The resources that occur and exist in nature and lead to the existence of others are termed as natural resources which can be renewable or non - renewable as well. Some resources will be entirely exhausted one day but we can slow the pace of their complete exhaustion and extinction by looking out the issues and adopting measures to conserve them. In this article, we will be discussing major natural resources such as land soil water natural vegetation and wildlife resources and their related important concepts. We will learn what kind of resource is soil or how to conserve wildlife or the importance of land and water and other related concepts. These notes will be helpful for the students of Class 6 studying Geography and Environment and also students of upper classes.
Natural Resources & Their Significance
The resources that exist on our planet in different forms in a natural way without any help or action of humans are called natural resources. They exist independently in nature without the help or interaction of humans. For example, air, water, land, sunlight, minerals, fossil fuels, animals, plants, etc. The major significance of these resources is that they maintain ecological and environmental balance on the Earth because humans usually create unbalance on the Earth. They provide an environment here that makes the possibility for life to exist on the planet. The major five natural resources are land soil water natural vegetation and wildlife resources.
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Land & Soil
Land and soil are two of the most important resources on our planet. The former is considered as the upper lithosphere part of the Earth whereas the latter is a kind of loose and organic material that lies on the land. Both serve as an important resource of Earth but is there any difference between land and soil? Let's see.
Difference between Land and Soil
Significance
The importance of soil and land natural resources are mentioned below:
They both are reasons for the survival of living organisms on the planet.
Where one side, the land provides space to reside, the other provides food to live.
The land is home to human beings and animals and other land species whereas soil is also home to various microorganisms.
They both serve as the base for agriculture activities.
Factors Affecting Land
Following are the factors that can affect land and its productivity:
The rapid increase in the global population put major stress on land.
The different types of cultivation patterns can affect the land.
The quality of the land can also affect its productivity level.
Excessive use of land and excessive stress can affect its productivity.
The occurrence of natural disasters such as landslides or earthquakes can affect the land in a large amount.
Different types of irrigation methods and excessive use of these methods can also affect their health.
Factors Affecting Soil
The following mentioned factors can affect the soil and its productivity:
The wrong agricultural practices can affect the soil and its fertility can be lost.
Land pollution can affect it as well.
The excessive use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides or insecticides can harm the quality of the soil.
Heavy rainfall, cloud outburst, floods, tsunamis, etc. can harm a large amount of good soil and lead to soil erosion.
Heavy deforestation directly affects the soil.
Conservation of Soil
Following measures can be taken for its conservation:
The use of good agricultural activities such as crop rotation or terrace farming, mulching, etc.
Leaving the soil vacant for some time say years so that it can regain its sufficient fertility level.
Less use of harmful chemical agricultural products.
The adoption of organic farming will help conserve the soil.
Growing more and more trees also helps in their conservation.
Water as a Natural Resource
It is one of the unique features of our planet that lead to the presence of life on it because it consists of liquid water which is essential for survival. Water as a Natural Resource serves various functions but only 2.5 % of the total water that we found on Earth is freshwater that is usable for survival purposes for humans or animals and the rest of the water is saltwater. The list of its various sources includes rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, glaciers, oceans, etc.
Factors Affecting Water
The various factors that can affect this natural resource are mentioned below:
It is used as a raw material in both agricultural and industrial activities, thus putting great stress on this resource.
Excessive use of irrigation activities can affect the availability of groundwater in some areas.
Pollution is a major source that is affecting not only its quality but also producing several water-borne diseases.
Throwing garbage or industrial waste in water affects it.
Conservation of Water Resources
It is very important to conserve this resource which can be done in the following ways:
Best irrigation practices should be adopted in the agriculture sector such as drip irrigation or sprinkler system etc.
Recycling industrial water or household water will help in conserving water.
Rainwater harvesting is a good method to be adopted by everyone.
Adopting water conservation measures by the households in their homes will lead to a major impact.
Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources
These are flora and fauna that exist in nature without any kind of humanitarian aid. The flora that grows naturally is called natural vegetation whereas the several species of fauna kingdom that live on Earth are called wildlife resources. Various factors are there which are affecting their existence on Earth such as increasing temperature and deforestation, damaging the home of the animals, killing them for food and other industrial products, etc.
Conservation of Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources
The various measures can be taken to conserve natural resources vegetation and wildlife which are mentioned below:
Various projects are launched by the National and international organizations for their conservation in which everyone should participate.
By knowing the status of any wildlife species through the IUCN list, conservation should be done on a priority basis of species that lie in critical endangered, endangered and vulnerable categories.
Conclusion
To conclude what we have discussed above we can say that these natural resources are the gift of nature and these are the gifts that help in the existence of life on the Earth but due to several factors they are deteriorating and for that right conservation measures are required to be taken to save them. In this article, we have covered necessary topics of land soil water natural vegetation and wildlife such as the meaning of the resources, water as a natural resource, the difference between land and soil, etc. As we discussed above, we should take appropriate measures to conserve these natural resources and do whatever is in our hands. These notes will help the students of Class 6 and upper classes to understand the resources and their various issues and how to conserve them.
FAQs on Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resources
1. What is the importance of conserving land, soil, water, natural vegetation, and wildlife resources?
Conserving these natural resources is crucial for the planet's health and human survival. Land is essential for agriculture, housing, and industry. Soil supports plant life, which is the foundation of most food chains. Water is vital for all living beings for drinking, agriculture, and sanitation. Natural vegetation provides oxygen, timber, and habitats, while also preventing soil erosion. Wildlife maintains ecological balance. Their conservation ensures a sustainable future, preserves biodiversity, and supports our life systems.
2. What is soil, and what are the main factors influencing its formation?
Soil is the thin, uppermost layer of the Earth's crust, composed of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life. The main factors influencing soil formation are:
- Parent Rock: Determines the colour, texture, and mineral content of the soil.
- Climate: Temperature and rainfall affect the rate of weathering and humus formation.
- Relief: Altitude and slope determine the accumulation of soil.
- Flora, Fauna, and Micro-organisms: Affect the rate of humus formation.
- Time: Gives the soil profile its thickness and maturity.
3. What are some effective methods for soil conservation as per the CBSE Class 8 syllabus?
Several methods can be used to conserve soil and prevent its degradation. Key methods include:
- Mulching: Covering the bare ground between plants with a layer of organic matter like straw to retain soil moisture.
- Terrace Farming: Building broad flat steps or terraces on steep slopes to slow down water flow and reduce erosion.
- Contour Ploughing: Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to create a natural barrier for water to flow down.
- Shelterbelts: Planting rows of trees in coastal and dry regions to check wind movement and protect soil cover.
- Afforestation: Planting more trees is the most effective long-term method to prevent soil erosion.
4. Why is fresh water considered a scarce resource, and what factors impact its availability?
Although about 71% of the Earth is covered in water, only about 2.7% of it is fresh water. Of this, a large portion is inaccessible, frozen in ice caps and glaciers. This makes usable fresh water a very scarce resource. Its availability is impacted by several factors, including uneven rainfall distribution, pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff, over-extraction for a growing population, and climate change altering precipitation patterns.
5. What is the main difference between natural vegetation and cultivated crops?
The main difference lies in human intervention. Natural vegetation refers to a plant community that has grown naturally without human aid and has been left undisturbed for a long time. It includes forests and grasslands. In contrast, cultivated crops are plants like wheat, rice, and vegetables that are grown by humans for food or commercial purposes through agricultural practices. They are not considered part of a region's natural vegetation.
6. How does the concept of 'land use' differ between a densely populated urban area and a sparsely populated rural area?
The concept of land use changes dramatically based on population density and economic activities. In a densely populated urban area, land is primarily used for commercial, residential, and industrial purposes, like building houses, offices, malls, and factories. The value of land is very high. In a sparsely populated rural area, land is predominantly used for agriculture, forestry, grazing, and mining. The focus is on utilising the land as a productive natural resource rather than for construction.
7. Why is terrace cultivation a common agricultural practice in mountainous regions but not in the plains?
Terrace cultivation is specifically designed for farming on steep slopes. The terraces act as a series of small, level fields that slow down the flow of water, preventing rapid runoff and soil erosion, which is a major problem in hilly areas. In the plains, the land is already flat, so there is no need to create terraces. Conventional ploughing methods are sufficient and more efficient on flat terrain, making terrace farming an unnecessary and impractical method there.
8. What is the connection between deforestation and an increased risk of both floods and droughts?
Deforestation creates a dual threat by disrupting the water cycle. Tree roots hold the soil together and increase its capacity to absorb rainwater. When forests are cleared, the soil loses its absorbent capacity, causing rainwater to run off quickly, leading to floods. At the same time, trees release water vapour into the atmosphere through transpiration, which contributes to cloud formation and rainfall. A lack of trees reduces this process, leading to decreased rainfall over time and increasing the risk of droughts.
9. What are biosphere reserves, and how do they help conserve natural vegetation and wildlife?
A biosphere reserve is a protected area established to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development. These reserves are divided into zones with varying levels of human activity. The core area is strictly protected for wildlife and natural vegetation. The buffer zone allows for activities like research and education, while the transition area permits sustainable economic activities. This model helps conserve ecosystems, protect endangered species, and maintain the genetic resources of a region in their natural state.
10. How do the ecosystems created by natural vegetation and wildlife contribute to human well-being, beyond just providing resources?
Beyond providing tangible resources like wood and food, healthy ecosystems offer critical 'ecosystem services' that are vital for human well-being. These include essential processes like the pollination of crops by insects and birds, natural water purification by wetlands, climate regulation through carbon storage in forests, and natural pest control by predator species. These services operate in the background, supporting our agriculture, health, and quality of life in ways that are often taken for granted.
