JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter  2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

JAC Class 8th Geography Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources InText Questions and Answers

Page 7

Question 1.
Observe the land, type of soil and water availability in the region you live. Discuss in your class, how it has influenced the lifestyle of people there.
Answer:
Students need to answer on thier own according to the places they live.

Page 8

Question 2.
Talk to some elderly person in your family or neighbourhood and collect information about changes in the land use over the years, in the place where you live. Display your findings on a bulletin board in your classroom.
Answer:
Findings:
JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources 1

Page 12

Question 3.
In India soils could be alluvial, black, red, laterite, desertic and mountain soil. Collect a handful of different types of soil and observe. How are they different?
Answer:
Alluvial soil are the fine-grained soil which are formed by river and it is very fertile. The colour of the soil is grey. It is found from Punjab to Assam and West Bengal. Also found in deltas in the rivers such as Krishna, Mahanadi etc. Black soil is found in central, southern and western state in India. It is a black coloured soil, very fertile and suitable for the growth of cotton crops. It is formed by the volcanic eruptions.

Red soil is made of old crystalline rock. It is red in colour because the soil contains iron. It is found in states such as Tamil Nadu, southern Karnataka, north-eastern Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Laterite soil are found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam. This type of soil is less fertile.

It is formed in wet and hot tropical areas and soil is rich in aluminum and iron. Desert soil is formed from arid condition with very less rainfall hence also known as arid soil. The colour of the soil is red to brown. It is sandy and alkaline due to less moisture and found in Thar desert, Rajasthan. Mountain soil is the infertile soil and very thin. It is found on the hill slopes. The soils occupy about XA 0f the total land area of India.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Page 13

Question 4.
Take two trays A and B of same size. Make six holes at one end of these trays and then fill them with the same amount of soil. Leave the soil in tray A bare while sow wheat or rice grains in tray B. When the grain in tray B has grown a few centimetres high, place both the trays in such a way that they are on a slope. Pour one mug of water from the same height into each tray. Collect the muddy water that trickles down the holes of both trays in two separate containers and compare how much soil is washed out of each tray?
JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources 2
Answer:
From tray A, more soil is washed out whereas from tray B less soil is washed out because the soil layer is covered with grass.

Page 14

Question 5.
An average urban Indian uses about 150 litres of water every day

UseLitres per person per day
Drinking3
Cooking4
Bathing20
Flushing40
Washing clothes40
Washing utensils20
Gardening23
Total150

Can you suggest some ways to bring down this amount?
Answer:
We should try not to waste water and use it judiciously. Some ways are:

  1. Water used for washing vegetables can be used in gardening.
  2. We should use bucket and mug while bathing instead of shower.
  3. Water used for washing utensils and clothes can be used in toilet.

Page 18

Question 6.
Read the news item and find out how fire started in California? Could it be avoided?
Answer:
The winds can push a fire the length of a football field in a minute, said Scott McLean, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Call Fire. And the hundreds of members pushed in front of the fires become small spot fires themselves, he said. High winds also dissipate fire retardant dropped by aircraft, McLean said. The Diablo winds caused the same problems in Northern California in October. California’s deadly wildfires have a straightforward solution, experts say: stop building homes in places that are likely to bum- and make homes that already exist in those areas a whole lot tougher.

JAC Class 8th Geography Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Answer the following questions.

(i) Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?
Answer:
The two main climatic factors which are responsible for soil formation are:

  1. Temperature – The fluctuations in temperature between hot and cold forms cracks in the rocks.
  2. Rainfall – By applying pressure it contributes in breaking the rocks.

(ii) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.
Answer:
Two reasons for land degradation today are:

  1. Deforestation – Destruction of forest region.
  2. Due to growing population, demands are growing rapidly. It leads to excess use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

(iii) Why is land considered an important resource?
Answer:
Land is considered as an important resource because most activities and works are done on land. It provides us to do farming, living, forestry, industries, etc.

(iv) Name any two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals.
Answer:
Two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals are:

  1. Awareness programs such as Vanamahotasava and social forestry are encouraged and endorsed at the community and regional level.
  2. Establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves and national parks in different parts of the country to conserve the vegetation and wildlife.

(v) Suggest three ways to conserve water.
Answer:
Three ways to conserve water are:

  1. Drip or trickle irrigation should be used in dry regions. Also in irrigation process, canals should be built properly so that water is not wasted.
  2. Rainwater harvesting should be implemented. It is a process of collecting water and storing it when it rains and can used in future.
  3. Water wastage should be minimised. We can use the water used in washing vegetables for gardening and likewise.

Tick the correct answer.

Question 2:
(i) Which one of the following is NOT a factor of soil formation?
(a) time
(b) soil texture
(c) organic matter
Answer:
(b) soil texture

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

(ii) Which one of the following methods is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep slopes?
(a) shelter belts
(b) mulching
(c) terrace cultivation
Answer:
(c) terrace cultivation

(iii) 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 polypacks after shopping
Answer:
(c) dispose polypacks after shopping

Match the followings:

Question 3.

(i) Land use(a) prevent soil erosion
(ii) Humus(b) narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
(iii) Rock dams(c) productive use of land
(iv) Biosphere(d) organic matter deposited on top soil
(e) contour ploughing(a) prevent soil erosion

Answer:

(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) Biosphere(b) narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
(e) contour ploughing(c) productive use of land

Question 4.
State whether the given statement is true or false. If true, write the reasons.

  1. Ganga-Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region.
  2. Water availability per person in India is declining.
  3. Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement is called intercropping.
  4. Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem.

Answer:

  1. True. Land is very fertile and suitable for cultivation and habitat.
  2. True. There is lot of wastage and also drying up of water resources due to water pollution. Also due to growth in population, the demand of water also increased which reduces the fresh water reserves.
  3. False
  4. False

Question 5.
Activity
(i) Discuss some more reasons which are responsible for changes of land use pattern. Has your place undergone any change in the land use pattern in recent years?
Answer:
Land use pattern in recent years have changed which has been reflected in the changing activities of the people such as building up of industries and markets, housing complexes in urban areas and expanding agricultural lands in rural areas. The main factor responsible for such change in land use pattern is mainly due to the rising needs and demands of the people. Other factors are urbanisation, population increase and demand for food, changes in the living standard etc.

(ii) Find out from your parents and elderly people. You can conduct an interview by asking the following questions given in the book in the form of table. Why do you think that land use patterns change over the years?
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.

JAC Class 8th Geography  Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Which of the following sentence is true about land?
(a) Low-lying areas are susceptible to water logging.
(b) Thick forested areas are normally densely populated by humans.
(c) Plains and river valleys are sparsely populated as they offer land suitable for agriculture.
(d) About 70% of the area of the earth’s surface is covered with land.
Answer:
(d) About 70% of the area of the earth’s surface is covered with land.

Question 2.
The human factors that determine the patterns of land use are…….
(a) population and technology.
(b) geographic shapes and atmosphere.
(c) atmosphere and population.
(d) time and technology.
Answer:
(c) atmosphere and population.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Question 3.
Community land also known as…….
(a) Common property resources.
(b) Personal property resources.
(c) Group property resources.
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Common property resources.

Question 4.
Which one of the following is not a method used to conserve land?
(a) Aforestation
(b) Land reclamation
(c) Regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilisers
(d) Increased use of fossil fuels
Answer:
(d) Increased use of fossil fuels

Question 5.
The natural phenomena which triggers landslides are ……
(a) floods
(b) earthquakes
(c) volcanoes
(d) all of these
Answer:
(d) all of these

Question 6.
The breaking up and decay of exposed rocks, by temperature changes, frost action, plants, animals and man are called as .
(a) Articulating
(c) Weathering
(b) Recycling
(d) Feathering
Answer:
(c) Weathering

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Question 7.
The following method/s are used to conserve soil is/are
(a) mulching and intercropping.
(b) terrace farming and contour ploughing.
(c) shelter belts and rock dams.
(d) all of these
Answer:
(d) all of these

Question 8.
The cause/s of the contamination of water is/are
(a) treatment of effluents before discharging them into bodies of water.
(b) discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and industrial effluents in bodies of water.
(c) fall in the number of industrial effluents entering bodies of water.
(d) building of canals that dispose effluent waste deep into the oceans.
Answer:
(b) discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and industrial effluents in bodies of water.

Question 9.
The growth of vegetation primarily depend on
(a) temperature and moisture.
(b) technology and temperature.
(c) technology and moisture.
(d) population and technology.
Answer:
(a) temperature and moisture.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Question 10.
The hunting of these animals is banned in India:
(a) lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards, and peacocks
(b) lions, tigers, dogs, great Indian bustards, and cats
(c) lions, tigers, fish, horses, and peacocks
(d) lions, tigers, giraffe, great Indian bustards, and peacocks
Answer:
(a) lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards, and peacocks

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Question 1.
Name the major threats to soil as a resource.
Answer:
The major threats to soil as a resource are soil erosion and depletion.

Question 2.
Which process of soil conservation is used in coastal and dry regions?
Answer:
Shelter belts are used for conservation of the soil in coastal and dry regions.

Question 3.
What is the percentage of fresh water which is fit for human use?
Answer:
Only 1 per cent of freshwater is available and fit for human use.

Question 4.
List the major types of vegetation in the world.
Answer:
The major types of vegetation in the world are forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra.

Question 5.
How the soil becomes fertile?
Answer:
The soil becomes fertile by the right mix of minerals and organic matter.

Question 6.
What do you mean by national parks?
Answer:
National park is a natural area designed and designated to protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations of animals and birds.

Question 7.
What do you mean by rainwater harvesting?
Answer:
Rainwater harvesting is the method of collecting rainwater from roof tops and directing or passing it to an appropriate location and storing if for future use.

Question 8.
What do you mean by intercropping?
Answer:
Intercropping is a multiple cropping practice or method in which different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Question 9.
What do you understand by the term biosphere?
Answer:
Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere is known as biosphere.

Question 10.
What is ecosystem?
Answer:
In the biosphere, the life supporting system is known as the ecosystem where the living beings are interrelated and interdependent on each other for survival.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Land is considered as an important resource. Why?
Answer:
Land is used for different purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries. Hence, the land is considered as an important resource.

Question 2.
Name the areas which are sparsely populated or uninhabited?
Answer:
The areas which are sparsely populated or uninhabited are the rugged topography, steep slopes of the mountains, low- lying areas susceptible to water logging, desert areas, and thick forested areas.

Question 3.
What are the possible reasons for water shortage?
Answer:
The possible reason for water shortage may be the outcome of variation in seasonal or annual precipitation or rainfall or can be caused by overexploitation and contamination of water sources.

Question 4.
List the major causes affecting soil formation.
Answer:
The major causes affecting soil formation are the nature of the parent rock and climatic factors. Other causes and factors are the topography, role of organic material and time taken for the composition of soil formation.

Question 5.
What do you mean by landslides and how do they occur?
Answer:
Landslides are defined as the mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope. They often take place in conjunction and concurrence with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. A prolonged spell of rainfall can cause heavy landslide that can block the flow of river for quite some time. The formation of river blocks can cause havoc to the settlements downstream on its bursting.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Question 6.
In India, per person water availability is declining. Why is it happening?
Answer:
In India, per person water availability is declining due to increasing population, rising demands for food and cash crops, increasing urbanisation and rising standards of living. These are the major causes leading to scarcity in supply of fresh water either due to drying up of water sources or water pollution.

Question 7.
Distinguish between tropical forests and deciduous forests.
Answer:

Tropical ForestsDeciduous Forests
Tropical forests do not shed their leaves simultaneously in any season of the year.Deciduous forests shed their leaves in a particular season to conserve loss of moisture through transpiration.
These are also known as evergreen forests. Conifers, Eucalyptus ytrees are found here.Maple, Aspen, elm are some of the trees found here.

Question 8.
Do you think rainfall affect vegetation? If yes, how?
Answer:
In areas of heavy rainfall, huge trees may thrive and grow. Thus, the forests are associated with areas having abundant water supply. As the amount of moisture decreases the size of trees and their density reduces. In the areas of moderate rainfall short stunted trees and grasses grow forming the grasslands of the world. In dry areas of low rainfall, thorny shrubs and scrubs grow. In such areas plants have deep roots and leaves have thorny and waxy surface to reduce loss of moisture by transpiration. So we can say that rainfall affect the vegetation.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question 1.
“Vegetation and wildlife are valuable resources.” Describe in brief.
Answer:
“Vegetation and wildlife are valuable resources.” The following points will describe it:

  1. Plants provide us with food for animals and insects, give shelter to animals.
  2. It produces oxygen we breathe, gives us timber.
  3. It protects soils so essential for growing crops, act as shelter belts.
  4. Help in storage of underground water, give us fruits, nuts, latex, turpentine oil, gum, medicinal plants and paper.
  5. Wildlife includes animals, birds, insects as well as the aquatic life forms. They provide us milk, meat, hides and wool.
  6. Insects like bees provide us honey, help in pollination of flowers and have an important role to play as decomposers in the ecosystem.
  7. The birds feed on insects and act as decomposers as well. Vulture due to its ability to feed on dead livestock is a scavenger and considered a vital cleanser of the environment.

Question 2.
Describe what are the threats exist in natural vegetation and wildlife?
Answer:
Threats that exist in natural vegetation and wildlife are:

  1. The loss of natural habitats for the plants and animals are due to changes of climate and human interferences.
  2. Many species have become vulnerable or endangered and some are on the verge of extinction.
  3. Some of the human made and natural factors which together accelerate the process of extinction of these great natural resources are deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami and landslides.
  4. One of the major issues is the increasing incidents of poaching that result in a sharp decline in the number of particular species.
  5. For self-interest, human beings are cutting precious trees which is also one of the major threats.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

→ Mamba and Peter stay in two different parts of the world and lead very different lives. This difference is because of the differences in the quality of land, soil, water, natural vegetation, animals and the usage of technology. The availability of such resources is the main reason places differ from each other.

→ Land:

  • One of the most important natural resources is Land.
  • Land covers only about thirty per cent of the total area of the earth’s surface and all parts of this small area are not habitable.
  • Due to varied characteristics of land and climate there is uneven distribution of population in different parts of the world.
  • Plains and river valleys are suitable land for agriculture. Hence, these are the densely populated areas of the world.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

→ Land Use:

  • Land is used for different causes and purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries.
  • Certain physical factors such as topography, soil, climate, minerals and availability of water determines the use of land.
  • Other important determinants of land use pattern are human factors such as population and technology.
  • Land can be divided into two categories on the basis of ownership as – private land and community land.
  • Private land is owned by individuals and community land is owned by the community for common uses like collection of fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs. The community lands are also known as common property resources.
  • The major threats to the environment because of the expansion of agriculture and construction activities and proceedings are land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, and desertification.

→ Conservation of Land Resource:
The common methods used to conserve land resources are afforestation, land reclamation, regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilisers and checks on overgrazing land.

→ Soil:

  • Soil is the thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth and it is very closely linked to land.
  • Category of soil is determined the landforms.
  • Organic matter, minerals and weathered rocks found on the earth forms the soil.
  • The right mix of minerals and organic matter make the soil fertile.

→ Factors of Soil Formation:
The nature of the parent rock and climatic factors are the major factors of soil formation. The topography, role of organic material and time taken for the composition of soil formation are the other factors. Though they all differ from place to place.

→ Degradation of Soil and Conservation Measures:

  • The major threats to soil are soil erosion and depletion.
  • Soil degradation happens due to deforestation, overgrazing, overuse of chemical feritilisers or pesticides, rain wash, landslides and floods.

→ Few methods of soil conservation are:

  • Mulching: The bare ground between plants is covered with a layer of organic matter like straw and it helps to retain soil moisture.
  • Contour barriers: Along contours, stones, grass, soil are used to build barriers. To collect water, trenches are made in front of the barriers.
  • Rock dam: Rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water and it prevents gullies and further soil loss.
  • Terrace farming: Terraces or broad flat steps are made on the steep slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow crops. This reduce the surface runoff and soil erosion.
  • Intercropping: Different types of crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.
  • Contour ploughing: To form a natural barrier, ploughing is done parallel to the contours of a hill slope for water to flow down the slope.
  • Shelter belts: Mainly in the coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are planted to check the wind movement to protect soil cover.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

→ Water:

  • Earth is also known as an ‘water planet’ because three-fourths of the earth’s surface is covered with water.
  • The ocean water is not fit for human consumption as it is saline.
  • Fresh water accounts for only about 2.7 per cent. In this 2.7 per cent, about 70 per cent of this occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and mountain regions and these are inaccessible due to their locations.
  • Only 1 per cent of freshwater is available and fit for human use. It is found in the form of ground water, as surface water in rivers and lakes and as water vapour in the atmosphere.
  • The most precious substance on earth is fresh water. Its total volume remains constant.
  • Humans use huge amounts of water for drinking, washing but also in the process of production.
  • The main reasons leading to shortages in supply of fresh water is either due to drying up of water sources or water pollution.

→ Problems of Water Availability:

  • Scarcity of water is present in many regions of the world. Mostly countries located in climatic zones are most susceptible to droughts, face great problems of water scarcity.
  • Water shortage may be a result of variation in seasonal or annual precipitation or by over-exploitation and contamination of water sources.

→ Conservation of Water Resources:

  • World is facing a major problem in accessing the clean and adequate water sources.
  • To conserve this valuable resource, steps need to be taken.
  • The major contaminants in waterbodies are the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage, agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents and pollute water with nitrates, metals and pesticides.
  • Water pollution can be controlled by treating these effluents suitably before releasing them in waterbodies.
  • Another method to save surface runoff is water harvesting.
  • Drip or trickle irrigation is very useful in dry regions with high rates of evaporation.

→ Natural Vegetation and Wildlife:

  • Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere and that is known as biosphere.
  • The life supporting system is called as the ecosystem. Here, living beings are inter-related and interdependent on each other for survival.
  • There are innumerable uses of plants. They provide us with timber, give shelter to animals, produce oxygen, protects soils essentials for growing crops, help in storage of underground water, give us fruits, nuts, latex, turpentine oil, gum, medicinal plants and the paper.
  • Animals big or small, all are integral and essential in maintaining balance in the ecosystem.
  • A vital cleanser of the environment are the vultures and considered as scavengers because they have the ability to feed on dead livestock.
  • Animals provide us milk, meat, hides and wool.
  • Bees and birds have an important role to play as decomposers in the ecosystem.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

→ Distribution of Natural Vegetation:

  • Temperature and moisture are the factors for the growth of vegetation.
  • The major vegetation types of the world are grouped as forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra.
  • In regions where heavy rainfall occurs, huge trees may thrive.
  • In the regions of moderate rainfall, short stunted trees and grasses grow forming the grasslands of the world.
  • In the regions of low rainfall, thorny shrubs and scrubs grow.
  • Tundra vegetation of cold Polar Regions comprise of mosses and lichens.
  • Population is growing in rapid way and to feed the growing numbers, large regions of forests have been cleared to grow crops. Forests are vanishing rapidly. An urgent need has come up to protect from destruction this valuable resource.

→ Conservation of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife:

  • Many species have become endangered and some are on the verge of extinction.
  • Some of the human and natural factors which gives momentum to the process of extinction of these resources are deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami and landslides.
  • Another major and important issue is poaching. The animals are poached for collection and illegal trade of hides, skins, nails, teeth, horns as well as feathers.
  • The animals which are poached are tiger, lion, elephant, deer, blackbuck, crocodile, rhinoceros, snow leopard, ostrich and peacock. We need to create awareness to conserve these animals.
  • To protect our natural vegetation and wildlife, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves are made.
  • Awareness programmes such as social forestry and Vanainohatasava should be encouraged at the regional and community level.
  • School children should also be encouraged to gain more knowledge about such awareness programs and try to conserve it.
  • Laws has been passed in many countries against the trade as well as killing of birds and animals. In India, killing lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards and peacocks is illegal.
  • Lists of several species of animals and birds in which trade is prohibited has been established by an international convention CITES.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes