NCERT Explained: Class VIII Geography, Chapter 2 - Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Introduction to the Topic

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Class VIII Geography, Chapter 2. In our previous studies, we learned about what resources are, but in this chapter, we dive deep into the most fundamental natural resources that sustain life on Earth: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife. These five elements form the backbone of our existence, providing the food we eat, the water we drink, and the materials we use for shelter and industry.

Understanding these resources is crucial for several reasons. First, they are not distributed evenly across the globe. Some regions are blessed with fertile plains, while others struggle with barren deserts. Second, the rapid growth of the human population has put immense pressure on these resources, leading to degradation and scarcity. By studying this chapter, students will learn not only how these resources are formed and used but also how we can conserve them for future generations. This guide will break down the complex geographical processes into simple concepts, making it easy for you to excel in your exams and understand the world around you.

Key Concepts Explained

1. Land: The Base of Human Civilization

Land is among the most important natural resources, covering only about 30 percent of the total area of the Earth’s surface. However, not all of this land is habitable. The uneven distribution of population in different parts of the world is mainly due to varied characteristics of land and climate.

Land Use: Different parcels of land are used for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads, and setting up industries. This is commonly termed as Land Use. The use of land is determined by physical factors such as topography, soil, climate, minerals, and availability of water. Human factors such as population density and technology are also important determinants of land use patterns.

Private vs. Community Land: 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. Community lands are also called common property resources.

Land Degradation and Conservation: Expansion of agriculture and construction activities lead to land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, and desertification. To conserve land, we must focus on afforestation, land reclamation, regulated use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and checks on overgrazing.

2. Soil: The Living Layer

Soil is the thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth. It is closely linked to land. Landforms determine the type of soil. Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals, and weathered rocks found on the earth. This happens through the process of weathering.

Factors of Soil Formation:

• Parent Rock: Determines color, texture, chemical properties, mineral content, and permeability.
• Relief: Altitude and slope determine the accumulation of soil.
• Flora, Fauna, and Micro-organism: Affect the rate of humus formation.
• Climate: Temperature and rainfall influence the rate of weathering and humus formation.
• Time: Determines the thickness of the soil profile. It takes hundreds of years to make just one centimeter of soil!

Degradation of Soil and Conservation Measures:

Soil erosion and depletion are the major threats to soil as a resource. Both human and natural factors can lead to degradation. Some methods of soil conservation include:

• Mulching: The bare ground between plants is covered with a layer of organic matter like straw to retain soil moisture.
• Contour Barriers: Stones, grass, and 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, preventing gullies and further soil loss.
• Terrace Farming: Broad flat steps or terraces are made on steep slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow crops, reducing surface runoff and 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.
• Shelter Belts: In coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are planted to check the wind movement to protect soil cover.

3. Water: The Lifeblood of Earth

Water is a vital renewable natural resource. Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is covered with water. It is therefore appropriately called the ‘water planet’. However, ocean water is saline and not fit for human consumption. Freshwater accounts for only about 2.7 percent. Nearly 70 percent of this occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland, and mountain regions. Only 1 percent of freshwater is available and fit for human use.

Problems of Water Availability: There is water scarcity in many regions of the world. Most of Africa, West Asia, South Asia, parts of western USA, northwest Mexico, parts of South America, and entire Australia are facing shortages in fresh water supply. Water shortage may be a result of variation in seasonal or annual precipitation or the scarcity is caused by over-exploitation and contamination of water sources.

Conservation of Water Resources: Access to clean and adequate water sources is a major problem. Steps include:

• Treating effluents before releasing them into water bodies.
• Forest and other vegetation cover slow the surface runoff and replenish underground water.
• Rainwater harvesting is another method to save surface runoff.
• Using efficient irrigation methods like sprinklers and drip irrigation in dry regions.

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 inter-related and interdependent on each other for survival. This life-supporting system is known as the ecosystem.

Importance: Plants provide us with timber, give shelter to animals, produce oxygen, protect soils, and give us fruits, nuts, and latex. Wildlife includes animals, birds, insects, and aquatic life forms. They provide us meat, hides, and wool. Insects like bees help in pollination and act as decomposers in the ecosystem. Birds like vultures feed on dead livestock and act as scavengers, cleaning the environment.

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.

• Forests: In areas of heavy rainfall, huge trees thrive.
• Grasslands: In regions of moderate rainfall, short stunted trees and grasses grow.
• Scrubs: In dry areas of low rainfall, thorny shrubs and scrubs grow.
• Tundra: Vegetation of cold Polar Regions comprise mosses and lichens.

Conservation of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife: Changes of climate and human interference can cause the loss of natural habitats for plants and animals. Deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, and forest fires are some of the human and natural factors. Another major concern is the poaching of animals for their skin, nails, teeth, horns, and feathers.

To protect our natural wealth, governments have established National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves. Awareness programs like Vana Mahotsava are encouraged. International conventions like CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) have been established that list several species of animals and birds in which trade is prohibited.

Summary & Key Takeaways

This chapter teaches us that our planet's resources are interconnected and fragile. Here are the main points to remember:

• Land: Occupies 30% of Earth; use is determined by topography, climate, and human needs.
• Soil: Formed by weathering; conservation techniques like mulching and terrace farming are essential to prevent erosion.
• Water: Only 1% of freshwater is usable; conservation via rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation is vital.
• Natural Vegetation & Wildlife: Exist in the biosphere and maintain the ecosystem; they face threats from habitat loss and poaching.
• Conservation: National parks, international laws (CITES), and community awareness are the keys to preserving these resources for the future.