Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resources – Short Answer Type Questions
Class 8
Geography — Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation & Wildlife Resources
Subject: Social Science | NCERT-aligned Short Answer Questions (50)
Content Bank:
- Land: landforms, uses and conservation
- Soil: formation, types, erosion and conservation
- Water: distribution, groundwater, rainwater harvesting
- Natural Vegetation: types, importance and protection
- Wildlife: biodiversity, threats and conservation
- Human impacts: agriculture, urbanisation, pollution, sustainable practices
CBSE Board Examinations — Systematic Order
- Periodic Tests / Formative Assessments
- Half-Yearly Examination
- Yearly (Annual) Examination
- Project Work & Practical Assessment
- Sample Papers / Revision Tests
Topic-wise Short Answer Questions (50)
Topic 1 — Land (10 Questions)
Q1. What are the major landforms found on Earth?
Major landforms include plains, plateaus, mountains and coastal areas, each formed by geological processes like uplift, erosion and deposition.
Q2. Explain why land is considered a limited resource.
Land area is fixed; usable land is constrained by terrain, soil fertility and human use. Once degraded or converted, it is hard to restore quickly.
Q3. How does urbanisation affect land use?
Urbanisation converts agricultural or natural land into built areas, leading to loss of farmland, increased surface runoff and habitat fragmentation.
Q4. What is land degradation? Give one cause.
Land degradation is loss of productive capacity due to erosion, salinisation or pollution. One cause is deforestation that exposes soil to erosion.
Q5. Define land use planning.
Land use planning organises land for different purposes — agriculture, industry, housing and conservation — to ensure sustainable and conflict-free development.
Q6. What role do plateaus play in resource distribution?
Plateaus often contain mineral deposits and flat areas for settlement; their geology influences soil types and vegetation patterns.
Q7. Why are coastal areas important?
Coastal areas support fisheries, ports, tourism and provide livelihoods; they also act as buffers against storms when mangroves are present.
Q8. How can mining be done sustainably?
Sustainable mining uses strict environmental safeguards, restores mined land, minimises pollution and involves local communities in planning.
Q9. What is meant by land reclamation?
Land reclamation is converting unusable land (marshes, degraded sites) into productive land through measures like drainage, soil improvement and afforestation.
Q10. Suggest one policy to prevent land misuse.
Implement zoning laws that restrict conversion of fertile agricultural land to non-agricultural uses and promote compact urban growth.
Topic 2 — Soil (10 Questions)
Q11. Describe the process of soil formation in brief.
Soil forms from the weathering of rocks and decomposition of organic matter over long periods, influenced by climate, organisms, topography and time.
Q12. What is topsoil and why is it important?
Topsoil is the uppermost fertile layer containing organic matter and nutrients vital for plant growth; it supports agriculture and ecosystems.
Q13. List three components of soil.
Soil components include mineral particles (sand, silt, clay), organic matter and pore spaces filled with water and air.
Q14. Name two major soil types found in India.
Alluvial soil (fertile river plains) and black soil (regur), important for crops like rice and cotton respectively.
Q15. What causes soil erosion?
Soil erosion is caused by water runoff, wind, deforestation and unsuitable farming practices that expose soil.
Q16. How does planting cover crops help soil conservation?
Cover crops protect soil from rain impact, reduce runoff, increase organic matter and improve soil structure, reducing erosion.
Q17. Explain terracing and where it's used.
Terracing creates stepped fields on slopes to slow runoff and prevent soil loss; commonly used in hilly agriculture like rice terraces.
Q18. Why is organic matter essential in soil?
Organic matter supplies nutrients, improves water retention and supports soil organisms that maintain fertility.
Q19. What is salinisation and its effect on soil?
Salinisation is salt accumulation in soil due to poor drainage or irrigation with saline water, reducing fertility and crop yields.
Q20. Suggest one method to restore degraded soil.
Adding organic compost, practicing crop rotation and planting legumes to fix nitrogen can restore soil fertility over time.
Topic 3 — Water (10 Questions)
Q21. What fraction of Earth's water is freshwater and usable?
Only about 2–3% of Earth's water is freshwater, and an even smaller fraction is readily accessible in rivers and lakes for human use.
Q22. Differentiate between surface water and groundwater.
Surface water is found in rivers, lakes and reservoirs; groundwater is stored in soil and rock layers and accessed through wells and boreholes.
Q23. What is groundwater recharge?
Groundwater recharge is the process where water from rainfall or surface sources percolates down to refill underground aquifers.
Q24. Why is groundwater over-extraction a concern?
Over-extraction lowers water tables, dries wells, can cause land subsidence and reduces water for ecosystems and future use.
Q25. Explain the concept of rainwater harvesting.
Rainwater harvesting captures and stores rain from roofs or surfaces to use later, reducing pressure on groundwater and surface sources.
Q26. Give two causes of river pollution.
Sewage discharge and industrial effluents are major causes; agricultural runoff with pesticides also pollutes rivers.
Q27. What is a watershed and its importance?
A watershed is an area draining into a river or reservoir; managing it conserves soil, stores water and maintains downstream flow.
Q28. Name one technology that conserves water in agriculture.
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots, reducing wastage and improving water use efficiency.
Q29. How can treating wastewater help water conservation?
Treating and reusing wastewater for irrigation or industry reduces freshwater demand and prevents pollution of water bodies.
Q30. What role do wetlands play in water management?
Wetlands filter pollutants, store floodwaters, recharge groundwater and provide habitats for diverse species.
Topic 4 — Natural Vegetation (10 Questions)
Q31. Define natural vegetation.
Natural vegetation refers to plant communities that grow naturally in an area without human cultivation, shaped by climate and soil.
Q32. What are tropical evergreen forests?
Tropical evergreen forests are dense, multi-layered forests in high rainfall areas with rich biodiversity and year-round green cover.
Q33. Explain deciduous forests.
Deciduous forests shed leaves seasonally during dry or cold periods; they are widespread and support many economically important species.
Q34. What are thorn forests and where do they occur?
Thorn forests are dry-adapted vegetation with thorny shrubs and small trees, common in arid and semi-arid regions.
Q35. Why are mangroves ecologically significant?
Mangroves protect coasts from erosion, act as nurseries for fish, and trap sediments and pollutants, supporting coastal biodiversity.
Q36. How does vegetation prevent soil erosion?
Roots bind the soil, leaf litter protects the surface, and canopy reduces rain impact — collectively reducing erosion and runoff.
Q37. What is afforestation?
Afforestation is planting trees on lands that were not previously forested to increase tree cover and restore ecosystems.
Q38. How does community forestry help conservation?
Community forestry involves locals in management and benefits sharing, improving protection and sustainable use of forest resources.
Q39. Name one non-timber forest product and its use.
Honey is a non-timber product used as food and income source for local communities.
Q40. Suggest one measure to restore degraded forests.
Planting native tree species and controlling grazing can restore forest structure and biodiversity over time.
Topic 5 — Wildlife & Conservation (10 Questions)
Q41. What does biodiversity mean?
Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels in a region.
Q42. Give one major cause of species extinction.
Habitat loss due to land conversion and deforestation is a leading cause of species extinction.
Q43. What is poaching?
Poaching is illegal hunting or capture of wildlife, often for trade in skins, tusks or other animal parts.
Q44. How do wildlife sanctuaries differ from national parks?
Both protect wildlife, but national parks often have stricter protection and limited human activity compared to some sanctuaries where regulated human use may be allowed.
Q45. What are wildlife corridors and why are they needed?
Corridors connect fragmented habitats, allowing animals to move, find mates and access resources, reducing inbreeding and conflict.
Q46. Suggest one community action to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Creating and maintaining buffer zones with non-palatable crops and community vigilance can reduce crop raiding and conflict.
Q47. Name one international agreement that supports wildlife conservation.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulates trade in endangered flora and fauna to protect them.
Q48. How does pollution affect aquatic wildlife?
Pollution reduces oxygen levels, introduces toxins and destroys habitats, leading to declines in fish and other aquatic species.
Q49. Why is public participation important in conservation?
Public participation ensures local knowledge, compliance with rules and shared benefits, making conservation measures more effective and sustainable.
Q50. Give one simple action students can take to help conservation.
Students can plant native trees, participate in clean-up drives and spread awareness about protecting local resources.
These short answer questions are strictly aligned with the NCERT syllabus for CBSE Class 8 and are ideal for revision and quick practice before exams.