Go for social science -8

             Geography 

       Chapter - 2 

Land, soil, Water, Natural Vegetation And wildlife Resources

1. Choose the correct option:

(a) An area where many people live is said to be  

**(i) densely populated**

(b) Which of these factors is not a determinant in soil formation?  

**(ii) Ratio of organic and inorganic material**

(c) Farmers spread fine pieces of straw on the top of the soil. What is this kind of practice known as?  

**(iii) Mulching**

(d) Which of these is not provided by the trees?  

**(i) Honey**

(e) Which of these animal products are traded?  

**(iv) All of the above** (Bones, Teeth, Feathers)

(f) Which of these is a grassland area?  

**(i) Prairie**

(g) Evergreen trees  

**(iii) never shed leaves**

(h) Tundra vegetation is found in areas which have  

**(ii) very low temperature and little rainfall**

(i) Which of these is also known as a natural cleanser of the environment?  

**(ii) Vultures**

(j) Which of these vegetations are not found in Tundra regions?  

**(iv) Coniferous trees**

Here is the correct matching of the columns:

2. Match the columns. 

1. Solar energy  

   (a) Recycling  

   (i) Recycling

2. Afforestation  

   (f) Soil conservation  

   (vii) Van Mahotsava

3. Rocks  

   (b) Weathering  

   (iv) Helps in soil formation

4. Densely populated  

   (g) Ganga-Brahmaputra plains in India  

   (v) More people in an area

5. Leaching  

   (c) Heavy rainfall  

   (ii) Nutrient loss

6. Sparsely populated area  

   (d) Greenland  

   (vi) Less people in an area

7. Intercropping  

   (e) Prevents surface runoff  

   (iii) Legumes

3. Fill in the blanks. 

(a) Gobi desert is **sparsely** populated. 

(b) Velds in **South Africa** have rich mineral deposits. 

(c) This practice of removal of forest or trees to obtain land is known as **deforestation**. 

(d) In polar regions, the vegetation is limited to **mosses and lichens**. 

(e) Musk Deer is poached for **cosmetics**. 

(f) About **97.3** per cent of water present on Earth is in seas and oceans. 

(g) When the water vapour in the atmosphere becomes too heavy, they fall on the ground in the form of rainfall, and this phenomenon is known as **precipitation**. 

(h) This **water cycle** is also known as the hydrologic cycle. 

(i) In **Intercropping** type of farming, two or more crops are simultaneously cultivated on the same field.

**4. Differentiate between the following:**

**(a) Mulching and Terrace farming:**

- **Mulching:** Mulching involves covering the soil with organic or inorganic materials like straw, leaves, or plastic sheets to retain moisture, reduce erosion, and suppress weeds.

  

- **Terrace farming:** Terrace farming is a method of farming on hilly or mountainous terrains where steps (terraces) are carved into the slopes to create flat areas for cultivation, reducing soil erosion and surface runoff.

**(b) Intercropping and Shelter belts:**

- **Intercropping:** Intercropping involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field, often to maximize space, reduce pest damage, and improve soil fertility.

  

- **Shelter belts:** Shelter belts are rows of trees or shrubs planted to protect farmland from wind erosion, reduce evaporation, and create a more favorable microclimate for crops.

**(c) Afforestation and Deforestation:**

- **Afforestation:** Afforestation is the process of planting trees on land that has not been forested for a long time or has never been forested, aimed at increasing forest cover and combating climate change.

  

- **Deforestation:** Deforestation is the large-scale removal of trees from forests or wooded areas, often to make way for agricultural activities, urban development, or logging, leading to loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation.

**5. Put a (✔) mark if the statement is correct and (X) if incorrect:**

(a) Out of the total surface area of Earth, only 70 per cent is available for us to live.  

**(X)**

(b) Overgrazing of land by livestock also destroys the land.  

**(✔)**

(c) The organic material in the soil refers to the rocks and pebbles.  

**(X)**

(d) The slope of mountains has more vegetation than the valleys.  

**(X)**

(e) The vulture is regarded as the natural cleanser of the environment.  

**(✔)**

(f) Nearly 70 per cent of water on Earth is locked up as ice caps and glaciers in Equatorial region.  

**(X)**

(g) Mulching is done to stop animals from grazing.  

**(X)**

(h) Topography means terrain.  

**(✔)**

(i) Humus provides the reservoir of nutrients to plants.  

**(✔)**

(j) Velds is in South America.  

**(X)** 

**10. Short Answer Questions:**

(a) **Land use** refers to the way land is utilized by humans, such as for agriculture, forestry, urban development, or conservation.

(b) Steep mountain slopes have poor soil quality due to erosion, less organic material, and limited ability to retain water.

(c) Soil is made up of minerals, organic matter, air, and water.

(d) **Soil conservation** involves protecting soil from erosion and depletion to maintain its fertility and productivity.

(e) **Contour ploughing** is the practice of ploughing along the contours of the land to reduce soil erosion by water runoff.

(f) Trees provide oxygen, store carbon, prevent soil erosion, and support biodiversity.

(g) The Thar Desert vegetation includes drought-resistant shrubs, cacti, and grasses adapted to arid conditions.

(h) **Grasslands** are ecosystems dominated by grasses with few trees, found in regions with moderate rainfall.

(i) **Poaching** is the illegal hunting or capturing of wildlife. It is illegal because it threatens species with extinction and disrupts ecosystems.

(j) A **forest fire** is an uncontrolled fire that occurs in a forested area, often caused by natural or human factors.

(k) A **National Park** is a protected area for wildlife and natural habitats, with stricter regulations, while a **reserve** may allow more sustainable resource use by local communities.

(l) **CITES** stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Its aim is to ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of wild species.

**11. Long Answer Questions:**

(a) **Factors contributing to soil formation** include weathering of rocks, organic matter accumulation, climate, topography, and time.

(b) **Methods of soil conservation** include:

   - Terracing: creating stepped levels on slopes to reduce runoff.

   - Afforestation: planting trees to prevent soil erosion.

   - Crop rotation: alternating crops to maintain soil fertility.

(c) Despite abundant water, **water scarcity** occurs due to unequal distribution, overuse, pollution, and climate change reducing freshwater availability.