Natural Resources - Land, Soil, and Water

1. Natural Resources

 Earth's uniqueness: Life is possible due to the interaction of lithosphere, atmosphere,

 Division of Earth's surface:

o Land: 30% of the total surface.

o Water: 70% of the total surface.

2. Land Resources

 Importance of land: Used for agriculture, construction, forestry, mining, and industrial
purposes.

 Lithosphere: Consists of soil and rocks, and supports plant growth.

 Human activities on land: Cultivation, construction, and other land-use patterns depend on
physical factors (soil, relief, climate) and human factors (population density, technology).

3. Land Use

 Land is used for:

o Agriculture

o Roads and railways

o Construction and industries

o Forests and mining

 Land use pattern: Determined by factors like population, soil quality, and technological
needs.

 Global land statistics:

o 33% of Earth's land should ideally be under forest cover, but only 31% is forested.

o Human activities cause land degradation and deforestation.

4. Land Degradation

 Causes: Soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, mining.

 Solutions:

o Land management for sustainable usage.

o Conservation of ecosystems.
5. Soil Resources

 Importance of soil: Supports plant growth and is essential for agriculture.

 Fertile soil: Needed for high crop yields. Fertility is lost through soil erosion and degradation.

6. Factors Affecting Soil Formation

1. Parent Rock: Determines soil quality (e.g., the black soil in India).

2. Topography:

o Plains have thick soil.

o Hills have thin and less fertile soil.

3. Climate: Temperature and rainfall affect soil. High rainfall leads to faster weathering.

4. Vegetation Cover: Plants add nutrients to soil, improving fertility.

5. Time: Soil formation is slow and takes thousands of years.

7. Soil Erosion

 Definition: Removal of topsoil by natural agents like wind, water, and human activities.

 Consequences: Loss of fertility and agricultural productivity.

 Prevention: Soil conservation practices are necessary.

8. Soil Conservation

 Methods:

1. Afforestation: Planting trees to bind the soil and reduce erosion.

2. Shelter Belts: Rows of trees to reduce wind erosion.

3. Terrace Farming: Cultivation on steps to prevent soil runoff on hills.

4. Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along the slope to prevent erosion.

5. Dams: Prevent flooding and protect soil.

6. Crop Rotation: Restores soil nutrients.

Do You Know?

1. Terrace Farming: Used on hill slopes for effective cultivation.

2. Contour Ploughing: Helps reduce soil erosion by aligning with natural contours.
Water Resources

Importance of Water

 Water is a vital natural resource that supports life on Earth.

 The Earth is often referred to as a "watery planet" because about 70% of its surface is
covered by water.

 However, the majority of water on Earth is salty and found in oceans and seas, making it
unsuitable for direct human consumption or agricultural use.

Freshwater Distribution

 Only 2.7% of Earth's water is freshwater:

o 0.03%: Found in rivers and lakes, used for daily human consumption.

o 2.0%: Stored in glaciers and ice caps, primarily in polar regions.

o 0.68%: Found as underground water, a critical source for drinking and agriculture.

Sources of Freshwater

 Freshwater is replenished through precipitation and the hydrological cycle, where water
continuously moves between the atmosphere, land, and oceans.

 Natural sources include:

o Rivers and streams.

o Underground aquifers.

o Lakes and ponds.

o Glaciers and snowmelt.

Freshwater Availability

 The availability of freshwater varies globally based on rainfall:

o High Rainfall Areas:

 Found in equatorial regions like South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

 These regions have abundant freshwater resources due to consistent rainfall.

o Low Rainfall Areas:

 Include desert regions like the Sahara, Kalahari, and parts of Australia,
Central Asia, and polar areas.

 These regions suffer from water scarcity due to minimal precipitation.

Pollution of Water
  Causes of Pollution:

o Industrial waste and untreated sewage are often dumped into rivers.

o This makes water unsuitable for drinking and agriculture.

 Effects of Pollution:

o Polluted water spreads diseases like cholera, jaundice, and typhoid.

o Ecosystems are disrupted, impacting aquatic life and the surrounding environment.

 Efforts to Reduce Pollution:

o Cleaning river water through waste treatment.

o Reducing industrial discharge into water bodies.

Multipurpose River Valley Projects

 These projects aim to use rivers efficiently for:

o Irrigation: Ensuring a steady water supply for crops.

o Hydroelectric Power Generation: Producing electricity from water flow.

o Flood Control: Regulating water levels during heavy rainfall.

o Afforestation: Promoting tree planting to prevent soil erosion.

 Examples of Major Dams:

o Hirakud Dam (India): Controls flooding and provides irrigation.

o Aswan Dam (Egypt): Regulates the Nile River and generates electricity.

o Hoover Dam (USA): A source of water, electricity, and flood control.

Criticism of Large Dams

 Despite their benefits, large dams have negative environmental and social impacts:

o Environmental Issues:

 Submergence of forests and wildlife habitats.

 Soil erosion due to altered water flow.

 Aquatic life is affected as dams disrupt natural ecosystems.

o Social Issues:

 Large populations are displaced when land is submerged.

 Farmers and communities dependent on rivers are affected.

Water Conservation Methods

Why Conserve Water?

 Water is a finite resource, and its availability is reducing due to:

o Increasing global demand.

o Unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming.

 Conservation is essential to ensure the sustainable use of water for future generations.

Methods of Water Conservation

1. Water Harvesting:

o Collecting and storing rainwater to prevent surface runoff.

o Helps in replenishing underground water reserves.

2. Vegetation Cover:

o Planting trees and maintaining greenery reduces surface water loss.

o Increases groundwater storage.

3. Recycling Water:

o Used water from households and industries can be treated and reused for:

 Flushing toilets.

 Watering gardens and crops.

 Industrial processes.

4. Efficient Irrigation Techniques:

o Drip/Trickle Irrigation: Directs water to plant roots, minimizing wastage.

o Sprinkler Irrigation: Sprays water efficiently over a large area.

5. Dams and Reservoirs:

o Store rainwater and release it gradually for irrigation, drinking, or industrial use.

6. Public Awareness:

o Educating people about water conservation and reducing wastage.

o Encouraging the installation of sensor taps in public spaces.

 Maintenance of Lakes and Ponds: Helps recharge groundwater and maintain ecological
balance.

 Preventing Overuse: Avoid over-extraction of groundwater to maintain the water table.

 Sustainable Urban Practices: Cities can conserve water by reducing wastage and recycling
used water.

Key Takeaways

 Water is crucial for life, but its availability is unevenly distributed.

 Pollution of water sources is a severe problem, requiring immediate action.

 Large dams provide multiple benefits but also have environmental and social downsides.

 Conserving water through modern techniques and awareness is essential to secure the
future.