Geography

Q.22.How is land a natural resources of utmost importance? Explain with four facts.

Ans.

i) . All economic activities are performed on land.
ii). It supports natural vegetation and wildlife.
iii). Most of the minerals are formed in land.
iv). It is used for transport and communication system.

Q.23. Distinguish between Khaddar and Bhangar.

Ans.
Khaddar (New)

i). The Khaddar soils are found in the low areas of the valley bottom of a valley which are flooded every year.
ii). These soils are finer in texture.
iii). The khaddar soils are more fertile as these are found in the low areas of bottom of a valley which are flooded almost every year.

Bhangar (Old)

i). The Bhangar soils are found in the higher reaches, about 30 m above the flood level.
ii). These are coarse in texture.
iii). These soils are less fertile as these are found on the higher reaches, about 30 m above the flood level.

Q.24.Write short notes on soil erosion.

Ans.

i). The removal of soil by the forces of nature, particularly wind and water is known as soil erosion.
ii). Wind and water are powerful agents of soil erosion because of their ability to remove soil and transport it.
iii). Soil erosion makes the land unsuitable for cultivation and the land so developed is called bad land.
iv) Soil erosion in certain areas has become a menace. Large areas of agricultural land in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat have been transformed into ravines.
v). Gully erosion is the most spectacular type of erosion. This has already degraded about 40 lakh hectares of land in the country. Reducing flow of water by constructing bandhs, by planting more trees, by restricting grazing of animals, and applying proper farming techniques are some of the methods to check soil erosion.

Q.25. Mention any four characteristics of black soil.

Ans.

i). The black soils are made of extremely fine materials i.e., clayey materials.
ii) These soils are rich in soil nutrients such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, potash and lime.
iii). These soils are generally poor in phosphoric content.
v). The soil is well known for its capacity to hold moisture.

Q.26.How is red soil formed? Mention its three characteristics.

Ans. Formation:- Most of the red soils have come into existence due to weathering of ancient crystalline igneous rocks.
Features :-

i). Soils are loamy in deep depressions and in uplands. They consist of loose gravels and highly coarse materials.
ii). The color of these soils is generally red, often grading into brown, chocolate or yellow. The red color is due to wide diffusion rather than high percentage of iron content. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
iii). Soils are deficient in phosphoric acid, organic matter and nitrogenous materials but are fairly rich in potash. But crops are cultivated with the use of fertilizers.