Natural vegetation and Wildlife by Suman Pant, Faculty (Social Science)

2. Land, Soil, Water, Natural
Vegetation and Wildlife
Resources

3. LAND
Land is among the most important
natural resources.
It covers only about 30% of the total
area of the earth’s surface
Land use is the function of land – what
it is used for. Land is used for forestry,
mining, building houses, roads and
setting up of industries.

4. FACTORS INFLUENCEING LAND USE
i) Physical factor- It include
topography, soil, climate, water
and mineral resources.
ii)Economic and Human factor- It
includes total population,
industrialization, development.

6. SOIL RESOURCE
• The thin layer of grainy substance
covering the surface of the earth is
called soil.
• Soil is made up of organic matter,
minerals and weathered rocks found
on the earth.

9. SOIL EROSION
The top soil is washed out due to
running water, wind, glaciers, sea
waves, currents, etc. keep on
removing soil particles and
depositing them elsewhere. Such
high rate of removal of soil is
called soil erosion.

10. CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION
1. Deforestation : Deforestation means removal of trees and other vegetation
which hold the soil together. When vegetation is removed, the soil surface
becomes loose and can be more easily removed by running water and
wind.
2. Overgrazing of land : Overgrazing of land also leads to soil erosion. In
many parts of India, hill sides have become barren because of overgrazing
by goats and other animals.
3. Improper farming techniques : Ploughing fields in the traditional up and
down manner along the slopes makes it easier for running water and wind
to cause erosion.
4. Wind and rainfall : Rainfall dissolves the chemicals in the soil and
removes them to far off places. The soil gets depleted of fertile element.
The high velocity of wind also causes soil erosion.

12. METHODS TO CONSERVE SOIL
•Mulching:- The bare ground between plants is covered with a layer of
organic matter like straw. It helps to retain soil moisture.
•Contour barriers:- Stones, grass, soil are used to build barriers along
contours. Trenches are made in front of the barriers to collect water.
•Rock dam:- Rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water. This prevents
gullies and further soil loss.
•Terrace farming:- These are made on the steep slopes so that flat surfaces
are available to grow crops. They can reduce surface run-off and soil erosion.
•Intercropping:- Different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at
different times to protect the soil from rain wash.
•Contour ploughing:- Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to
form a natural barrier for water to flow down the slope.
•Shelter belts:- In the coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are planted to
check the wind movement to protect soil cover.

13. Mulching Contourbarriers Rockdam
Terracefarming Intercropping ContourPloughing
ShelterBelts

17. 1. Water is necessary for life on Earth.
2. Plants, including food crops, depend on water for growth. This
process is called irrigation.
3. Water is important for industries. Its main function is for
cooling.
4. Water is an important source of power. Devices in a
hydroelectric power plant convert the energy of flowing water
into electricity.
5. Water is used by people for transportation. Most trade with the
overseas countries is still done through shipping.
6. People also use water for recreation, such as boating, fishing
and swimming.

18. • Population growth
• Commercialisation of agriculture.
• Industrialization and urbanisation
• Variation in seasonal and annual
precipitation.
• Overutilisation and misuse of water.
• Pollution.

19. a) Surface run-off can be slowed
down by forest and other
vegetation cover to improve
underground storage.
b) Water can also be impounded
by making check dams.
c) Rainwater harvesting technique
should be used.
d) Sprinklers are very effective
and efficient tools of irrigation.
e) In dry regions, where the
evaporation rate is very high,
drip or trickle irrigation is very
useful.
f) Water is supplied to plant roots
through underground pipes.

21. In the biosphere living
beings are interrelated and
interdependent on each
other for survival. This life
supporting system is
known as the ecosystem.
Vegetation and wildlife are
valuable resources.
Natural vegetation refers to a plant community which
has grown naturally without human aid and has been left
undisturbed by human for a long time. Natural
vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of
contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and
atmosphere known as biosphere.

23. FOREST GRASSLAND
SHRUBS TUNDRA

25. • Evergreen forests do not shed their
leaves simultaneously in any season
of the year.
• Deciduous forests shed their leaves in a
particular season to conserve loss of
moisture through transpiration.

27. • Deforestation, soil erosion, constructional
activities, hunting, poaching, forest fires,
tsunami and landslides.
• The animals are poached for collection and
illegal trade of hides, skins, nails, teeth, horns as
well as feathers.

28. • National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere
reserves are made to protect our natural
vegetation and wildlife.
• Awareness programmes like social forestry
and Vanamohatasava.
• Strict laws to check poaching should be
formulated.