NCERT class 8 geography chapter 2

 Geography  Chapter  -2,  Land,Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation  and                                                                                 Wildlife 

 TEXTBOOK  QUESTIONS 


Exercises 1. Answer the following questions
 (i) Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation? 
Answer Temperature and rainfall are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation.
(ii) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.
 Answer -Deforestation and the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in agricultural lands are two factors contributing to land degradation.
(iii) Why is land considered an important resourc ?
Answer. Land is considered as an important resource as it provides habitation to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Also used by Human beings for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses and roads, and setting up industries.
(iv) Name any two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals.
Answer- Two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals:
 1) Government has set up national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for protecting natural vegetation and wildlife; for example, the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
 2) Government 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) Suggest three ways to conserve water. 
Answer: Three ways to conserve water:
 → Rain-water harvesting.
→ Lining irrigation canals to avoid seepage of water.
→ Replenishing ground water by promoting afforestation.
2. Tick the correct answer.
(i) Which one of the following is nota factor of soil formation?
(a) Time
(b) Soil texture
(c) Organic matter
 ► (b) Soil texture
 (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
 ► (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
 ► (c) Dispose polypacks after shopping
 4. State whether the given statements are 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) This statement is true. Plains and river valleys offer suitable land for agriculture. Hence, these are denselypopulated 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.

                                                    EXTRA QUESTIONS
Q1.What is soil? mention soil forming factors.

Ans-The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth is called soil.Parent  rocks,time,climate ,parent material, topography and organism are soil forming factors. 

Q2 Differentiate between national park and biosphere reserve.
Ans- National park: National parks  are declared for the purpose of protecting,  propagating or developing wildlife or its environment.Hunting and human activities are not allowed but permissible for tourism.
Biosphere Reserve: Biosphere reserves are the legally protected areas meant for the conservation of biodiversity. they are very  big protected areas and they may also have wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Q3.Mention the methods to prevent soil erosion? explain any two
Ans-Methods to prevent soil erosion:Mulching, terrace farming, inter cropping,contour ploughing,rock dams, and contour barriers.

Mulching: The bare ground between plants is covered with a layer of organic matter like straw. It helps to retain soil moisture.

   

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

Q4.What do you understand by landslide ?explain any two techniques to mitigate landslide in hilly  areas.
Ans -Landslides are simply defined as the mass movement of rock, debris 
two techniques are;
 a) Construction of retention wall to stop land from slipping.
 b)Increase in the vegetation cover to arrest  landslide
Q5. What is CITES?
Ans - CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Q6. What is land use?
Ans-}Land is used for different purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries. This is commonly termed as land use . 

Q7 . keywords/glossary
       1)Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at the Earth's surface, by the action of rainwater, extremes of temperature, and biological activity.
       2) National parks  are declared for the purpose of protecting,  propagating or developing wildlife or its environment.Hunting and human activities are not allowed but permissible for tourism.
        3)Ecosystem:it is a community or group of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment.in other words it is a life supporting system.
        Biosphere:}Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere that we call biosphere. 
       Rain water harvesting:}Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere that we call biosphere. 
   Q8 locate the Kaziranga national park in political map of India.   


located in Assam