Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
भूमि, मृदा, जल, प्राकृतिक वनस्पति और वन्य जीवन (मृदा संरक्षण विधियाँ, मल्च, वेदिका फार्म, रक्षक मेखलाएँ, वन बायोम)
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- Soil Conservation Methods (Guaranteed CTET Matching Table):
- - Mulching (मल्च बनाना): The bare ground between plants is covered with an organic layer of straw, dry grass, or sawdust to retain soil moisture.
- - Contour Barriers (समोच्चरेखीय रोधिकाएँ): Stones, grass, and soil are used to build barriers along contours; trenches are dug in front of barriers to collect water.
- - Rock Dam (चट्टान बाँध): Rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of running water, preventing deep gullies and soil loss.
- - Terrace Farming (वेदिका फार्म): Broad flat steps or terraces are carved out on steep hill slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow crops, reducing surface runoff and soil erosion.
- - Intercropping (पट्टीदार खेती): Different crops are grown in alternate rows and sown at different times to protect soil from rain wash.
- - Contour Ploughing (समोच्चरेखीय जुताई): Ploughing parallel to contours of a hill slope to form a natural barrier for water flowing down the slope.
- - Shelter Belts (रक्षक मेखलाएँ): In coastal and arid dry regions, rows of trees are planted in straight lines to check wind movement to protect soil cover.
- World Vegetation Biomes:
- - Tropical Evergreen Rainforests: Dense, multi-layered canopy near equator (Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber); heavy rainfall, trees do not shed leaves simultaneously.
- - Tropical Deciduous (Monsoon Forests): Shed leaves in dry summer to conserve moisture (Sal, Teak, Shisham, Peepal, Neem).
- - Mediterranean Forests: Known as 'Orchards of the world' for fruit cultivation (citrus fruits: oranges, figs, olives, grapes); thick bark and wax-coated leaves to reduce transpiration in dry summers.
- - Coniferous Forests (Taiga / शंकुधारी वन): Sub-polar latitudes; tall, softwood evergreen trees (Chir, Pine, Cedar); wood used for paper pulp and matchboxes.
- CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora protects thousands of animal and plant species.
- Trap: Which soil conservation technique is specifically employed in coastal and arid dry regions? Correct: SHELTER BELTS (रक्षक मेखलाएँ - planting rows of trees).
- Trap: Which technique is used on steep hill slopes to reduce surface runoff? Correct: TERRACE FARMING (वेदिका फार्म).
- Trap: Covering bare soil between crops with straw is called: Correct: MULCHING (मल्च बनाना).
NCERT Core Facts: Soil Conservation Architecture & Global Forest Biomes
Soil conservation engineering and forest ecosystem classifications in CTET Paper 2:
1. Master Soil Conservation Strategies
| Conservation Method | Mechanical / Agricultural Action | Primary Topographic Application |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter Belts (रक्षक मेखलाएँ) | Planting linear rows of trees to obstruct gale winds | Arid zones & coastal plains (dry areas) |
| Terrace Farming (वेदिका फार्म) | Carving stepped flat terraces on hill inclines | Steep mountainous and hilly slopes |
| Mulching (मल्च बनाना) | Layer of decaying straw/sawdust over bare soil | Retains moisture between garden crop rows |
| Contour Ploughing | Tilling parallel to natural hill contours | Retards downhill water torrents on slopes |
| Rock Dams (चट्टान बाँध) | Piling boulders in drainage gullies | Arrests gully formation and flash mud erosion |
2. Global Forest Biomes at a Glance
- Tropical Evergreen: Hardwood timbers (Mahogany, Ebony, Rosewood). Leaves never drop at once; impenetrable sunlight.
- Tropical Deciduous (Monsoon Forests): Hardwood commercial timber (Teak, Sal, Shisham). Trees shed foliage for 6–8 weeks in dry summer.
- Mediterranean Biome: "Orchards of the World". Famous for citrus fruits (Olives, Grapes, Oranges).
- Taiga / Coniferous: High northern latitudes (50^circ-70^circ). Softwood evergreen pines used for newsprint pulp and plywood.
Test Your Mastery: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Authentic CBSE exam questions tested directly from this NCERT chapter.
In coastal and dry arid regions, which of the following soil conservation methods involves planting dense rows of trees to break wind speed and protect soil cover?
तटीय और शुष्क क्षेत्रों में, पवन की गति को रोकने और मृदा आवरण की रक्षा के लिए घने वृक्षों की कतारें लगाने वाली मृदा संरक्षण विधि कौन-सी है?
Which forest biome of the world is widely acknowledged as the 'Orchards of the World' due to its specialized production of citrus fruits like olives, oranges, and grapes?
जैतून, संतरे और अंगूर जैसे खट्टे फलों के विशिष्ट उत्पादन के कारण विश्व के किस वन बायोम को व्यापक रूप से 'विश्व का फलोद्यान' माना जाता है?
What are shelter belts, and why are they planted extensively in coastal and desert environments?
Shelter belts are rows of trees planted along field perimeters to break the velocity of harsh desert/coastal winds, preventing wind-blown topsoil erosion.
Why is the Mediterranean forest region famously dubbed the 'Orchards of the World'?
Because of extensive commercial cultivation of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, figs, olives, and grapes adapted to hot dry summers and mild rainy winters.