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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 – Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

Back Exercise

Question 1: Answer the following questions.
(i) Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?
(ii) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.
(iii) Why is land considered an important resource?
(iv) Name any two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals.
(v) Suggest three ways to conserve water.

Answers
(i) Temperature and rainfall are two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation. Rainfall contributes in breaking the rocks by applying pressure. Temperature fluctuations between hot and cold also form cracks in the rocks.

(ii) The two factors contributing to land degradation are Deforestation and the unsystematic and overuse of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural lands, floods landslides etc. Also the Ever growing demand of land for the growing population

(iii) Land is considered an important resource because it is being used by human beings for several purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses and roads, and setting up industries. Also, it provides habitation to a variety of flora and fauna. Hence, it is among the most important natural resources.

(iv)Two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals:
• It has set up national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for the protection of natural vegetation and wildlife.
• It has banned the killing of animals and cutting of trees.
• Various awareness programmes have been encouraged at the regional and the community level.
• It has prohibited the trade of the species of plants and animals protected under the international agreements CITES.

(v) Three ways in which water can be conserved:
• Rain-water harvesting
• Use of advance tools for irrigation.
• Prevention of wastage of water

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

Answers
(i) (b) soil texture
(ii) (c) terrace cultivation
(iii) (c) dispose polypacks after shopping

Question 3: Match the followings.

Answers

Question 4: State whether the given statement is true or false. If true, write the reasons.
(i) Ganga–Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region.
(ii) Water availability per person in India is declining.
(iii) Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement is called intercropping.
(iv) Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem.

Answers
(i) This statement is true.
Plains and river valleys offer suitable land for agriculture. Hence, these are densely-populated areas of the world.

(ii) This statement is true.
Though water is present in abundance, fresh water is a scarce resource. Water availability is a serious problem in many regions of the world. Due to the wastage of water, deforestation, and the pollution and depletion of fresh water reserves (such as rivers and ground water), the availability of water is fast declining.

(iii) This statement is false.
The described process is called shelter belts. Intercropping is the process in which different crops are grown in alternate rows, and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.

(iv) This statement is false.
Human interferences and climatic changes for the most part adversely affect the balance of the ecosystem.

Question 5: Activity.
Discuss some more reasons..................change over the years?

Answers
The answer may vary from student to student

In-Text Questions

Let’s do

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.

Answers
The answer may vary from student to student

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.

Answers
The answer may vary from student to student