NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science - Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED
 

In-text Questions Table 2.1. Land use in selected countries

Study the table given and answer the following:
 (i) Name the countries having the highest percentage of land under cropland, forest, pasture and other uses.
 (ii) How would you relate the land use patterns of these countries with the probable economic activities?
 Ans. (i) The countries with the highest use of land under cropland, forest, pasture and other uses are as under:
Cropland: India (57%)
Forest: Japan (67%)
Pasture: Australia (56%)
Other Uses: Canada (52%)
(ii) The land use pattern of these areas affects the economic activities of these countries in the sense that people and their demands are ever growing but availability of land is limited. Similarly the quality of land is also different from one place to the other. Consequently the common lands are being encroached by people for the purpose of building up commercial areas, and housing complexes in the urban areas. It is also done in the rural areas in order to expand the agricultural land. It also affects the social culture.
 

Q.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.
 Ans.(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) Reasons for land degradation are:
(a) Ever growing demand of the growing population
(b) Destruction of forest cover (iii) Land is an important resource because it provides surface for agriculture, living, forestry, industries, construction, etc. Most activities take place on land.
(iv) Steps taken by the government include establishment of natural parks and wildlife sanctuaries in different parts of India. Their purpose is conservation of vegetation and wildlife, respectively.
(v) Three ways to conserve water are as under:
(a) Rainwater harvesting: It is a method of collecting water while it rains so that it may come of use in the future.
(b) The canals used for irrigation should be properly built so that loss of water does not take place while the water is transported to the field.
(c) In dry regions, drip or trickle irrigation is suggested.
 

Q.2. Chose 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 

Ans. (i) (b), (ii) (c), (iii) (c).
 

Q.3. Match the followings:

Ans. (i) (c), (ii) (d), (iii) (a), (iv) (b).
 

Q.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.
 Ans. (i) True, (ii) True, (iii) False, (iv) True.