Q 1 – What is the full form of CITES?
Ans – CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Q 2 – Define National Park?
Ans – National Park is a natural area designated for the protection of ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for the present and the future generation.
Q 3 – Name the classification of forests depending on when they shed their leaves?
Ans – Forests are broadly classified as evergreen and deciduous depending on when they shed their leaves.
Q 4 – Why is the river Yamuna getting polluted?
Ans – River Yamuna is getting polluted due to sewage, industrial e©uents and garbage released into it.
Q 5 – What quantity of water does a dripping tap waste in a year?
Ans – A dripping tap water 1200 litres of water in a year.
Q 6 – What are the two major threats to the soil as a resource?
Ans – Soil erosion and depletion are the major threats to the soil as a resource.
Q 7 –How much time period is required for the formation of just one centimetre of soil?
Ans – It takes hundreds of years to make just one centimetre of soil.
Q 8 – Which natural resource covers only about 30% of the total area of the earth’s surface?
Ans – Land
Q 9 – What is the main reason behind the uneven distribution of population in different parts of the world?
Ans – It is mainly due to varied characteristics of land and climate.
Q 10 – On what basis land is classified into private land and community land?
Ans – On the basis of ownership.
Q 11 – What has led to large scale destruction of forest cover and arable land?
Ans – Growing population and their ever-growing demand have led to large scale destruction of forest cover and arable land.
Q 12 – Why is Hazard Mapping done?
Ans – Hazard mapping is done to locate areas prone to landslide.
Q 13 – What determines the type of soil?
Ans – Landform determines the type of soil.
Q 14 – In which year does the consumption of water for human use was 3850 cai/year?
Ans – In 1975.
Q 15 – Why is Earth appropriately called a water planet?
Ans – Because 3/4th of the earth’s surface is covered with water.
Q 16 – What per cent of fresh water is present on Earth?
Ans – Only about 2.7%.
Q 17 – What is the major problem faced by the world today?
Ans – Access to clean and adequate water sources is a major problem faced by the world today.
Q 18 – On what does the growth of vegetation depends primarily?
Ans – The growth of vegetation depends primarily on temperature and moisture
Q 19 – Give some examples of species protected under CITES.
Ans – Bears, dolphins, cacti, corals, orchids and aloes, etc.
Q 20 –What is soil and how is soil made fertile?
Ans – 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. 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.
Q 21 – What does the weathering mean and how does the weathering help soil?
Ans – Weathering is the breaking up and decay of exposed rocks by temperature changes, frost action, plants, animals and human activity and soil is made up of organic matter, minerals and weathered rocks found on the earth. This happens through the process of weathering.
Q 22 – What are some broad mitigation techniques of landslide?
Ans – Some broad mitigation techniques of landslide are as follows:
1. Hazard mapping for locating landslides prone area, so that building settlements can be avoided.
2. Construction of retention wall to stop land from slipping.
3. Increase in the vegetation cover to arrest landslide.
4. The surface drainage control works to control the movement of landslide along with rain water and spring flows.
Q 23 – How is the land classified on the basis of ownership? What is the concept of common property resources?
Ans – Land can be classified on the basis of ownership as private and community land. Private land is owned by the 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 called common property resources.
Q 24 – What is a land and what is the concept of Land use?
Ans – Land is among the most important natural resources. It covers only about thirty per cent of the total area of the earth surface and all parts of this small percentage are not habitable.
Land Life-
The 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. The use of land is determined by physical factors such as topography, soil, climate, minerals and availability of water. Human factors such as population and technology are also important determinants of land use patterns.
Q 25 – Describe Landslide and Mitigation mechanism in brief.
Ans – Landslides are simply defined as the mass movement of rock debris or earth down a slope. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. A prolonged spell of rainfall can cause heavy landslides that can block the flow of the river for quite some time.
The formation of river blocks can cause havoc to the settlements downstream on its bursting. In the hilly terrain, landslides have been a major and widely spread natural disaster that often strike life and property and occupy a position of major concern.
Mitigation mechanism is the advancement in scientific techniques which has empowered us to understand what factors cause landslides and how to manage them.
Look at the picture given below and answer the following questions:
Q 26 – 1 What does the picture show.
2. Under which category is Tsunami placed?
Ans – 1. The picture shows the loss of rainforest in Great Nicobar after the Tsunami.
2. Natural factors accelerating the process of extinction of resources.
Q 27 – Give the reason for the uneven distribution of population in different parts of the world?
Ans – Varied characteristics of land and climate.
Q 28 – Mention the physical factors which determine the land use pattern.
Ans – 1. Topography
2. soil
3. minerals
4. availability of water.
Q 29 – Which are the major threats to our environment?
Ans – 1. Land degradation,
2. soil erosion,
3. desertification.
Q 30 – What is soil?
Ans – The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth is called soil.
Q 31 – Give two reasons of water shortage or water scarcity.
Ans – (i) Variation in annual or seasonal precipitation.
(ii) Over-exploitation of water.
(iii) Contamination of water.
Q 32 –Mention two major contaminants of water bodies.
Ans – (i) Discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage.
(ii) Agricultural chemicals.
(iii) Industrial ffluents.
Q 33 – On which two factors does the growth of vegetation depend?
Ans – (i) Temperature and
(ii) moisture.
Q 34 – How are the major vegetation types of the world grouped?
Ans – (i) Forests,
(ii) grasslands,
(iii) scrubs,
(iv) tundra
Q 35 – Give one main reason for the clearance of forest?
Ans – To feed the growing population or to increase agricultural land.
Q 36 – What is the total account of freshwater over the earth?
Ans – 1%
Q 37 – Where does the government get money for public facilities?
Ans – The government gets money from taxes collected from people for public facilities.
Q 38 – Ocean water is and is not fit for human use.
Ans – salty
Q 39 – State true or false:
Water is a non-renewable natural resource. (False)
Q 40 – What do you understand by land use?
Ans – Using land for different purposes like agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries is commonly termed as land use.
Q 41 –Distinguish between private land and community land.
Ans –
Private land Private land is owned by individuals. Private land is used to build houses, agriculture etc. | Community land Community land is owned by the community Community the land is used for common uses like a collection of fodder, fruits, nuts or medicinal herbs. |
Q 42 – Mention the common methods used to conserve land.
Ans – (i) Afforestation,
(ii) land reclamation,
(iii) regulated use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers,
(iv) checks on overgrazing.
Q 43 – Mention the factors of soil formation.
Ans – (i) Parent rock,
(ii) climate,
(iii) topography,
(iv) organic matter,
(v) time.
Q 44 – Mention the factors which lead to soil degradation.
Ans – (i) Deforestation,
(ii) overgrazing,
(iii) overuse of chemical fertilisers or pesticides,
(iv) rain wash,
(v) landslides,
(vi) floods.
Q 45 –What is terrace cultivation?
Ans – On steep slopes, terraces are made so that flat surfaces are available to grow crops. It reduces surface run-off and soil erosion.
Q 46 –Define contour ploughing.
Ans – Ploughing is done parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a natural barrier for water to flow down the slope.
Q 47 –Which method of soil conservation is practiced in the coastal and dry regions?
Ans – In coastal and dry regions, rows of trees are planted to check the wind movement to protect soil cover.
Q 48 –What do you understand by the water cycle?
Ans – The movement of water through the oceans, the air, the land and back again, through the process of evaporation and precipitation is called the water cycle.
Q 49 –What are the major factors leading to a shortage in supply of freshwater?
Ans – (i) Increasing population,
(ii) rising demands for food and cash crops,
(iii) increasing urbanisation,
(iv) rising standards of living.
Q 50 –Which regions of the world face scarcity of water?
Ans – (i) Africa,
(ii) West Asia,
(iii) South Africa,
(iv) parts of Western USA,
(v) North-West Mexico,
(vi) parts of South America,
(vii) Australia
Q 51 – Define biosphere and ecosystem.
Or
Write the difference between the biosphere and ecosystem.
Ans – (i) Biosphere – It is the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.
(ii) Ecosystem – In the biosphere, living beings are interrelated and interdependent on each other for survival. This life-supporting system is called an ecosystem.
Q 52 –Various species of natural vegetation and wildlife have become vulnerable or endangered and some are on the verge of extinction. Why? Give reasons.
Ans – Deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires and landslides are some of the human-made and natural factors which together accelerate the process of extinction of natural vegetation and wildlife.
Q 53 –Why are animals poached?
Ans – Animals are poached for collection and illegal trade of hides, skins, nails, teeth, horns as well as feathers.
Q 54 –What are landslides?
Ans – Landslides are a mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope. They include a broad range of motions whereby falling, sliding and flowing under the influence of gravity dislodges earth material.
Q 55 – Give two main reasons for a forest fire.
Ans – (i) Natural fire due to lightning.
(ii) Fire purposely caused by local inhabitants.
Q 56 –Varied characteristics of land and climate affect the distribution of population. Explain how.
Ans – Varied characteristics of land and climate affect the distribution of population in the following ways– (i) The rugged topography, steep slopes of mountains, low-lying areas susceptible to waterlogging, desert areas, thickly forested areas are sparsely populated or uninhabited.
(ii) Fertile plains and river valleys after suitable land for agriculture. Therefore, these are densely populated.
Q 57 –Explain how various factors affect soil formation.
Ans – (i) Parent Rock – It determines colour, texture, chemical properties, mineral content and permeability of the soil.
(ii) Relief – Altitude and slope determine the accumulation of soil
(iii) Climate – Temperature and rainfall influence rate of weathering and humus formation.
(iv) Time – It determines the thickness of soil.
(v) Flora, Fauna and micro-organisms.
These affect the rate of humus formation.
Q 58 –Describe five methods of soil conservation.
Ans – 1. Mulching – The bare ground between plants is covered with a layer of organic matter like straw. It helps to retain soil moisture.
2. Contour barriers – Stones, grass, soil are used to build barriers along contours. Trenches are made in front of the barriers to collect water.
3. Agroforestry – Crops are grown along with trees on the boundaries of the fields to check soil erosion.
4. Rock dam – Rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water. This prevents gully erosion.
5. Intercropping – Different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.
Q 59 –Describe the distribution of water on the earth’s surface.
Ans – (i) Oceans cover two-thirds of the earth’s surface.
(ii) freshwater accounts for only about 2.7 per cent of the total. Nearly 70 per cent of this occurs as ice sheets and glaciers in Antarctica, Greenland and mountain regions. Only one per cent of freshwater is available as groundwater, surface water in rivers and lakes and as water vapour in the atmosphere.
Q 60 –Mention the various ways of water conservation.
Ans – 1. The rainwater can be collected from the rooftop with the help of pipes in tanks, sumps, ponds or lakes. It also helps in recharging of groundwater.
2. The canals must be properly lined to minimise losses by water seepage.
3. Sprinklers effectively irrigate the area by checking water losses through seepage and evaporation.
4. In dry regions with high rates of evaporation, drip irrigation is very useful.
Q 61 – Write four advantages of rainwater harvesting.
Ans – 1. It makes ecological and financial sense not to waste pure natural resources available in large quantities on rooftop.
2. It encourages water conservation and self-dependence.
3. If water does not contain any organic material and is stored in a clean container, it remains pure for long time.
4. It prevents groundwater depletion and is a good supplement to piped water.
Q 62 – How are plants useful to us?
Or
Write the various uses of plants.
Ans – 1. Plants provide us with timber.
2. Give shelter to animals.
3. Produce oxygen we breathe.
4. Protect soil which is essential for growing crops.
5. Act as shelterbelts.
6. Help in the storage of underground water.
Give us fruits, nuts, latex, turpentine oil, gum, medicinal plants, paper, etc.
Q 63 – Explain how animals are useful to us.
Ans – 1. Animals provide us with milk, meat, hides and wool.
2. Insects like bees provide us with honey, help in the pollination of flowers and have an important role to play as decomposers in the ecosystem.
3. The birds feed on insects and act as decomposers as well. Vulture, due to its ability to feed on dead livestock, is a scavenger and is considered a vital cleanser of the environment.
Q 64 – Describe how the growth of forests depends on rainfall.
Ans – 1. Huge trees and dense forests are found in the areas of heavy rainfall.
2. Short stunted trees grow in regions of moderate rainfall.
3. Thorny shrubs and scrubs grow in dry areas of low rainfall.
4. Tundra vegetation of cold Polar Regions comprise mosses in lichens
Q 65 – Write the major causes of landslides.
Ans – Major causes of landslides are as follows:
1. Topographic variables – Relief, slope.
2. Geological – Lithology, fault/thrust/ lineaments.
3. Morphological causes – Drainage density, dissected surface, stream action.
4. Triggering factors – Rainfall, earthquake.
5. Anthropogenic – Land use, excavation on a slope.
Q 66 – Mention some mitigation techniques for landslides.
Ans – 1. Hazard mapping, locate areas prone to landslides. Hence, such areas can be avoided for building settlements.
2. Construction of retention wall to stop the land from slipping.
3. Increase in the vegetation cover.
4. The surface drainage control works are implemented to control the movement of landslides along with rainwater and spring flows.
Q 67 – Mention the steps that can be taken to protect plants and animals.
Ans – 1. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves are made.
2. Awareness programmes like social forestry and van Mahotsav should be encouraged at the regional and community level.
3. School children should be encouraged for bird watching and visiting nature camps so that they appreciate the habitat of varied species.
4. Laws must be passed declaring the trade and killing of birds and animals is illegal.
Q 68 – What are natural resources?
Ans – Natural resources can be broadly categorized into 5 divisions, namely, land, soil, water, natural vegetation and wildlife.
Q 69 – How does land fulfil our needs?
Ans – We get our food from plants and trees that grow on land.
We build houses on land that gives us shelter.
We construct roads and railway lines on land that helps us to travel from one place to another.
We get minerals from land that is very essential for our development.
We build factories and other buildings on land.
Q 70 – Name a few landforms.
Ans –
- Valleys
- Plateaus
- Mountains
- Plains
- Hills
- Glaciers … are landforms.
Q 71 – What are the factors that determine the pattern in which a particular region is used?
Ans –
- Landscape.
- Soil.
- Climate.
- Minerals Available In That Region.
- Availability Of Water.
- Human Population.
- The Use Of Modern Technology are the factors that determine the pattern in which that particular region is utilised.
Q 72 – What are the methods that can be adapted to contain landslides?
Ans – Construction of a retention wall to stop land from slipping and increase in the vegetation cover can be adapted to contain landslides. Effective surface drainage system is a major way to control landslides during rainy season and spring flows. Hazard mapping can locate areas prone to landslides. These areas can be avoided for building settlements and hence avoid loss of life and property in the event of a Landslide.
Q 73 – Give a brief description of soil composition or the layers of soil?
Ans – Soil can be classified into 4 major layers. They are:-
- Horizon O
- Horizon A
- Horizon B
- Horizon C
Horizon O refers to the upper layer of soil, nearest the surface. It is commonly known as topsoil. This layer includes organic litter, such as fallen leaves and twigs. The litter helps prevent erosion, holds moisture and decays to form a very rich soil known as humus.
Horizon A is the layer below Horizon O. Litter is not present in horizon A and therefore there is much less humus. It consists of subsoil with sand, silt and clay.
Horizon B is below Horizon A. Horizon B consists mostly of weatherized big rocks. This solid rock gives rise to the horizons above it.
Horizon C is found below Horizon B and consists of the parent rock.
Q 74 – What are the factors that aid soil formation?
Ans – Climate, Parent rock, Topography, organic material and time span are the factors that aid soil formation.
Q 75 – Mention some methods that are used to conserve soil?
Ans – Some of the methods used to conserve soil are:
- Mulching.
- Contour barriers.
- Rock dam.
- Terrace farming.
- Intercropping.
- Crop rotation.
- Contour ploughing.
- Shelterbelts.
- Afforestation.
Q 76 – Write a brief note on terrace farming and intercropping.
Ans – Terrace farming is a process in which hill slopes are used as cultivable crops. The farmer cuts terraces into slopes to create fat areas to grow crops because fat land is scarce in hilly regions. Intercropping is different crops grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.
Q 77 – What is a ‘water cycle’?
Ans – Rivers, lakes and oceans lose water every day because of evaporation due to the heat of the sun. That water travels into the air as water vapour and becomes part of a cloud. Through condensation, the water vapour in clouds becomes a liquid such as rain, snow or sleet which is called precipitation. The water then comes back to the earth and the process begins all over again.
Q 78 – What are the causes for the destruction of natural vegetation and wildlife?
Ans – Natural vegetation and wildlife are destroyed by man and by nature.
Man-made causes for destruction are:-
- Deforestation.
- Construction Activities.
- Agricultural Expansion.
- Soil Erosion.
Natural causes for destruction are:-
- Climate Change.
- Forest Fires.
- Tsunamis.
- Landslides.
- Earth Quakes.
- Floods.
Q 79 – What are bio reserves?
Ans – Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO. These reserves are rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage and encompass unique ecosystems. The goal is the conservation of landscapes and their immense biological diversity. There are twelve Biosphere Reserves in India. They aim to protect ecosystems and also serve as laboratories for evolving alternative models of development. Research and development projects are also supported.