NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science (Geography) Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 8TH

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Class : 8th
Subject : Geography
Chapter : 2
Chapter Name : Land,Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Q1 Observe the land, type of soil and water availability in the region you live. Discuss in your
class, how it has in uenced the lifestyle of people there.

Answer. DIY

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Q1 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 ndings on a
bulletin board in your classroom

Answer. DIY

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Q1 It takes hundreds of years to make just one centimetre of soil.

Answer. DIY

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Q1 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

Answer. (i) Temperature and rainfall are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil
formation.
(ii) Deforestation and the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in
agricultural lands are two factors contributing to land degradation.
(iii) Land is among the most important natural resources. It provides habitation to a wide
variety of ora and fauna. Human beings use land for various purposes such as agriculture,
forestry, mining, building houses and roads, and setting up industries.
(iv) Two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals:

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(a) Has set up national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for protecting natural
vegetation and wildlife; for example, the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
(b) Has banned the killing of lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards and peacocks. It has also
prohibited the trade of the species of plants and animals protected under the international
agreement CITES.
(v)Three ways to conserve water:
(a) Rain-water harvesting
(b) Reducing wastage of water
(c) Replenishing ground water by promoting afforestation

Q2 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

Answer. (i)-(b)
(ii)- (c)
(iii)-(c)

Q3 Match the followings :
(i) Land use (a) prevent soil erosion
(ii) Humus (b) narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
(iii) Rock dams (c) productive use of land
(iv) Biosphere (d) organic matter deposited on top soil
(e) contour ploughing

Answer. (i)-(c)
(ii)-(d)
(iii)-(a)
(iv)-(b)

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Q4 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.

Answer. (i) Ganga−Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region.
This statement is true. Plains and river valleys offer suitable land for agriculture. Hence, these
are densely-populated areas of the world.
(ii) Water availability per person in India is declining.
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) Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement is called
intercropping.
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) Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem.
This statement is false. Human interferences and climatic changes for the most part adversely
affect the balance of the ecosystem.

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