Question

What is the importance of land as a resource? What factor determines the land use pattern?

Answer 1

Hint: Land is the most valuable natural resource on the planet. Everything is supported by the land. Natural vegetation, animals, human life, economic activity, transportation, and communication networks are only a few examples. Mountains, plateaus, plains, islands, and a variety of other relief features cover India's geography.

Complete answer:
The land is regarded as a valuable resource because it provides a habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna. Humans use it for a variety of purposes, including agriculture, forestry, mining, construction of houses and roads, and the establishment of industry. Physical elements such as topography, soil, climate, minerals, and water availability all influence how land is used. Land use patterns are also influenced by human factors such as population and technology.

The acreage under forest cover has not increased much due to the growth of agricultural fields, the construction of huge dams, the construction of highways, and the construction of structures in areas next to forest lands. The primary elements influencing land use and utilisation are physical and human. Topography, climate variables in the location, and soil types are all physical considerations. Population density, technological competence, culture and customs, and so forth are all human influences.

Land that is used for non-agricultural purposes is referred to as wasteland. Wasteland mostly consists of rocky, arid, and desert environments, as well as land used for non-agricultural purposes such as communities, roads, trains, and industries. The continual use of land over a long period of time without sufficient conservation and management measures has resulted in land degradation.

Note:
- Deforestation, Excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers,water-logging etc are few causes of land degradation.
- Afforestation, proper and appropriate grazing methods, and proper and adequate grazing methods are some of the ways that land degradation can be reduced and brought to a minimum.