LAND, SOIL, WATER, NATURAL

VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE

• LAND
• MEANING- A NATURAL RESOURCE WHICH
COVERS THE EARTH’S SURFACE AND
HOUSES THE NATURAL FEATURES OF THE
EARTH, COUNTRIES AND CONTINENTS,
INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT BY HUMANS AND
THE ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS FLOURISHED
THERE. LAND IS A HARD SURFACE.
 FACTS ON LAND
• IT COVERS ONLY ABOUT 30% OF EARTH’S
TOTAL SURFACE
• 90% OF THE WORLD POPULATION OCCUPIES
ONLY 30% OF LAND AREA.
• REMAINING 70% OF THE LAND AREA IS
EITHER SPARSELY POPULATED OR
UNINHABITED.
• THE ABOVE FACTS ARE A PART OF
DISTRIBUTION OF LAND
• POPULATION OF THE WORLD IS UNEVENLY
DISTRIBUTED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE
EARTH
 FACTS ON UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION
OF POPULATION
• 1. DUE TO VARIESD CHARACTERISTICS OF
LAND AND CLIMATE.
• 2. RUGGED TOPOGRAPHY(SHAPE OF THE
LAND), STEEP SLOPESOF THE
MOUNTAINS,LOW-LYING AREAS
SUSCEPTIBLE(PRONE) TO WATER
LOGGING,DESERT AREAS,THICK FORESTES
AREAS ARE SPARSELY POPULATED OR
UNINHABITED
• 3. PLAINS AND RIVER VALLEY ARE HIGHLY OR
DENSELY POPULATED BECAUSE OF GOOD
AGRICULTURE.
 LAND USE
• MEANING- THE SYSTEM OF USING LAND
FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES.
• PURPOSES OF LAND USE- AGRICULTURE,
FORESTRY, MINING, BUILDING HOUSES,
ROADS, SETTING UP OF INDUSTRIES AND
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE.
 DETERMINANTS OF LAND USE
• MEANING- THOSE FACTORS WHICH
INFLUENCE THE USE OF LAND FOR
DIFFERENT PURPOSES.
1. PHYSICAL OR NATURAL FACTORS-
TOPOGRAPHY, TYPE OF SOIL, CLIMATE,
MINERALS, AND AVAILABILIY OF WATER.
2. HUMAN FACTORS- POPULATION AND
TECHNOLOGY
3. EXAMPLES OF LAND USE- CROPLAND,
PASTURE(GRASSLAND),FOREST, HUMAN
USE FOR DEVELOPMENT
 CLASSIFICATION OF LAND
• 1. COMMUNITY LAND OR COMMON
PROPERETY LAND- LAND WHICH IS FREE
AND OPEN FOR ALL PEOPLE FOR COMMON
USE LIKE COLLECTION OF FODDER, FRUITS,
NUTS OR MEDICINAL HERBS AND SO ON.
• 2. PRIVATE LAND- A LAND WHICH IS OWNED
BY AN INDIVIDUAL. THAT INDIVIDUAL WILL
HAVE HIS SOLE RIGHT ON HIS/HER LAND. NO
ONE ELSE CAN USE IT WITHOUT PERMISSION
OF THE OWNER.
 BURDEN OF RISING DEMAND FOR
LAND BY THE POPULATION
• DEMAND FOR LAND IS EVER GROWING BUT LAND
IS LIMITED
• PEOPLE HAVE STARTED ENCROACHING
(FORCEFULLY OCCUPYING) THE COMMUNITY LAND
TO BUILD UP COMMERCIAL AREAS IN THE TOWNS
AND CITIES AND FOR EXPANSION OF
AGRICULTURE IN THE RURAL AREAS.
• CHANGE IN THE GROWING LAND USE REFECTS
OUR CULTURAL CHANGES IN OUR SOCIETY
• LAND DEGRADATION, LANDSLIDES, SOIL
EROSION,DESERTIFICATION ARE THE THREATS OR
PROBLEMS THAT THE ENVIRONMENT FACES THESE
DAYS DUE TO MASSIVE AGRICULTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.
 SOIL EROSION
• MEANING
THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE TOP
SOIL IS WASHED AWAY OR DESTROYED
WHICH SEVERELY DAMAGES THE
FERTILITY OF SOIL AND THE SOIL
BECOMES UNSUITABLE FOR
CULTIVATION
 LAND DEGRADATION
• THE PROCESS OF GRADUAL INCREASE
OR DECREASE IN THE SHAPE OF THE
VARIOUS LANDFORMS BECAUSE OF
WHICH THE OUTLOOK OF THE LAND
CHANGES
 DESERTIFICATION
• THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE SOIL
LOSES IT VITAL NUTRIENTS,
MOISTURE IN THE SOIL AND THERE IS
A GRADUAL DEPLETION IN THE
GROUND WATER LEVEL.
• DUE TO DESERTIFICATION LAND
BECOMES UNSUITABLE FOR
CULTIVATION
 LANDSLIDES
• A GEOGRAPHICAL PROCESS BY WHICH
THE LAND ROLLS DOWNWARD FROM
HIGH ALTITUDES TO THE LAND SURFACE
DUE TO HEAVY RAINS, FLOODS AND
EARTHQUAKES. DUE TO LANDSLIDES
THERE WILL BE CHANGE
• IN THE SHAPE OF MOUNTAINS AND
RANGES.
• SUCH PHENOMENON OCCURS IN THE
HIGH ALTITUDES.
 CONSERVATION OF LAND
• MEANING : THE METHODS OF PROTECTING
THE LAND FROM ITS DEPLETION.
• METHODS OF CONSERVATION:
1. AFFORESTATION- INCREASING FOREST
COVER BY PLANTING MORE TREES.
2. LAND RECLAMATION- THE PROCESS OF
STRENGTHENING THE LAND
3. CONTROLLED USE OF CHEMICALS AND
FERTILIZERS
4. CHECKING THE OVERGRAZING OF GRASS BY
THE CATTLE AND OTHER ANIMALS
 MITIGATION MECHANISM FOR
LANDSLIDES
• MEANING: HOW TO PREVENT LANDSLIDES ?

METHODS OF MITIGATION-
• HAZARD MAPPING
• INCREASING VEGETATION COVER
• CONSTUCTION OF RETENTION WALLS
• SURFACE DRAINAGE CONTROL OF RAIN
WATER AND SPRING WATER
 MEANINGS
• HAZARD MAPPING-
• THE SYSTEM OF PREPARING THE
LOCAL MAP OF PLACES WHICH ARE
VERY VULNERABLE TO DIFFERENT
NATURAL DISASTERS SO THAT WE CAN
IDENTIFY SENSITIVE AREAS OF
DISASTER AND AVOID SUCH PLACES
TO BUILD HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND
SAVE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE
 MEANINGS
• RETENTION WALL-
• A STRONG AND CONCRETE WALL
WITH STONES BUILT ACROSS THE
SLOPES OF THE MOUNTAINS TO
PREVENT LOSS TO HUMAN LIVES
DURING A LANDSLIDE. A RETENTION
WALL HOLDS THE SURFACE OF A
SLOPE.
 MEANINGS
• VEGETATION COVER:
• TOTAL AREA OF THE LAND SURFACE
COVERED WITH NATURAL
VEGETATION LIKE FORESTS, SHRUBS
AND GRASSLANDS
 MEANINGS
• SURFACE DRAINAGE
• A NATURAL PHENOMENON BY WHICH
RAIN WATER AND FLOOD WATER
FLOW FROM HIGH ALTITUDE TO
LAND SURFACE AND ERODE THE
SURFACE OF THE MOUNTAINS IN THE
EVENT OF GUSHING OF WATER.
 SOIL
• MEANINNG
• SOIL IS A THIN LAYER OF GRAINY
SUBSTANCE COVERING THE SURFACE OF
THE EARTH. SOIL IS CLOSELY LINKED
WITH LAND. SOIL IS PRIMARILY FOR
CULTIVATION OF CROPS.
 ELEMENTS OR COMPOSITION
OF SOIL
• SOIL IS MADE UP OF:
• 1. WEATHERED ROCK
• 2. ORGANIC MATTER
• 3. MINERALS
• 4. HUMUS
 SOIL PROFILE
• MEANING
• THE PROCESS BY WHICH DIFFERENT LAYERS OF
THE SOIL IS FORMED IS CALLED SOIL PROFILE.
IT IS ALSO CALLED SOIL FAMILY.

• WEATHERING IS THE MAIN PROCESS OF SOIL

PROFILE
• MEANING OF WEATHERING: THE
GEOGRAPHICAL PROCESS BY WHICH LARGE
ROCKS BREAK UP INTO STONES, GRAVELS AND
ROCK PARTICLES DUE TO THE ROCK BEING
EXPOSED TO HIGH TEMPERATURE, RAINFALL,
FROST, SNOWFALL, ACTIONS OF THE PLANT
ROOTS, ANIMALS AND HUMAN ACTIVITY.
SOIL PROFILE(FIGURE 2.3)
• PARENT ROCK OR
BED ROCK
• WEATHERED ROCK
MATERIAL
• SUB SOIL
CONSISTING OF
SAND, SILT AND CLAY
• TOP SOIL
CONSISTING OF
MINERALS AND
ORGANIC MATERIALS
• HUMUS, A PART OF
THE TOPSOIL
CONSISTING OF
DECOMPOSED
MATERIALS.
 MEANINGS
• PARENT ROCK- THE SOLID ROCK IN THE
INTERIOR OF THE LITHOSPHERE
CONSIDERED AS THE BIRTH PLACE OF SOIL
• WEATHERED ROCK- THE PARENT ROCK
BROKEN INTO SMALL ROCKS DUE TO
PHYSICAL CHANGES OCCURING ON THE
EARTH FOR MANY YEARS
• SUB SOIL- THE WEATHERED ROCKS FURTHER
BREAKING INTO SMALLER PIECES CHANGING
INTO SAND, SILT AND CLAY.
• TOPSOIL- SUBSOIL FURTHER BREAKS INTO
SMALL MOLECULES CONSISTING OF ORGANIC
MATTER AND MINERALS.
 MEANINGS
• HUMUS: IT IS THE FINEST SUBSTANCE
CONSISTING OF ALL NUTIENTS,
MOISTURE, DECOMOPED REMAINS OF
THE DEAD ORGANISMS. HUMUS IS SEEN
ON THE TOP OF THE SOIL WITH GREEN
COVER OF NATURAL VEGETATIONS
CONSISTING OF PLANTS, HERBS, SHRUBS,
BUSHES, GRASSLANDS AND FORESTS.
 MEANINGS
• SAND: A LOOSE GRANULAR SUBSTANCE,
TYPICALLY PALE YELLOWISH BROWN,
RESULTING FROM THE EROSION OF
SILICEOUS(SILICON) AND OTHER ROCKS AND
FORMING A MAJOR CONSTITUENT OF
BEACHES, RIVER BEDS, THE SEABED, AND
DESERTS.
• SILT: IT IS A SOLID, DUST-LIKE SEDIMENT
THAT WATER, ICE, AND WIND TRANSPORT
AND DEPOSIT. SILT IS MADE UP OF ROCK AND
MINERAL PARTICLES THAT ARE LARGER THAN
CLAY BUT SMALLER THAN SAND.
INDIVIDUAL SILT PARTICLES ARE SO SMALL
THAT THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE.
• GENERALLY IT IS ALSO CALLED ALLUVIUM.
 MEANINGS
• CLAY- A STIFF, STICKY FINE-GRAINED
EARTH THAT CAN BE MOULDED WHEN
WET, AND IS DRIED AND BAKED TO MAKE
BRICKS, POTTERY, AND CERAMICS.
LOAMY SOIL OR LOAM(EXTRA)
• LOAM SOIL IS A MIXTURE OF SOIL THAT IS
THE IDEAL PLANT-GROWING MEDIUM. IT IS
ACTUALLY A COMBINATION SOIL, NORMALLY
EQUAL PARTS OF CLAY, SILT, AND SAND,
WHICH GIVES THE BENEFITS OF EACH WITH
FEW OF THE DISADVANTAGES. ...
SILT SOILS COME ABOUT HALFWAY BETWEEN
CLAY AND SANDY SOILS SO SILT SOILS HELP
CLAY AND SAND TO MIX WELL.
•
FACTORS AFFECTING SOIL
FORMATION(FIGURE 2.4)
 FLORA AND FAUNA
• FLORA • FAUNA
• 1. IT REFERS TO THE • 1. IT REFERS TO THE
PLANT LIFE THAT CAN ANIMAL LIFE THAT
BE FOUND IN A CAN BE FOUND IN A
PARTICULAR AREA. PARTICULAR AREA.
• 2. FLORA REMAINS IN • 2. FLORA CAN MOVE
ONE PLACE FROM ONE PLACE TO
• 3. FLORA CAN PREPARE ANOTHER PLACE
THEIR OWN FOOD • 3. FAUNA DEPENDS
• 4. FLORA IS STUDIED IN ON FLORA FOR
BOTANY. FOOD.
• 4. FAUNA IS STUDIED
IN ZOOLOGY.
 TYPES OF SOIL(EXTRA
INFORMATION)
• 1. ALLUVIAL SOIL
• 2. RED SOIL
• 3. BLACK/ COTTON SOIL
• 4. LATERITE SOIL
• 5. DESERT SOIL
• 6. MOUNTAIN SOIL
 SOIL TYPES IN INDIA( EXTRA
INFORMATION)
• ALLUVIAL SOILS,
• BLACK SOILS,
• RED SOILS,
• LATERITE AND
LATERITIC SOILS,
• FOREST AND
MOUNTAIN SOILS,
• ARID AND DESERT
SOILS,
• SALINE AND ALKALINE
SOILS AND
• PEATY AND MARSHY
SOILS.
 SOIL DEGRADATION
• MEANING- THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE
LEVEL OF SOIL IS DESTROYED BOTH IN
QUANTITY AND QUALITY

• TWO TYPES OF SOIL DEGRADATION:

• 1. SOIL EROSION
• 2. SOIL DEGRADATION
• 3. SOIL POLLUTION
 MEANINGS
• SOIL EROSION:
A GEOGRAPHICAL PROCESS BY WHICH
THE TOPSOIL GETS WASHED AWAY DUE TO
THE ACTIONS OF THE FLOODWATER,
RUNNING WATER, DEFORESTATION AND
HUMAN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS
CONSTRUCTIONS, MINING AND
INDUSTRIALISATION.
• SOIL DEGRADATION:
• A GEOGRAPHICAL PROCESS BY WHICH
THE LEVEL OF THE SOIL GETS DECREASED.
BASICALLY SOIL DEGARDATION HAPPENS
DUE TO SOIL EROSION
 MEANING
• SOIL POLLUTION
• THE PPROCESS BY WHICH DIFFERENT
POLLUTANTS/CONTAMINANTS
CONTAMINATE THE QUALITY OF THE SOIL
ESPECIALLY THE HUMUS. BECAUSE OF
THIS PROCESS, SOIL BECOMES UNFIT FOR
HUMAN USE.
• SOIL POLLUTANTS- INDUSTRIAL
EFFLUENTS, CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND
PESTICIDES, DISEASED ORGANIC MATTER
 CAUSES OF SOIL DEGRADATION
• DEFORESTATION
• OVERGRAZING
• OVERUSE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND
PESTICIDES
• RAIN WASH
• LANDSLIDES
• FLOODS
• HUMAN ACTIVITIES
 SOIL CONSERVATION
• MEANING
• THIS REFERS TO THE
DIFFERENT METHODS BY
WHICH WE CAN PREVENT SOIL
DEGADATION
MULCHING
• THE OPEN
GROUND BETWEEN
ROWS OF PLANTS IS
COVERED WITH A
LAYER OF ORGANIC
MATTER LIKE
STRAW TO RETAIN
THE MOISTURE IN
THE SOIL.
CONTOUR BARRIERS
 CONTOUR BARRIERS
• STONES, GRASS, SOIL ARE USED TO
BUILD BARIERS ALONG THE
CONTOURS(MOUNTAINS WITH EQUAL
HEIGHTS)
• EVEN TRENCHES ARE MADE IN FRONT
OF THE BARRIERS TO COLLECT WATER
ROCK DAMS
• ROCKS ARE PILED UP TO
REDUCE THE SPEED OF
THE FLOWING WATER.
THIS PREVENTS IN THE
FORMATION OF GULLIES
(A landform created by
running water, eroding
sharply into soil, typically
on hillside. Gullies
• resemble large ditches or
small valleys,
but are metres to tens of
metres in depth and
width.)
DESERT GULLIES AND MONTAIN
GULLIES(EXTRA)
RIVERINE GULLIES OR RAVINES
EXAMPLE- CHAMBAL
BADLANDS(EXTRA)
TERRACE FARMING
• BROAD AND FLAT
STEPS OR
TERRACES ARE
MADE ON THE
STEEP SLOPES RO
THAT THEY CAN BE
MADE INTO FLAT
SURFACES TO
GROW CROPS.
INTERCROPPING
• THE SYSTEM OF
DIFFERENT CROPS
GROWN IN
ALTERNATE ROWS
AND ARE SOWN AT
DIFFERENT TIMES
TO PREVENT RAIN
WASH
CONTOR PLOUGHING
• PLOUGHING
PARALLEL TO THE
CONTOURS OF A
HILL SLOPE TO
FORM A NATURAL
BARRIER OF WATER
TO FLOW DOWN
THE SLOPE.
SHELTER BELTS
• ROWS OF TREES
ARE PLANTED IN
THE COASTAL AND
DRY REGIONS TO
CHECK THE WIND
MOVEMENT TO
PROTECT SOIL
COVER
 WATER
• MEANING:
• A NATURAL RESOURCE FOND ON THE
PLANET EARTH IN THE LIQUID FORM
MAKING IT SUITABLE FOR DRINKING,
IRRIGATION, INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES AND
DOMESTIC NEEDS LIKING WASHING,
CLEANING, BATHING.
• THE SCIENTIFIC FORMULA OF WATER IS
H2O.
• WATER IS CALLED THE ELIXIR(AMRUT) OF
LIFE
 UNIVERSAL FACTS ABOUT WATER
• IT IS A RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCE
• 3/4TH OF THE EARTH IS COVERED WITH WATER. HENCE
EARTH IS CALLED A BLUE PLANET.
• LIFE BEGAN IN THE OCEANS ALMOST 3.5 BILLIONNS
YEARS AGO.
• OCEANS COVER ABOUT 2/3RD OF THE EARTH
• OCEAN WATER IS SALINE(SALTY) AND NOT FIT FOR
USE.
• THE PERCENT OF TOTAL FRESH WATER IS ABOUT 2.7%
• 70% OF FRESH WATER OCCURS IN ICE SHEETS AND
GLACIERS IN ANTARCTICA
• ONLY 1% OF THE FRESH WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN THE
FORM OF GROUND WATER, SURFACE WATER AND
WATER VAPOUR IS FIT FOR HUMAN USE
• TOTAL VOLUME OF WATER REMAINS CONSTANT.
• WATER IS FORMED BY A WATER CYCLE
 WATER CYCLE OR
HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE
• IT IS A PROCESS OF
WATER MOVING IN A
CONSTANT MOTION,
CYCLING THROUGH
OCEANS,THE AIR
,THE LAND AND
BACK AGAIN
THROUGH A
PROCES OF
EVAPORATION,
CONDENSATION,
PRECIPITATION AND
RUN-OFF.
 UNIVERSAL FACTS ABOUT WATER
• A DRIPPING TAP WASTES 1200 LITRES OF
WATER IN A YEAR.
• AN AVERAGE URBAN INDIAN USES ABOUT 213
LITRES OF WATER EVERYDAY.
• MANKIND USES WATER FOR DRINKING,
WASHING, AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRIAL
PURPOSES AND FOR ELECTRICITY
GENERATION. (USES OF WATER)
• SCIENTISTS PREDICT THAT THERE MAYBE A
WORLD WAR IN FUTURE ONLY FOR FOOD
AND WATER AS THE MANKIND IS FACING
SCARCITY OF WATER.
• PEOPLE OF AMRELI VILLAGE IN GUJARAT
WITH A POPULATION OF 1.25 LAKHS BUY
WATER FOR THEIR DAILY USE.
 PROBLEMS OF WATER
AVAILABILITY
• CAUSES:
1. DRYING UP OF WATER BODIES DUE TO
GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATIC CHANGE
2. INCREASING POPULATION DEMANDS MORE
WATER IN DAY TO DAY LIFE
3. RISING DEMAND FOR FOOD AND CASH
CROPS NEED MORE WATER FOR IRRIGATION
4. SIZE OF THE CITIES IS EXPANDING RAPIDLY
5. OUR STANDARDS OF LIVING IS RISING.
6. GROWING POLLUTION OF SURFACE WATER.
7. DISCHARGE OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS AND
CONTAMINANTS INTO WATER BODIES.
 CONSERVATION OF WATER
RESOURCES
• METHODS OF CONSERVING WATER
1) INCREASE VEGETATION COVER BY LANTING
MORE TREES
2) ORGANISE SOCIAL AWARENESS ON SAVING
WATER IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIFE
3) USE POTABLE WATER IN DAILY WATER
4) USE DRIP IRRIGATION METHOD AND THE
SPRINKLERS IN AGRICULTURPROPER LINING
OF CANALS IN THE AGRICULTURAL FIELDS
TO REDUCE THE SEEPAGE AND
EVAPORATION OF WATER
5) USE RAIN WATER HARVESTING METHOD TO
STORE THE SURFACE RUN OFF.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
 NATURAL VEGETATION AND
WILDLIFE(FLORA AND FAUNA)
• IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL VEGETATION
( FLORA)
1) PLANTS PROVIDE US TIMBER AND WOOD.
2) PLANTS GIVE SHELTER TO ANIMALS
3) PLANTS PRODUCE OXYGEN TO BREATHE DURING THE
PROCESS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.
4) PLANTS PROTECT THE SOIL FROM EROSION.
5) THE ROOTS OF THE PLANTS HOLD THE SOIL.
6) PLANTS ACT AS SHELTER BELTS
7) 7. PLANTS HELP IN SORING UNDERGROUND WATER
8) PLANTS GIVE US FRUITS, NUTS, LATEX, TURPENTINE
OIL,GUM AND MEDICINAL HERBS AND PAPER.
IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE(FAUNA)
1) WILDLIFE INCLUDES ANIMALS, BIRDS,
INSECTS AND AQUATIC ANIMALS.
2) THEY PROVIDE US MILK, MEAT,HIDES AND
WOOL.
3) INSECTS PROVIDE US HONEY AND HELP IN
POLLINATION OF FLOWERS
4) BIRDS PLAY THE ROLE OF DECOMPOSERS.
THEYY FEED ON INSECTS AND ACT AS
DECOMPOSERS
5) VULTURE FEEDS ON DEAD LIVESTOCK IS A
NATURAL SCAVANZER AND CLEANSER OF
THE ENVIRONMENT.
6) ANIMALS ARE INSEPARABLE FROM THE
PLANTS IN MAINTAINING THE ECOSYSTEM.
IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE
TRANSPORTERS OF
NATURAL SCAVANZER POLLINATION
 EXISTENCE OF FLORA AND FAUNA
• FLORA AND FAUNA EXIST(LIVE) IN
BIOSPHEREWITH CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
WITH EACH OTHER CALLED ECOSYSTEM
• BIOSPHERE: IT IS A NARROW ZONE ON THE
EARTH WHERE LITHOSPERE, ATMOSPHERE
AND HYDROSPHERE COME IN CONTACT
WITH EACH OTHER.
• ECOSYSTEM: IT IS THE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
WHERE THE FLORA AND FAUNA ARE
INTERDEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER IN
BALANCING THE FOOD CHAIN. SO THE
INTERACTION BETWEEN THE FLORA AND
FAUNA IS CALLED ECOSYSTEM
DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEM
MARINE FOREST
ECOSYSTEM ECOSYSTEM
BIOSPHERE
 DISTRIBUTION OF NATURAL
VEGETATION
• TYPES OF NATURAL VEGETATION:
1) FORESTS
2) GRASSLANDS
3) SHRUBS AND BUSHES
4) TUNDRA
FACORS INFLUENCING THE NATURAL
VEGETATION:
a) TEMPERATURE
b) RAINFALL
c) MOISTURE
 MEANINGS
• FORESTS- FOREST IS A PIECE OF LAND
WITH MANY TREES. MANY ANIMALS
NEED FORESTS TO LIVE AND
SURVIVE. FORESTS ARE VERY
IMPORTANT AND GROW IN MANY
PLACES AROUND THE WORLD. THEY
ARE AN ECOSYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES
MANY PLANTS AND ANIMALS.
 GRASSLANDS
• MEANING-
• GRASSLAND, AREA IN WHICH
THE VEGETATION IS DOMINATED BY A
NEARLY CONTINUOUS COVER OF
GRASSES. GRASSLANDS OCCUR IN
ENVIRONMENTS CONDUCIVE TO THE
GROWTH OF THIS PLANT COVER BUT
NOT TO THAT OF TALLER PLANTS,
PARTICULARLY TREES AND SHRUBS.
 SHRUBS AND BUSHES
• MEANING:
• A SHRUB OR BUSH IS A SMALL TO
MEDIUM-SIZED WOODY PLANT. IT IS
DISTINGUISHED FROM A TREE BY ITS
MULTIPLE STEMS AND SHORTER HEIGHT,
USUALLY UNDER 6 M (20 FT) TALL.
• AN AREA OF CULTIVATED SHRUBS IN A
PARK OR A GARDEN IS KNOWN AS A
SHRUBBERY.
TUNDRA
• TUNDRA IS A LEVEL OR
ROLLING TREELESS
PLAIN THAT IS MOSTLY
FOUND IN ARCTIC AND
SUBARCTIC REGIONS,
CONSISTS OF BLACK
MUCKY SOIL WITH A
PERMANENTLY FROZEN
SUBSOIL, AND HAS A
DOMINANT
VEGETATION OF
MOSSES, LICHENS,
HERBS, AND DWARF
SHRUBS ALSO : A
SIMILAR REGION
CONFINED TO
MOUNTAINOUS AREAS
ABOVE TIMBERLINE.
 FACORS INFLUENCING THE
NATURAL VEGETATION:
• PLACES WITH RAINFALL/HEAVY
MOISTURE:
• FORESTS
FACORS INFLUENCING THE NATURAL
• PLACES WITH MODERATE RAINFALL:
VEGETATION:

• GRASS LANDS
• PLACES WITH SCANTY RAINFALL:
• SHRUBS AND THORNY BUSHES
• PLACES WITH PERMANENT SNOW AND ICE:
• TUNDRA
 TYPES OF FORESTS
EVERGREEN OR RAINFORESTS DECIDUOUS FORESTS
• FOUND IN THE PLACES • FOUND IN PLCES WITH
WITH ABUNDANT RAIN HIGH TO MODERATE
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. RAINFALL
• TREES DO NOT SHED • TREES SHED THEIR
THEIR LEAVES LEAVES IN A PARTICULAR
SEASON TO CONSERVE
• LEAVES ARE BROAD, MOISTURE.
GLOSSY AND THICK. • THESE FORESTS HOUSE
• THESE FORESTS HOUSE VARIOUS WILD ANIMALS
VARIOUS REPTILES, BOTH CARNIVORES AND
FROGS, INSECTS, HERBIVORES AND
MAMMALS AND WILD REPTILES
ANIMALS • EXAMPLE- FORESTS OF
• EXAMPLE- PERIYAR CENTRAL INDIA AND IN
THE DECCAN PLATEAU
FORESTS OF KERALA
 TWO FAMILIES OF NATURAL
VEGETATIONS
• EVERGREEN FORESTS:
• TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE
• DECIDUOUS FORESTS:
• TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE
• GRASSLANDS:
• TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE
• TUNDRA:
• ARCTIC&SUB-ARCTIC OR POLAR TUNDRA
• HIGH MOUNTAINS BEYOND THE
TIMBERLINE/ALPINE TUNDRA
EVERGREEN FORESTS
TROPICAL TEMPERATE
DECIDUOUS FORESTS
TROPICAL TEMPERATE
 GRASSLANDS
TROPICAL TEMPERATE
FOREST FIRES
WILDFIRE, ALSO
CALLED FOREST, BUSH OR
VEGETATION FIRE, CAN BE
DESCRIBED AS ANY
UNCONTROLLED AND NON-
PRESCRIBED COMBUSTION
OR BURNING OF PLANTS IN
A NATURAL SETTING SUCH
AS A FOREST, GRASSLAND,
BRUSH LAND OR TUNDRA,
WHICH CONSUMES THE
NATURAL FUELS AND
SPREADS BASED ON
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS (E.G., WIND,
TOPOGRAPHY).
 CAUSES OF FOREST FIRES
• THE MAJOR CAUSE OF FOREST FIRES IN
THE UNITED STATES IS HUMAN
ACTIVITIES. THIS CAN BE CARELESSNESS
SUCH AS NOT PUTTING OUT A CAMPFIRE
OR DROPPING A LIT CIGARETTE. ...
MOST FIRES THAT ARE STARTED BY
NATURAL CAUSES ARE STARTED BY
LIGHTNING. OTHER
NATURAL CAUSES INCLUDE VOLCANIC
ERUPTIONS AND SPARKS FROM FALLING
ROCKS.
 EFFECTS OF FOREST FIRES
• FOREST FIRES INCREASE CARBON
DIOXIDE LEVELS IN THE
ATMOSPHERE, CONTRIBUTING TO
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT AND
CLIMATE CHANGE. IN ADDITION,
ASHES DESTROY MUCH OF THE
NUTRIENTS AND ERODE THE SOIL,
CAUSING FLOODING AND
LANDSLIDES.
 HOW TO PREVENT FOREST FIRES
• COMPLY WITH ALL FIRE RESTRICTIONS.
BEFORE YOU BURN, CHECK WITH LOCAL
AUTHORITIES ABOUT ANY FIRE.
RESTRICTIONS THAT MAY BE IN EFFECT. .
• DON'T LEAVE A FIRE UNSUPERVISED.
• BE ABLE TO PUT OUT A FIRE.
• IF YOU SMOKE, BE RESPONSIBLE.
• OBSERVE THE WEATHER.
• QUICKLY CALL FOR HELP.
• PREVENT FIRE BY EDUCATING THE
COMMUNITY.
CONSERVATION OF FLORA AND
FAUNA
• NATIONAL PARKS
• A NATIONAL PARK IS A PARK USED FOR
CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND
WILDLIFE PURPOSES. OFTEN IT IS A
RESERVE OF NATURAL, SEMI-NATURAL,
OR DEVELOPED LAND THAT A
SOVEREIGN STATE DECLARES OR OWNS.
EXAMPLE: KAZHIRANGA NATIONAL
PARK FOR RHINOCEROUS
 WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
• WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, IS A NATURAL HABITAT,
OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE
AGENCY, THAT SAFEGUARDS PARTICULAR SPECIES
OF BIRDS AND ANIMALS.
• WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES ARE PROTECTED
NATURAL HABITATS, DECLARED BY THE
GOVERNMENT OF A COUNTRY ACCORDING TO THE
REGULATIONS FROM THE IUCN (THE WORLD
CONSERVATION UNION) TO PRESERVE
THE WILDLIFE THROUGH CONSERVATION OF
ECOSYSTEMS.
• EXAMPLE: GHANA BIRD SANCTUARY OF
BHARATPUR, RAJASTHAN
 zoo
• ALSO CALLED ZOOLOGICAL
GARDEN. ZOO IS A PARK LIKE AREA IN
WHICH LIVE ANIMALS ARE KEPT IN
CAGES OR LARGE ENCLOSURES FOR
PUBLIC EXHIBITION.
• THERE IS A TREND TOWARD GIVING
ANIMALS MORE SPACE AND RECREATING
NATURAL HABITATS. ZOOS ARE USUALLY
REGULATED AND INSPECTED BY THE
GOVERNMENT.
• EXAMPLE: INDIRA GANDHI ZOOLOGICAL
PARK, VISAKHAPATNAM.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ZOO AND
A SANCTUARY
• ZOO IS A PLACE WHERE ANIMALS AND BIRDS ARE IN CAPTIVITY OF
ARTIFICIALLY CREATED HABITAT. A SANCTUARY IS THE NATURAL
HABITAT OF WILD ANIMALS AND BIRDS.
• 2. THE PUBLIC CAN SEE ANIMALS AND BIRDS IN THEIR CAPTIVITY
WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS IN A ZOO. BUT PEOPLE CANNOT
THRONG A SANCTUARY OF THEIR OWN AND THEY HAVE TO GO
THROUGH CERTAIN PROCEDURES.
• 3. WHEN THE ANIMALS AND BIRDS ARE KEPT INSIDE CAGES OR OPEN
ENCLOSURES IN A ZOO, THE ANIMALS AND BIRDS IN A SANCTUARY
LIVE A NATURAL AND NORMAL LIFE.
• 4. IN A ZOO, THE ANIMALS ARE NOT FREE TO ROAM ABOUT AS THEY
LIKE. BUT IN A SANCTUARY, THEY CAN FREELY ROAM ABOUT AS THE
PLACE IS THEIR NATURAL HABITAT
 BIOSPHERE RESERVES
• BIOSPHERE RESERVES ARE THE EXTENDED
PROTECTED LAND MEAN AT FOR THE
CONSERVATION OF WILD ANIMALS AND
PLANTS. IT IS ALSO MEANT TO RESTORE THE
TRADITIONAL LIFE OF THE TRIBALS
RESIDING IN THE AREA.
• BIOSPHERE RESERVES HELP ENSURE THE
ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL
SUSTAINABILITY OF THE REGION, BY
ENCOURAGING WISE USE OF NATURAL AND
HUMAN RESOURCES. THEY PROVIDE
PRACTICAL WAYS TO RESOLVE LAND USE
CONFLICTS AND TO PROTECT BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY.
• EXAMPLE: SUNDARBANS IN WEST BENGAL.
 MEANINGS
CREEK • WETLAND
• LAND OR AREAS (SUCH AS
MARSHES OR SWAMPS)
• A NATURAL STREAM OF THAT ARE COVERED OFTEN
WATER SMALLER THAN A INTERMITTENTLY WITH
SHALLOW WATER OR HAVE
RIVER (AND OFTEN A SOIL SATURATED WITH
TRIBUTARY OF A RIVER) MOISTURE.
EXAMPLE- VASAI CREEK • COMMON NAMES
OF MAHARASTRA. IT IS FOR WETLANDS INCLUDE
ALSO THE TRIBUTARY OF MARSHES, ESTUARIES,
RIVER ULHAS MANGROVES, MUDFLATS,
MIRES, PONDS, FENS,
SWAMPS, DELTAS, CORAL
REEFS, BILLABONGS,
LAGOONS, SHALLOW SEAS,
BOGS, LAKES, AND
FLOODPLAINS
• EXAMPLES- KOLLERU LAKE,
CHILKA LAKE
FACTORS CAUSING EXTINCTION OF
FLORA AND FAUNA
1) POACHING AND HUNTING OF WILDLIFE FOR
COMMERCIAL USE.
2) DEFORESTATION ACTIVITY OF MANKIND
FOR COLLECTION OF WOOD, TIMBER AND
OTHER VALUABLE FOREST PRODUCTS
3) MINING AND INDUSTRIALIZATION
4) GROWING TOURISM ENDANGERS THE
ECOSYSTEM
5) NEGLIGENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT IN
CONSERVATION ACTIVITES.
6) THERE IS NO CHECKING ON ILLEGAL
ACTIVITIES
7) RADIOACTIVE SIGNALS FROM CELL TOWERS.
 HOW TO PROTECT THE
ENDANGERED FLORA AND FAUNA
1) BY CREATING AWARENES PROGRAMME LIKE
VANAMAHOTSAVA AT REGIONAL AND
COMMUNITY LEVELS
2) ORGANISING BIRD WATCHING AND NATURE
CAMPS FOR CHILDREN
3) PASSING STRINGENT LAWS TOWARDS
CRIMES AGAINST NATURE.
4) INCREASING THE NUMBER OF NATIONAL
PARKS, SANCTUARIES AND BIOSPHERE
RESERVES.
5) PROTECTING THE LIVES OF THE FOREST
DWELLERS.
 ACTIVITY FOR YOU
• COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE
INTERNATIONAL BODY CITES AND
KNOW ABOUT ITS ACTIVITIES.
• END OF LESSON