LAND, SOIL WATER, NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILD LIFE - CLASS VIII GEOGRAPHY CHAPTER -2

LAND, SOIL, WATER, NATURAL VEGETATION, AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

1. LAND

• The land is among the most important natural resources. The land covers about 30% of the total area of the earth’s surface.
• The land is unevenly inhabited due to various factors of land and climate, water fertility of the soil, etc.

 Cause for the uneven population in certain parts are varied characteristics of the land and climate.

Areas that are sparsely populated or uninhabited	Densely populated areas
·         Rugged topography ·         Steep slopes of the mountains ·         Low-lying areas susceptible to water	Plains River valleys Mineral richness,  water resources, the fertility of soil and  good topography These are lands suitable for agriculture

Land uses:

• Land use refers to the use of land for different purpose such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads, and setting up of industries.
• Factors affecting land use are of two kinds- Physical factors and Human factors.

Physical factors include topography, soil, climate, and availability of water.

Human factors include population and technology.

• Based on ownership, land can be classified as private and community land.

Private land is owned by an individual or family member and is used for personal purposes like the house is private land.

Community land is owned by the community for common uses and can be used by anyone in the society like a collection of fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs. Another name for community lands is common property resources.

·         Even though people’s demands are ever-growing availability of land is limited thus leading people to encroach land to build commercial areas, shopping complexes in urban areas, and to expand agricultural land in rural areas. This expansion of agriculture and construction activities also lead to major threats like land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, and desertification.

Conservation of Land Resource

Ever Growing population and their growing demands lead to large scale destruction of forest cover and other natural resources. Meanwhile, given below are the common methods used to conserve land resources:

·         Afforestation

·         land reclamation

·         regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilizers

·         checks on overgrazing

2. SOIL

Soil - The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth and closely linked to the land

Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals and weathered rocks found on the earth through the process of weathering.

• Soil profile refers to the layered structure which spreads from the parent rocks to the topsoil surface.          

• In different geographic regions, different soils can be observed.

Factors of Soil Formation:

• The major factors of soil formation are the nature of the parent rock and climatic factors.

Landslides

The mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope is known as Landslides and it often takes place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes. Meanwhile, a prolonged spell of rainfall can also cause a landslide.

Factors of Soil Formation

• The nature of the parent rock
• Climatic factors
• Topography
• Role of organic material
• Time taken for the composition of soil formation

Degradation of Soil and Conservation Measures

Soil erosion and depletion are the major threats to the soil as a resource. Both human and natural factors can lead to the degradation of soils. Factors which lead to soil degradation are:

·         deforestation

·         overgrazing

·         overuse of chemical fertilizers or pesticides

·         rain wash

·         landslides and floods

Methods of soil conservation

·        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: Stones, grass, soil are used to build barriers along contours. Trenches are made in front of the barriers to collect water

·        Rock dam: Rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water and also help to prevent gullies and further soil loss

·        Terrace farming: Broad flat steps or terraces are made on the steep slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow crops, thus reducing surface runoff and soil erosion

·        Intercropping: Different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash

·        Contour ploughing: Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a natural barrier for water to flow down the slope

·        Shelterbelts: In the coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are planted to check the wind movement to protect soil cover

                 

3. WATER

• Water is a vital renewable natural resource. Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is covered with water. Therefore, it is called ‘water planet.
• Ocean water is saline and not fit for human consumption whereas freshwater accounts for only 2.7% of the total water available.
• Only 1% of this freshwater is available and fit for human use and is found as groundwater, rivers, lakes, etc.
• Freshwater is the most precious substance on earth. It can neither be added nor subtracted from the earth.
• Water is used for agriculture, industries, generating electricity through reservoirs of dams, etc.
• The major causes of water shortage are increasing population, resign demands for food and cash crops, increasing urbanization, and rising standards of living.
• Water is available through the water cycle, which is a constant movement from oceans to the atmosphere and back to the ocean through precipitation.
• Misuse and overexploitation led to the scarcity of water and judicial use by every individual is necessary.
• The government had water conservation laws and has made laws against the pollution of water. Proper implementation is the need of the hour. 

Problems of Water Availability

Most parts of the world are facing shortages in the freshwater supply. Countries located in climatic zones most susceptible to droughts face great problems of water scarcity. Thus, 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.

Conservation of Water Resources

To get access to clean and adequate water sources, steps have been taken to preserve this resource:

• Forest and other vegetation cover slows the surface runoff and replenishes underground water.
•  Water harvesting is another method to save the surface runoff
• The canals used for irrigating field should be properly lined
• Sprinklers effectively irrigate the area by checking water losses through seepage and evaporation
• In dry regions with high rates of evaporation, drip or trickle irrigation are very useful
• 3RS – REDUCE REUSE AND RECYCLE

4. NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE

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 e system is known as the ecosystem.

·  Plants provide us with timber, shelter to animals, produce oxygen, protect the soil for growing crops, act as shelterbelts, give us fruits and vegetable help in storage of underground water, etc.

• Wildlife includes animals, birds, insects, and aquatic life forms. They provide us milk, meat, hides, and wool, help in pollination of flowers, acts as decomposers in the ecosystem, etc.
• Natural vegetation is a renewable resource but its judicial use is a must, if not utilized in a proper manner it can lead to loss of life and furthermore calamities.

Distribution of Natural Vegetation

The growth of vegetation depends primarily on temperature and moisture. The major vegetation types of the world are grouped as forests, grasslands, scrubs, and tundra.

In areas of heavy rainfall- Huge trees thrive. Thus forests are thus associated with areas having abundant water supply.

In dry areas- Thorny shrubs and scrubs grow in low rainfall areas.

• Evergreen and deciduous are the types of forests depending upon when they shed their leaves.
• Trees of evergreen 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.

Conservation of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

• Forests are our wealth. Changes in climate and human interference can cause the loss of natural habitats for the plants and animals. Deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami, and landslides are some of the human and natural factors that accelerate the process of extinction of these resources.
• Poaching is one of the major concerns which results in a sharp decline in the number of particular species. The animals are poached for collection and illegal trade of hides, skins, nails, teeth, horns, and feathers. Due to indiscriminate killings, several birds and animals have either become extinct or are on the verge of extinction.
• National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves are made to protect our natural vegetation and wildlife. Conservation of creeks, lakes, and wetlands is necessary to save the precious resource from depletion
• Awareness programs like social forestry and Vanamohatasava are also established at the regional and community level. School children are also encouraged to bird watch and visit nature camps so that they appreciate the habitat of varied species. It is the ethical duty of every citizen to conserve plants and animals.
• Under Article 48A of the Indian constitution, forest conservation has made a directive principle

Meanwhile, an international convention CITES  (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) has been established that lists several species of animals and birds in which trade is prohibited