NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Geography Chapter 2

LAND: Land is among the most important natural resources. It covers only about thirty per cent of the total area of the earth’s surface and all parts of this small percentage are not habitable.

LAND USE: 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. Land can also be divided on the basis of 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. These community lands are also called common property resources.

SOIL: Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals and weathered rocks found on the earth. This happens through the process of weathering. The right mix of minerals and organic matter make the soil fertile. The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth is called soil. It is closely linked to land. Landforms determine the type of soil. The major factors of soil formation are the nature of the parent rock and climatic factors. Other factors are the topography, role of organic material and time taken for the composition of soil formation. All these differ from place to place.

Temperature and rainfall are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation.

Deforestation and increasing use of chemicals (pesticides and fertilisers) in agricultural land are two factors responsible for land degradation.

Land provides habitation to a wide variety of plants and animals. It is also being used by human being for agriculture, mining, forest resources and building houses and roads. That is why, it is considered as an important resource.

The following two important steps taken by government are Government set up national park, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for protecting natural vegetation and wildlife. It has banned the killing of lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards and peacocks. It has prohibited the trade of the species of plants and animals protected under the international agreements CITES.

The suggestions for conserving waters are as follows: Rain water harvesting. Replenishing ground water by promoting afforestation. Reducing the wastage of water, making more aware the people.

(b) soil texture

(c) terrace cultivation

True. Reason: Plains and river valleys regions are always good for agriculture. So, these are densely populated areas of the world.

True Reason: Due to increase in population the demand of water and deforestation also increases which reduces the fresh water reserves (like rivers and ground water). So, the availability of water is being declining.

False Reason: Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas is called shelter belts. It protect the soil from rain washout.