Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Question Answers - Resources and Development

Q1: Which method is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep slopes?
Ans: errace farming is the most appropriate method to check soil erosion on steep slopes.

Q2: How are forest classified on the basis of latitude?
Ans: Forests are classified as tropical or temperate based on their location in different latitudes.

Q3: How are vultures important to the environment?
Ans: Vulture due to its ability to feed on dead livestock is a scavenger and considered a vital cleanser of the environment.

Q4: What is national park?
Ans: National park is a natural area designated to protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations.

Q5: What is weathering?
Ans: Weathering is the breaking up and decay of exposed rocks, by temperature changes, frost action, plants, animals and man.

Q6: Why Ganga Brahmaputra plain of India is an over populated region?
Ans: Ganga Brahmaputra plain of India is an over populated region because it has even topography and highly fertile soil.

Q7: Why is fresh water the most precious substance on earth?
Ans: Fresh water is the most precious substance on earth because only 1 percent of freshwater is available and fit for human use.

Q8: Write any two reasons for land degradation today?
Ans: Reasons for land degradation are:

• Deforestation
• Overuse of chemical feritilisers or pesticides

Q9: How to prevent surface runoff?
Answer: Forest and other vegetation cover slow the surface runoff and replenish underground water. Water harvesting is another method to save surface runoff.

Q10: What is intercropping?
Ans: Intercropping is a multiple cropping practice in which different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.

Q11: What is biosphere?
Ans: Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere that we call biosphere.

Q12: What is termed as 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.

Q13: Which areas are sparsely populated or uninhabited?
Ans: The rugged topography, steep slopes of the mountains, low-lying areas susceptible to water logging, desert areas, and thick forested areas are normally sparsely populated or uninhabited.

Q14: What are the major threats to the environment due to over exploitation of land resources?
Ans: Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, desertification are the major threats to the environment because of the expansion of agriculture and constructional activities.

Q15: What is the major cause of water pollution?
Ans: Discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage, agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents in water bodies are major contaminants. They pollute water with nitrates, metals and pesticides.

Q16: What are the different types of soil found in India?
Ans: Different types of soil found in India are alluvial, black, red, laterite, desertic and mountain soil.

Q17: What is rain water harvesting?
Ans: Rain water harvesting is the process of collecting rain water from roof tops and directing it to an appropriate location and storing if for future use.

Q18: What has led to a large scale destruction of forest cover and arable land?
Ans: Growing population and their ever growing demand has led to a large scale destruction of forest cover and arable land.

Q19: Suggest one way to control water pollution.
Ans: Water pollution can be controlled by treating sewage, agricultural chemicals and industrial effluents suitably before releasing them in water bodies.

Q20: Why Earth is called water planet?
Ans: Water is a vital renewable natural resource. Three-fourth’s of the earth’s surface is covered with water. It is therefore appropriately called the ‘water planet’.