Degradation of Soil and Conservation Measures

Soil erosion and depletion pose significant threats to soil resources, driven by both natural phenomena and human activities. Factors contributing to soil degradation include:

  • Deforestation
  • Overgrazing
  • Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
  • Water erosion from rainfall
  • Land disturbances such as landslides and floods

Various soil conservation techniques are employed to mitigate soil degradation:

Mulching: Covering the bare ground between plants with organic materials like straw to retain soil moisture.

Contour barriers: Constructing barriers along contour lines using stones, grass, and soil to reduce water flow and collect it in trenches.

Rock dams: Piling up rocks to slow water flow and prevent gully erosion.

Terrace farming: Creating flat terraces on steep slopes to reduce surface runoff and soil erosion.

Intercropping: Planting different crops in alternating rows to protect soil from erosion.

Contour ploughing: Ploughing parallel to hill slopes to create natural barriers for water flow.

Shelterbelts: Planting rows of trees in coastal and arid regions to reduce wind erosion and preserve soil cover.

Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources| CBSE Notes Class 8 Geography

Observe the terrain, soil composition, and water availability in your local area and observe how they have shaped the way people live there. It’s notable that a significant portion of the world’s population, approximately 90%, resides on just 30% of the total land area, leaving the remaining 70% relatively sparsely populated or uninhabited.

For a comprehensive understanding of subjects like Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resources, students are encouraged to delve into Chapter 2 of CBSE Class 8 Geography. Additionally, students can enhance their understanding by referring to CBSE Notes Class 8 Geography Chapter 2, which covers these topics in detail.

Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources| CBSE Notes Class 8 Geography

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