Chapter 2  —  Resources and Development class 8

Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Class VIII  |  NCERT Geography  |  Story-Style Notes  |  classorb.com

The Day Four Friends Asked: Why Is Our World So Different?

To know, Land, soil, water, natural vegetation, and wildlife resources:- One afternoon, four friends sat together under a big tree in their school garden. They were Aarav from India, Lily from New Zealand, Priya from Tanzania, and Omar from West Africa. Their geography teacher, Mrs Sharma, had asked them one question: Why do people in different parts of the world live so differently?

Priya spoke first. She said, “Back in my village in Tanzania, my mother wakes up before sunrise every single day just to fetch water. She has to walk a very long way. When she comes back, we help with the goats. Our land is rocky, and even after working hard all year, we can barely grow enough maize and beans to feed ourselves.” Lily said, “That is so different from my home! My family runs a wool factory in New Zealand. My uncle looks after hundreds of sheep on wide green plains. We use modern machines, grow vegetables by organic farming, and never worry about water or food.”

Aarav said, “So the answer is land and water, is it not? The type of land you live on, the soil under your feet, the water you get — all of this decides how you live.”

Mrs. Sharma smiled and said, “Exactly, Aarav. Today we shall learn about these very things — land, soil, water, natural vegetation and wildlife. These are the most important natural resources on our planet. Let us begin.”

Land — The Ground Beneath Our Feet

What Aarav Learnt About Land

Aarav was always curious about land. He read that land covers only about thirty per cent of the total surface of the earth. The rest is water. And even out of that thirty per cent, not all land is good for living.

His teacher told him that ninety per cent of the world’s people live on only thirty per cent of the land area. The remaining land is either nearly empty or completely uninhabited.

Aarav asked, “Why do some places have so many people and others have nobody at all?” Mrs. Sharma explained that flat river valleys and plains are good for farming, so many people settle there. But rugged mountains, thick forests, and very dry deserts are difficult to live in.

How Land Is Used

Omar found out that land is used in many different ways — for growing crops, for building houses, for mining, for making roads, and for setting up factories. All of this together is called land use.

“Land use depends on physical factors like topography, soil, climate, minerals, and water supply. It also depends on human factors like population and technology,” said Mrs. Sharma.

Land can be owned privately by one person or family. It can also be owned by the whole community. Community lands are called common property resources. People use them to collect fodder, fruits, nuts, or medicinal herbs.

Land Is Being Destroyed

Priya said, “In my village, I have seen people cut down trees to build shops. The common grazing land is disappearing.” Mrs. Sharma nodded. “Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, and desertification are the major threats today.”

How Can We Save Land?

Lily asked, “So what can we do?” Mrs. Sharma said, “Afforestation — planting more trees — is one way. Land reclamation brings damaged land back to life. We also need to use fewer chemical pesticides and stop overgrazing by too many animals.”

A Closer Look: Landslides

A landslide is the mass movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. It often occurs due to heavy rainfall, earthquakes, floods, or volcanoes. A massive landslide hit Pangi village near Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, destroying a long stretch of the old Hindustan-Tibet road. Hundreds of people had to leave their homes.

Mitigation techniques include: hazard mapping to avoid risky areas, construction of retention walls, increasing vegetation cover, and surface drainage control to manage rainwater flow.

Soil — The Thin Blanket That Feeds Us All

What Is Soil?

Land, soil, water, natural vegetation, and wildlife resources. The Soil is one of the most important of them. It is a thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth. It is made up of organic matter, minerals, and weathered rocks. The right mix of minerals and organic matter makes the soil fertile.

Soil has four layers: (1) Top soil with humus and vegetation, (2) Sub-soil with sand, silt and clay, (3) Weathered rock material, (4) Parent rock at the bottom. It takes hundreds of years to make just one centimetre of soil. Factors of Soil Formation

The major factors of soil formation are the parent rock, climate, relief, flora, fauna, microorganisms, and time. Parent rock determines colour, texture, and mineral content. Climate — especially temperature and rainfall — influences the rate of weathering and humus formation. Relief determines the accumulation of soil. Flora, fauna, and microorganisms affect the rate of humus formation. Time determines the thickness of the soil profile.

Soil Degradation and Conservation

Omar said, “My grandfather says the land near our village was much better when he was young.” Mrs Sharma explained that soil erosion and depletion are major threats. Causes include deforestation, overgrazing, excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, rain wash, landslides, and floods.

Methods of soil conservation:

Mulching — covering bare ground with organic matter like straw to retain moisture.

Contour barriers — stones, grass and soil along contours to slow water flow.

Rock dam — rocks piled to slow water and prevent gullies from forming.

Terrace farming — flat steps cut into steep hillsides to reduce runoff and erosion.

Intercropping — different crops in alternate rows to protect soil from rain wash.

Contour ploughing — ploughing parallel to slope contours as a natural water barrier. Shelter belts — rows of trees in coastal and dry areas to check wind movement.

Water — The Precious Drop That Gives Life

Why Fresh Water Is Scarce

Water is one of the most important renewable natural resources on Earth. Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is covered with water — that is why it is called the water planet. But ocean water is salty and unfit for use. Fresh water accounts for only about 2.7 per cent of all water. Nearly 70 per cent of that is locked in ice sheets and glaciers. Only about 1 per cent of fresh water is available for human use.

Water is in constant motion through evaporation, precipitation, and run-off — this is known as the water cycle. Water can neither be added nor subtracted from the earth. Its total volume remains constant.

Problems of Water Availability

Most of Africa, West Asia, South Asia, parts of western USA, north-west Mexico, parts of South America, and entire Australia face shortages in fresh water supply. Water shortage is caused by variation in seasonal or annual precipitation, over-exploitation, and contamination of water sources.

In 1975, the consumption of water for human use was 3,850 cubic kilometres per year. It rose to more than 6,000 cubic kilometres per year in the year 2000.

Conservation of Water Resources

Steps to conserve water: (1) Treating effluents before releasing them into water bodies. (2) Forest and vegetation cover to slow runoff and replenish underground water. (3) Water harvesting to save surface runoff — one spell of rain for two hours is enough to save 8,000 litres of water. (4) Properly lined irrigation canals to minimise seepage. (5) Sprinklers to check water losses during irrigation.

Natural Vegetation and Wildlife — Our Living World

The Biosphere and Ecosystem

One weekend, all four friends visited an exhibition of natural products. They saw baskets made from cane and bamboo, a jute handbag, a silk scarf, and medicinal oils. Omar looked around in wonder. “I never thought about where all these everyday things come from,” he said.

Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere — called 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.

Plants provide timber, shelter for animals, oxygen, protection for soil, fruits, nuts, latex, gum, turpentine oil, and medicinal plants. Wildlife — animals, birds, insects, and aquatic life — provide milk, meat, hides, and wool. Bees pollinate flowers and produce honey. Birds and vultures act as decomposers and cleansers of the environment.

Distribution of Natural Vegetation

Vegetation depends on temperature and moisture. In heavy rainfall areas, huge forests grow. As moisture decreases, trees become smaller and grasslands form. In dry areas, thorny scrubs grow with deep roots and waxy leaves. In cold polar regions, only mosses and lichens (tundra vegetation) survive.

Conservation of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Deforestation, construction, forest fires, tsunamis, and landslides destroy natural habitats. Poaching — illegal hunting for hides, skins, horns, and feathers — pushes many species towards extinction. Animals like tiger, lion, elephant, rhinoceros, snow leopard, black buck, crocodile, and peacock are under serious threat.

Governments have created national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves. In India, killing lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards, and peacocks is illegal. The international convention CITES bans trade in endangered species — roughly 5,000 animal species and 28,000 plant species are protected.

The Four Friends Make a Promise

As the sun began to set, the four friends sat quietly. Each was thinking about what they had learnt. Priya thought about the rocky soil back home. Lily thought about millions of people with no clean water. Aarav thought about the forests disappearing from the hills. And Omar thought about the animals slowly vanishing near his village.

“We are all connected,” said Aarav softly. “The land Priya farms, the water Lily takes for granted, the forests Omar misses, the animals we all want to protect — it is all one system.” “And if we destroy any part of it, we destroy ourselves,” said Priya.

“That is exactly right,” said Mrs. Sharma. “The earth’s resources are not unlimited. We must use them wisely, conserve them carefully, and pass them on to those who come after us. That is our duty.”

Exercise Worksheet

MCQ  |  Fill in the Blanks  |  Short Answer  |  Long Answer  |  classorb.com  |  OM SIKARWAR

SECTION A — Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) of Land soil water natural vegetation and wildlife resources

Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

1. Land covers approximately _______ per cent of the total surface of the earth.
   • 10%
   • 30%
   • 50%
   • 70%

  ✔ Answer: (b)  30%

2. Which of the following areas is most suitable for agriculture and dense settlement?
   • Steep mountain slopes
   • Thick forested areas
   • River valleys and plains
   • Desert regions

  ✔ Answer: (c)  River valleys and plains

3. Community lands owned for common use are called:
   • Private land
   • Government land
   • Common property resources
   • Reserved forests

  ✔ Answer: (c)  Common property resources

4. Which of the following is NOT a factor of soil formation?
   • Time
   • Soil texture
   • Climate
   • Parent rock

  ✔ Answer: (b)  Soil texture

5. The thin layer of grainy material covering the earth’s surface is called:
   • Humus
   • Soil
   • Bedrock
   • Sand

  ✔ Answer: (b)  Soil

6. The breaking up and decay of rocks by temperature and frost is called:
   • Erosion
   • Weathering
   • Leaching
   • Sedimentation

  ✔ Answer: (b)  Weathering

7. Which soil conservation method covers bare ground with organic material?
   • Contour ploughing
   • Terrace farming
   • Mulching
   • Rock dam

  ✔ Answer: (c)  Mulching

8. The most appropriate method to check soil erosion on steep slopes is:
   • Shelter belts
   • Mulching
   • Terrace cultivation
   • Rock dam

  ✔ Answer: (c)  Terrace cultivation

9. Fresh water accounts for only about _______ per cent of all water on earth.
   • 2.7%
   • 10%
   • 30%
   • 70%

  ✔ Answer: (a)  2.7%

10. Nearly _______ per cent of fresh water is found in ice sheets and glaciers.
    • 30%
    • 50%
    • 70%
    • 90%

  ✔ Answer: (c)  70%

11. Water can neither be added nor subtracted from the earth. Its total volume remains:
    • Decreasing
    • Increasing
    • Constant
    • Variable

  ✔ Answer: (c)  Constant

12. Which of the following is NOT in favour of conservation of nature?
    • Switch off the bulb when not in use
    • Close the tap immediately after using
    • Dispose polypacks after shopping
    • Plant more trees

  ✔ Answer: (c)  Dispose polypacks after shopping

13. The narrow zone where lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere meet is called:
    • Ecosystem
    • Biosphere
    • Habitat
    • Food chain

  ✔ Answer: (b)  Biosphere

14. The life-supporting system where all living beings are interdependent is called:
    • Food web
    • Ecosystem
    • Biome
    • Habitat

  ✔ Answer: (b)  Ecosystem

15. Tundra vegetation in cold polar regions consists mainly of:
    • Tall trees and shrubs
    • Mosses and lichens
    • Thorny cacti
    • Bamboo and jute

  ✔ Answer: (b)  Mosses and lichens

16. Which is a major threat to natural vegetation and wildlife?
    • Afforestation
    • Deforestation
    • Building national parks
    • Rainwater harvesting

  ✔ Answer: (b)  Deforestation

17. CITES aims to protect wild animals and plants from:
    • Climate change
    • Hunting for food
    • International trade
    • Natural disasters

  ✔ Answer: (c)  International trade

18. Which animal is described as a vital cleanser of the environment?
    • Tiger
    • Peacock
    • Vulture
    • Elephant

  ✔ Answer: (c)  Vulture

19. Rock dams are used to:
    • Store water for drinking
    • Slow down water flow to prevent soil loss
    • Provide shelter to animals
    • Irrigate fields

  ✔ Answer: (b)  Slow down water flow to prevent soil loss

20. Rows of trees planted in coastal and dry areas to check wind movement are called:
    • Intercropping
    • Contour ploughing
    • Shelter belts
    • Terrace farming

  ✔ Answer: (c)  Shelter belts

SECTION B — Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct word or phrase.

1. Land covers only about _______ per cent of the total area of the earth’s surface. ✔ Answer: thirty (30)
2. Ninety per cent of the world population occupies only _______ per cent of land area. ✔ Answer: thirty (30)
3. Land used for agriculture, mining, building and industries is termed as _______. ✔ Answer: land use
4. Community lands used for collecting fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs are called _______. ✔ Answer: common property resources
5. The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth is called _______. ✔ Answer: soil
6. The organic matter deposited on the top layer of the soil is called _______. ✔ Answer: humus
7. The breaking up and decay of rocks by temperature changes, frost action, and plants is known as _______. ✔ Answer: weathering
8. It takes _______ of years to make just one centimetre of soil. ✔ Answer: hundreds
9. Covering the bare ground between plants with organic matter like straw is called _______. ✔ Answer: mulching
10. Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a natural barrier is called _______. ✔ Answer: contour ploughing
11. Water is a vital _______ natural resource.
    • Answer: renewable
12. Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is covered with water, which is why earth is called the ‘_______’. ✔ Answer: water planet
13. Fresh water accounts for only about _______ per cent of all water on earth.✔ Answer: 2.7
    14. Only _______ per cent of fresh water is available and fit for human use. ✔ Answer: one (1)
    15. The constant movement of water through evaporation, precipitation and run-off is called the _______. ✔ Answer: water cycle
    16. Natural vegetation and wildlife exist in the narrow zone called the _______, where land, water, and air meet.
    ✔ Answer: biosphere
    17. The life-supporting system in the biosphere where all living beings are inter-related is called the _______. ✔ Answer: ecosystem
    18. In the eastern and north-eastern humid regions of India, _______ grows in plenty. ✔ Answer: bamboo
    19. Silk is obtained from silk worms that are bred on _______ trees. ✔ Answer: Mulberry
    20. The international convention _______ lists several species of animals and birds in which trade is prohibited.
    ✔ Answer: CITES
    21. Land degradation, _______, soil erosion, and desertification are major threats to the environment. ✔ Answer: landslides
    22. Broad flat steps made on steep slopes to grow crops are called _______. ✔ Answer: terrace farming
    23. A dripping tap wastes _______ litres of water in a year. ✔ Answer: 1200
    24. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and _______ are made to protect natural vegetation and wildlife. ✔ Answer: biosphere reserves
    25. The movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope is called a _______.
    ✔ Answer: landslide

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