasture?
Ans. Australia
Q6. What percent of freshwater is fit for human use?
Ans. Only 1 percent of freshwater is available and fit for human use.
Q7. What makes the soil fertile?
Ans. The right mix of minerals and organic matter make the soil fertile.
Q8. What method of soil conservation is used in coastal and dry regions?
Ans. Shelter belts are used to protect the soil in coastal and dry regions.
Q9. Which country has the highest percentage of land under forest?
Ans. Japan
Q10. What are the major threats to soil as a resource?
Ans. Soil erosion and depletion are the major threats to soil as a resource.
Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)
Q1. What is the major cause of water pollution?
Ans. Discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage, agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents in water bodies are major contaminants. They pollute water with nitrates, metals and pesticides.
Q2. What are the major threats to the environment due to over exploitation of land resources?
Ans. Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, desertification are the major threats to the environment because of the expansion of agriculture and constructional activities.
Q3. What are the reasons for water shortage?
Ans. Water shortage may be a consequence of variation in seasonal or annual precipitation or the scarcity is caused by overexploitation and contamination of water sources.
Q4. How much land on Earth is inhabited?
Ans. Ninety per cent of the world population occupies only thirty per cent of land area. The remaining seventy per cent of the land is either sparsely populated or uninhabited.
Q5. Why is land considered an important resource?
Ans. Land is considered an important resource because it is used for different purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries.
Q6. What is intercropping?
Ans. A multiple cropping practice in which different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash is referred to as Intercropping.
Q7. How can we prevent surface runoff?
Ans. Forest and other vegetation cover slows the surface runoff and replenishes underground water. Water harvesting is one method to save surface runoff.
Q8. Write any two reasons for land degradation today?
Ans. Two reasons for land degradation in the modern world are Deforestation and Overuse of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
Q9. Why is the Ganga Brahmaputra plain of India an overpopulated region?
Ans. Ganga Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region due to the fact that it has even topography and highly fertile soil.
Q10. What is weathering?
Ans. Weathering is the process by which exposed rocks are broken up and decayed as a result of temperature variations, frost action, plants, animals, and man.
Long Answer Questions (5 marks)
Q1. Give a brief description of soil composition or the layers of soil ?
Ans. Soil is divided into four primary layers. They are as follows:
Horizon O
Horizon A
Horizon B
Horizon C
Horizon O denotes the upper layer of soil closest to the surface. It is frequently referred to as topsoil. Organic litter, such as fallen leaves and twigs, is included in this layer. The litter prevents erosion, stores moisture, and decays to generate humus, a very rich soil.
Horizon A is the stratum immediately beneath Horizon O. Because there is no litter in horizon A, there is much less humus. It is made up of subsoil that contains sand, silt, and clay.
Horizon B is lower than Horizon A. Horizon B is largely made up of weathered large rocks. The horizons above it are formed by this solid rock.
Horizon C can be found below and Horizon B consists of the parent rock.
Q2. Explain some mitigation techniques for landslides.
Ans. Scientific advancements have enabled us to understand what causes trigger landslides and how to manage them. The following are some general landslide mitigation techniques:
- Hazard mapping to identify landslide-prone locations. As a result, such places should be avoided for establishing settlements.
- Building a retention wall to keep the land from slipping.
- Increased plant cover to prevent landslides.
- Surface drainage control works to control the movement of landslides, as well as rain and spring flows.
Q3. Write a note on Conservation of water resources.
Ans. Access to sufficient and clean water sources is one of the most pressing concerns confronting the world today. To maintain this limited resource, action is required. Water is a renewable resource, but overuse and pollution render it unusable. The release of untreated or badly treated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and industrial effluents into bodies of water are all major contaminants. Metals, herbicides, and nitrates poison the water. The bulk of these chemicals are not biodegradable and enter human systems via water. Water pollution can be mitigated by adequately processing these effluents before releasing them into aquatic bodies. Tree and other plant cover minimizes surface runoff and refills groundwater. Water harvesting is another method of preventing surface runoff. Irrigation canals should be effectively lined to reduce losses from water seepage.) Sprinklers control water losses due to seepage and evaporation to properly irrigate the area. In dry places with high evaporation rates, drip or trickle irrigation is quite advantageous. As a result, employing these irrigation techniques can aid in the conservation of a valuable resource.
Q4. Write a few solutions that should be followed to protect the natural vegetation and wildlife.
Ans. Our most valuable resource is the forest. Animals seek refuge in plants, and their combined efforts help to protect the ecosystem. Climate change and human intervention can both lead to the loss of a plant’s or animal’s native habitat. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves are formed to protect our vegetation). To prevent the depletion of the precious resource, creeks, lakes, and wetlands must be conserved.
Social forestry and Vanamahotsava awareness programmes should be developed at the regional and community levels. School children should be encouraged to go bird watching and to nature camps in order to appreciate the habitat of varied species. Laws should be stronger, as in many other countries, and the environment should be balanced.
Q5. What is soil and what are some factors that are responsible for soil formation?
Ans. Soil: It is the uppermost layer of the Earth made of organic materials and inorganic minerals.
The following factors are responsible for soil formation:
- Sun: The sunlight falls on big rocks, causing them to expand and then condense at night. This causes the rocks to crack, resulting in the development of soil.
- Water: It seeps into sun-created fissures, and when it freezes, the rocks crack. This causes denudation of the rock surface and the formation of soil.
- Wind: Wind transports small particles of rock surfaces to various places that make up the soil.
- Living organisms: Lichens that create acids erode the rocky surface, forming microscopic particles that eventually decompose to form soil.
Q6. Write a short note on Land Use.
Ans. Land is utilized for a variety of reasons, including agriculture, forestry, mining, the construction of dwellings, roads, and the establishment of industries. This is referred to as land use. Physical elements such as topography, soil, climate, minerals, and water supply influence land usage. Human factors such as population and technology have a vital role in determining land use patterns.Property can also be divided into two types based on ownership: private property and community land. Individuals hold private land, whereas the community owns community land for common needs such as gathering fodder, fruits, nuts, or medicinal herbs.
These collective property resources are also known as communal lands.
People and their demands are always increasing, yet land availability is limited. Land quality varies from location to location. People began to encroach the common lands to set up commercial areas, housing complexes in the urban regions and to expand the agricultural land in the rural parts. Today, vast changes in land use patterns reflect cultural changes in our society. Land deterioration, landslides, soil erosion, and desertification are serious environmental risks as agriculture and construction operations expand.
Q7. Explain in detail some methods of soil conservation.
Ans. The following are some soil conservation methods:
- Mulching: A covering of organic materials, such as straw, is applied to the bare ground between plants. It aids in the retention of soil moisture.
- Contour barriers: Stones, grass, and soil are utilized to form barriers along contours. To collect water, trenches are built in front of the barriers.
- Rock dam: A rock dam is a structure made of rocks that is used to halt the flow of water. This avoids gullies and subsequent soil erosion.
- Terrace farming: Broad flat steps or terraces are built on steep slopes to provide flat surfaces for crop cultivation. They decrease runoff and soil erosion.
- Intercropping: To protect the soil from rain wash, various crops are planted in alternate rows and sewed at different times.
- Contour plowing: Plowing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to create a natural barrier for water to flow down the slope.
- Shelterbelts: In coastal and arid areas, rows of trees are planted to reduce wind movement and protect soil cover.
Q8. Write a short note on ‘Water as a natural resource’.
Ans. Water covers three-fourths of the earth’s surface. As a result, it is rightly referred to as the “water planet.” Life began nearly 3.5 billion years ago in the primeval waters. Even today, the oceans span two-thirds of the earth’s surface and provide habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal life. However, the ocean water is saline and unfit for human consumption. Freshwater accounts for only around 2.7% of the total. Almost 70% of this is due to ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland, and mountain regions. They are inaccessible due to their location. Only 1% of freshwater is available and fit for human consumption.
It can be found in the form of ground water, surface water in rivers and lakes, and water vapor in the atmosphere. As a result, fresh water is the most valuable commodity on the planet. Humans consume massive volumes of water not only for drinking and washing, but also for manufacturing. Other uses include water for agriculture, manufacturing, and generating energy through dam reservoirs. Increasing population, increased need for food and cash crops, rising urbanization, and rising living standards are the key causes contributing to fresh water shortages caused by drying up of water sources or water pollution.
Q9. Explain the distribution of natural vegetation.
Ans. The growth of plants is mostly determined by temperature and moisture. The world’s principal vegetation types are classified as forests, grasslands, scrublands, and tundra.
Huge trees may thrive in locations with a lot of rain. As a result, woods are associated with places with sufficient water supplies.
The size and density of trees diminish as the amount of moisture decreases.
Short, stunted trees and grasses flourish in areas with moderate rainfall, generating the world’s grasslands. Thorny bushes and shrubs thrive in low-rainfall environments.
Plants having deep roots and leaves with prickly and waxy surfaces minimize moisture loss through transpiration in such regions. Cold tundra vegetation Mosses and lichens are found in the polar regions.
There are considerably more people on the planet today than there were two centuries ago. Large sections of forest have been removed to cultivate crops in order to feed the rising population. The world’s forest cover is fast dwindling. Thus, this valuable resource must be conserved immediately.
Q10. How can we conserve water resources?
Ans. Access to safe and sufficient water sources is a crucial issue confronting the world today. Steps must be taken to protect this diminishing resource. Although water is a renewable resource, overuse and pollution have rendered it unfit for use. Water bodies are contaminated by the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and industrial effluents. Nitrates, metals, and pesticides damage the water.
The majority of these toxins are non-biodegradable and enter our bodies via water. Water pollution can be reduced by properly processing effluents before releasing them into bodies of water.
Surface runoff is slowed and subsurface water is replenished by forest and other vegetation cover. Another way for reducing surface runoff is water harvesting. Canals used for field irrigation should be appropriately lined to reduce water seepage losses.
Sprinklers effectively irrigate the area by reducing water loss due to seepage and evaporation. Drip or trickle irrigation is highly effective in dry areas with high evaporation rates. By using these irrigation methods, important water resources can be conserved.
Also See :
- Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources Important Questions and Answers
- Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Important Questions and Answers
- Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture Important Questions and Answers
- Class 8 Geography Chapter 4 Industries Important Questions and Answers
- Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 Human Resources Important Questions and Answers
Also See: