Soil and Land

Importance of Land

• Land covers about 30% of the Earth’s surface, but much of it is mountains, deserts, or ice caps, making it unsuitable for human habitation.
• Uses of land:
• Agriculture (growing crops).
• Forestry (trees, timber).
• Grazing (livestock).
• Housing, industries, roads, and mining.
• Land is a basic natural resource that supports all human and economic activities.

Components of Environment

• Natural Environment → Land, water, air, plants, animals.
• Human-made Environment → Parks, buildings, roads, industries, monuments.
• Human Environment → People, families, communities, religion, education, politics.

Land Use Patterns

• Vary according to topography, soil, climate, population, and economic activities.
• Examples:
• Plains and river valleys → used for farming.
• Forests and hills → forestry and grazing.
• Cities → housing and industries.

Problems Related to Land

• Land degradation: Overuse leads to decline in fertility.
• Soil erosion: Washing away of fertile topsoil by water and wind.
• Desertification: Fertile land turning into desert due to deforestation, overgrazing, and poor farming practices.
• Landslides: Sudden downhill movement of soil and rocks in hilly areas.

Soil Formation

• Soil is the thin upper layer of Earth where plants grow.
• Formed by the process of weathering (breaking down of rocks due to wind, water, temperature, and living organisms).
• Factors: parent rock, climate, relief (slope), vegetation, and time.

Types of Soil in India

• Alluvial soil: Found in northern plains; very fertile, good for rice, wheat, sugarcane.
• Black soil: Found in Deccan plateau; good for cotton.
• Red soil: Found in southern India; poor in humus but suitable for millets.
• Laterite soil: Found in high rainfall areas; used for tea, coffee.
• Desert soil: Sandy, found in Rajasthan; poor fertility.
• Mountain soil: Found in Himalayan regions; supports tea, fruits, and spices.

Soil Degradation

• Causes: deforestation, overgrazing, excessive irrigation, floods, use of chemicals.
• Effects: reduced fertility, waterlogging, salinity, loss of biodiversity.

Conservation of Land and Soil

• Afforestation: Planting more trees.
• Controlled grazing: Avoiding overuse by animals.
• Terrace farming: On slopes to reduce erosion.
• Contour ploughing: Ploughing along slope lines to prevent runoff.
• Crop rotation: Restores fertility by alternating crops.
• Shelter belts: Planting rows of trees to stop wind erosion.
• Proper irrigation methods: Prevents salinity and waterlogging.

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