CBSE i

CLASS VII GEOGRAPHY

STUDENTS MANUAL

UNIT: I - LAND RESOURCES

CONTENT
Land as a resource, land use , land
utilization patterns
Land degradation and conservation
methods
Soil formation, soil types , causes of soil
degradation , soil conservation

CBSE i
CLASS VII GEOGRAPHY
STUDENTS MANUAL

UNIT: I - LAND RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION
Earth is a unique planet in our solar system. It has many favourable conditions suitable for
the growth and development of humans, animals and plants.
Anything on earth that is necessary for human survival and satisfies human needs is called a
resource
Natural resources are the resources that we get from nature
Land, soil and water are the three important natural resources. The entire system depends on
these resources directly or indirectly.
All these resources are finite that is they are limited in supply. Therefore we need to utilise
these resources in the best possible way, ensuring maximum benefits with minimal waste. If
we overuse or misuse them, a time soon will come when life on earth will be impossible.
Let us see how these resources are distributed on the surface of the earth and their pattern of
use.
LAND RESOURCES
Land resources meet many human needs. In fact, they provide the base for life and are the
building blocks for development
Let us outline why land is considered such a major resource

Land is used to build homes , transportation lines and other requirements of a human
settlement

Agriculture, forestry, animal rearing, mining industrial and other economic activities
all develop on land, therefore, land yields food, raw materials and gives us a source
of income

Land provides us with many scenic spots that humans utilise for recreation and
enjoyment.

Only 30 percent of the earths surface is land. Of this land, only a fraction is habitable by
humans, the rest is made of vast deserts, dense forests and rugged mountains. The rocky
slopes of the mountains , low-lying areas prone to flooding during rainy seasons, dry and
sandy desert areas, regions covered by continental and mountain glaciers and thick forested

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areas are generally sparsely populated or uninhabited . In fact 90 percent of the worlds
population lives on just 30 percent of the land area.
Explore some more........
30 % of the earths land is occupied by 90 % of its people. Can you think just where this is?
CLASSIFICATION OF LAND
Land can be classified in many ways

On the basis of relief as plains, plateaus, and mountains

On the basis of soil fertility as barren and fertile land

On the basis of development of that area as rural and urban land

On the basis of ownership of land as private land and community or government land.

On the basis of the use we put it to arable land (i.e., land which is suitable for crop
production), pasture land (land used for grazing animals) , forest (land connected with
forest), fallow (land which can be cultivated , but has been left unused for the season),
cultivable waste (land which can be cultivated but which has been lying fallow for
more than five years)

LAND USE
Land as we know is used for different purposes such as cultivation of crops, forestry, grazing
livestock, construction of buildings, houses, canals and for mining and manufacturing. The
different uses that land is put to are commonly referred to as land use.
The pattern of land use varies from one region to another. It may also vary within region
overtime. Increase in the population in many parts of the world has converted large parts of
the forests into croplands, agricultural lands into urban residential areas, commercial
complexes and industrial areas.
Different factors are responsible for the changes in the land use pattern of a country or a
region at a given time. The land use, in any part of the world, depends on Physical factors
and Human factors

CBSE i
CLASS VII GEOGRAPHY
STUDENTS MANUAL
PHYSICAL FACTORS

Topography

Climate

Soil

Physical
Factors
Distribution
of rocks
and
minerals

Water

These also include aspects like

slope of the land,

elevation and extent of temperature and precipitation,

Presence or absence of soil cover,

availability of surface and ground water,

Nature of rocks and minerals.

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CLASS VII GEOGRAPHY
STUDENTS MANUAL
HUMAN FACTORS

Population
distribution

Government
Policy

Human
Factors

Land Tenure

Development
in Science &
Technology

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CLASS VII GEOGRAPHY
STUDENTS MANUAL
After observing the table we understand the pattern of land utilization is different in different
parts of the world, if we observe Brazil has 66 percent of forest cover whereas India has 57
percent under cropland.
Now let us study the map below on land utilization in the world.

It is observed that fertile river valleys and plains are the most populated areas of the world
especially in tropical and subtropical regions of the world because they are suited to
agriculture. Over 66 percent of the world population is concentrated in subtropical and
multitude zones. 50 percent of the worlds population lives in the urban areas and the figure
is expected to go up.
These urban areas need more land for settlements, setting up of industries and other purposes
which increase the pressure on the land. As a result, more and more agricultural land is
getting converted into urban colonies. The exploration of minerals and forest resources, oil
and natural gases, development of canal irrigation etc have dramatically affected land- use.

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CLASS VII GEOGRAPHY
STUDENTS MANUAL
LAND DEGRADATION
Land degradation refers to the decline in productivity of cultivated land. Generally, land
degradation results from unsuitable and unscientific land use.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR LAND DEGRADATION

Overgrazing is the grazing of natural pastures at shocking intensities above the livestock
carrying capacity; the resulting decrease in the vegetation cover is a leading cause of wind
and water erosion. It is a significant factor in Afghanistan.

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CLASS VII GEOGRAPHY
STUDENTS MANUAL
Agricultural activities that can cause land degradation include Shifting cultivation
without adequate fallow periods, absence of soil conservation measures, fertilizer use, and
a host of possible problems arising from faulty planning or management of irrigation.
They are a major factor in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and in north-eastern parts of India.
Establishment of industries and urbanization

URBANIZATION

INDUSTRIALIZATION

In recent years industrial effluents and wastes have become causes of land and water
pollution in several parts of India.

Mining and industry are two important activities of man which cause degradation of land.
Mining leads to degradation of land.

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CLASS VII GEOGRAPHY
STUDENTS MANUAL

With geometric precision, a Maryland mining operation works to extract minerals. Mining
takes place on the Earth's surface, as seen here, as well as underground. While technology
has improved mining technology, there are still human and environmental costs involved.

The mineral processing like grinding of lime stone for cement industry and calcite and
soapstone for ceramic industry generates heavy amount of dust and releases it in the
atmosphere. It latter on settles down in the surrounding areas affecting infiltration of
water and crop cultivation.
Deforestation and careless management of forests.

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Over irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water logging, leading to
increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.

Desertification - is the degradation of land in any dry lands. Caused by a variety of

factors, such as climate change and human activities, desertification is one of the most
significant global environmental problems.

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CAUSES FOR LAND DEGRADATION IN ASIA-PACIFIC

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CONSERVATION OF LAND RESOURCES

With a land area of 29.2 percent all over the earth, we humans need to plan our land use very
carefully and skilfully. We need to conserve our lands for the future generations. Land must
be planned properly to provide best results.
Suitable methods should be adopted:
Check soil erosion
Check desertification
Control water logging of soil
Aforestation
Land reclamation
Regulated use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers
Check on overgrazing
Reclaim wastelands so that they are bought back to other uses

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Increase productivity of the land with improved farming methods such as balanced use of
manures and fertilizers, organic farming, regulated irrigation, crop rotation and multiple
cropping.
Every bit of land must be utilised in the best possible way, with the least harm to the
natural environment. We must ensure that this delicate resource does not get converted in
to badlands.

NOT ONLY A TREE IS CUT DOWN

HUMUS represents the very dark organic material that is noticeable at the surface of most
soils. It is renewed by leaf fall and root decay.
SOIL RESOURCE
Of all the land resources, soil is our prime resource. The plants that grow on the Earths land
areas could not exist without the thin, loose, surface layer that we call soil. It is important to
us because:

Plant, animal and human life, are directly dependent on soil.

Besides food, fibres that provide us with clothing and other products of daily life are also
grown on soil.

It takes but a moment for us to dig up a spade full of garden soil, but it has taken the
processes of nature countless centuries to create it. The first step in soil building is the
weathering of rocks to form the regolith- an accumulation of rock debris above the bedrock.
Once living organisms like mosses and lichens become active in this layer, they combine
with the mineral matter in the rock debris to form soil. Soils are therefore composed of
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minerals and organic substances. As the soil develops, more and more living organisms
especially plants grow on the upper layer and then die. They decompose within the soil and
layer of humus develops.
Soil contains not only organic but also inorganic substances. Organic materials include
plant and animal decay, which is the humus, the higher the amount of organic material or
humus, the higher is the fertility of the soil. Inorganic materials include varieties of salts
such as nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, phosphorous, calcium, and iron derived
from the bedrock.
SOIL PROFILE
Suppose you cut a slice of soil like you would cut a
slice of a cake, you will see various layers in the
soil. These layers are called soil horizons. The
manner in which these horizons are arranged in soil
is known as a soil profile. The soil profile is
different in different places. The main layers or
horizons in the soil are

Top soil (A): This layer is dark in colour, has a

fine texture, has a high content of organic matter
(or humus) and is vital for plant growth.

Sub soil (B): This layer is just below the top

soil. It consists of sand, silt and clay, but has
only minor amounts of organic matter.

Parent material (C): This horizon usually

consists of unconsolidated rock a trial from which the A and B Layers have been formed.
This zone has no humus nor does it have any soil structures.

Bedrock (D): This layer lies at the depth below the C Horizon and consists of a solid
rock.
Soil formation is controlled by the following factors

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Factors affecting soil formation

NATURE OF
THE PARENT
ROCK

TIME

TOPOGRAPHY

CLIMATE

LIVING
ORGANISMS

Nature of the parent rock: The parent rock determines the basic characteristics of
Soil. The inorganic elements and minerals a soil contains will be similar to those
contained in the parent rock. For example, if sandstone was the parent rock, the soil
will be sandy, while shale gives rise to clayey soil.

Time: The nature of the soil depends on the length of time that the parent materials
have been exposed to weathering and have supported vegetation. The longer the time
a soil takes to form, the more mature it will be.

Topography: Third factor influencing soil formation is the topography. If the land is
hilly, the soil will be washed down as fast as it forms. Such areas have thin,
immature soils. Low flat plains in contrast, promote soil formation and development.
These areas have a thick, mature soil cover; a good drainage system also brings
about chemical changes in the soil.

Climate: Developing soils are influenced most by climate. Temperature and

moisture influence the rate of physical and chemical weathering and so determine
the rate of soil formation. Decomposition of organic matter in the soil is also
influenced by climate .The climate also dictates the kind of vegetation that will
contribute to the organic constituents of the soil.

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Living organisms: like earthworms, are important in aerating the soil they burrow
through it. Roots of plants also aerate the soil, while holding it in place thereby
checking soil erosion.

SOIL TYPES
Soils are classified on the basis of colour, texture, fertility, mineral content, etc. Climate and
vegetation mainly determine the
distribution of soil types in the
world.

Regions of Perpetual snow

and ice are characterised by
infertile tundra soils. The
frozen subsoil makes the
topsoil shallow and poorly
drained.

South of the tundra , in the cool , humid coniferous forest belt , the needles from the
trees fall to the ground and decay slowly to create an acidic , greyish soil, known as
PODSOLS or PODZOL , Russian for alkaline ashes, they become fertile with careful
management .

In the warm temperate lands with more humid climates, grey, brown, forest pod sol soils
develop, these are fertile soils

Red and yellow pod sol soils are found in milder climates. They have limited matter and
are less fertile.

Prairie soils are blackened by the mass of grass roots and are called black earths
or Chernozems in the Russian steppes. They are extremely fertile.

Soils are called Latsols or laterites occur in the tropics and subtropics, where they are
high temperatures and heavy rains. Iron in these soils causes it to have a red or yellow
colour.

Sandy desert soils are typical of arid regions. Containing little organic matter, they are
light yellowish and not fertile.

Mountain and hilly areas show no fixed pattern of soil. Here soils are generally thin and
immature.
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INDIA has a variety of soil types due to the varied topography, rainfall and differences in
parent rock. In India we have alluvial soil, Red soil, Laterite soils Black soil desert soil and
mountain soil. The map illustrates where each is found.

D0 YOU KNOW?
The Alluvial soil is the most fertile soil in the world.
SOIL DEGRADATION
Soil degradation is an evolution that occurs when soil losses its quality and productivity.
Human activities and natural disasters are primarily responsible for soil degradation. The
main cause of soil degradation is soil erosion.
Soil erosion is the removal of soil by running water, wind or other agents of erosion. It
represents the physical loss of a layer of soil. Soil exhaustion or soil impoverishment, on the
other hand, is the deterioration of the soil that becomes deficient in nutrients due to improper
cultivation techniques. Running water is a major agent of soil erosion, especially on slopes,
or when rivers are in flood. Wind is also a powerful erosion agent, as it erodes soil which is
dry, loose and with no vegetation cover.

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Over cropping, multi-cropping, shifting agriculture, over grazing, deforestation, slope
cultivation, dry farming and over irrigation all exhaust the soil of its potential to yield a
good crop.

Contour ploughing

Terracing

Windbreaks and Shelterbelts

Strip farming

Aforestation
SOIL CONSERVATION
Soil conservation is an effort made by humans to prevent soil erosion and thereby retain the
soil fertility of the soil. Soil conservation is possible if it is managed properly using soil
management techniques and adopting the following measures:
Contour ploughing ploughing at right angles to the slope, following the contour of
land, prevents excessive soil loss and reduces run off by water.
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Terracing: slopes cut into series of step like terraces which allow the soil to remain
stable and retain water. This is especially important in mountainous areas
Strip farming crops may be cultivated in alternate strips , some of which may be kept
fallow while others are sown with different crops .as these crops ripen at different times,
there is no time when the entire area is left bare or exposed to the agents of erosion
Crop rotation the same crop must not be grown in a field for more than two years as it
exhausts soil fertility. It is best to alternate nitrogen fixing crops with grains and fibre
crops so that fertility is returned to the soil.
Wind breaks and Shelterbelts - tall growing crops and trees planted on the margins of
fields act as wind breaks and help to slow runoff

by water. Earth bunds

or

embankments also help check soil erosion

Aforestation areas which are left bare experience maximum soil erosion. Aforestation
and reforestation schemes prevent this from happening as tree roots bind soil together
and protect it. Trees absorb the impact of falling rain
Overgrazing by animals this must be checked and grass should be allowed to regrow
so that it protects the topsoil from wind and rain
Use of fertilizers continuous cultivation exhausts soil nutrients. Soil fertility must be
maintained by the application of manures or fertilisers. Phosphates, potash and nitrates
must be added to the soil. However , a balance of organic and chemical fertilizers must
be used, as excessive use of chemical fertilisers damages the soil, and gets absorbed
into the crops
Proper water management and balanced irrigation techniques allow even marginal
and useless dry lands to be bought under cultivation.

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WORKSHEET 1
Class : VII Section : ___
1 What percentage of the earths surface is land?
a) 50 % b) 30%

c) 60% d) 40%

2 Land is generally used for

a) Cultivation of crops
b) Construction of buildings
c) Grazing of livestock
d) All of these
3 Land which can be cultivated ,but has been left unused for the season is called
a) Fallow

b) cultivable waste c) arable land d) pasture land

4 Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs ,
provided , it is technologically accessible , economically feasible and culturally
acceptable can be termed as
a) Development b) resource c) planning d) product

5 Explain the term land use or land use pattern.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
6 Land is considered to be an important and limited resource. Justify
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7 State the physical factors that determine the changes in the land use pattern of a country.
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
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8 How does mining play an important role in determining the land use pattern of a region?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
9 Draw a rough plan of your immediate neighbourhood. Try to depict through it the land
use pattern of your area (e.g. parks. Shopping centres, roads, dwellings )

10 Study the above given diagram and answer the following question.
10.1.Write any two categories under which the land use area has increased.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10.2.What do you think is the cause for the increase?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
10.3.Write two categories under which the land use area has decreased. Mention the cause
for the decrease.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
11. Study the data and answer the given questions
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11.1Name the country which has the highest percentage of cropland. Why?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
11.2 Which country has the lowest percentage of cropland? Why
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
11.3Which country has the highest percentage of forests? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
12 Identify the type of land use pattern shown in the pictures given below marked by
A,B,C,D,E and F.

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13. The following picture shows different types of land use

On the basis of your understanding mention few benefits and harmful effects for each of
these types of land use.

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Worksheet No-2
: VII Div :
Name Class
:
1 Which of the following factors are responsible for land degradation
a) Excessive exploitation of land
b) Deforestation
c) Untreated industrial effluents
d) All of the above
2 Some of the common methods of land conservation are
a) Deforestation
b) Uncontrolled use of chemical pesticides
c) Controlled mining
d) Overgrazing
3 Which agent is responsible for maximum land degradation?
a) Wind

b) water

c) glaciers

d) overgrazing

4 The factor responsible for maximum land degradation is

a) Human activities

b) Wind c) Salinity d) Soil erosion

5 land degradation can be controlled by

a) Deforestation
b) Checking soil erosion
c) Desertification
d) None of the above
6 Explain the following :
6.1.Land degradation.
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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6.2.Desertification
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
7 Explain any four human activities which are mainly responsible for land degradation
in India
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
8 Complete the following Graphic organizer
The land under permanent pasture has decreased over the years. What are its
consequences?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
9 Mention certain agricultural activities that cause land degradation in different areas.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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WORK SHEET_3
1 The layer of soil that has the maximum amount of humus is called.
a) Parent material
b) The bedrock
c) Top- soil
d) The subsoil
2 Soil is formed by the process of
a) Denudation
b) Deposition
c) Weathering
d) Erosion
3 Which of the following is an important factor in the formation of soil?
i)

Relief

ii)

Parent rock

iii)

Climate

iv)

Vegetation

a) Only i) and ii)

b) Only ii) and iii)
c) Only iii) and iv)
d) All of the above.
4 Time taken for the formation of one cm. of soil is
a) One year
b) Hundred years
c) Five hundred years
d) Thousands of years

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5 Soil type that occurs in the tropical area is known as
a) Latsols or laterites
b) Prairie soils
c) Blackearths
d) Podzol
6 Explain the following
Soil profile
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
7 Soil is considered to be a primary resource. Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
8 Mention the criteria on the basis of which soils can be classified in the Indian
subcontinent.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
9 Mention the types of soil found in our country India.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

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10 Complete the following

Organic
substances
found in soil
Inorganic
substances
found in soil
11 Complete the following ( any four factors responsible for soil formation)

factors
affecting
soil
formation

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12 What is hummus and why is it useful for soil?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
13 O, A, B C and R signify different layers of soil. Identify.

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14 On the political map of India identify the soil types in I, II, III, IV.

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WORKSHEET 4
Class : VII Div :
1. Terrace farming and contour ploughing are practiced to
a) Bring rainfall
b) Conserve soil
c) Erode soil
d) Rear animals
2. Carrying away of the top soil by wind , water or human action
a) Soil degradation
b) Soil erosion
c) Soil conservation
d) Land degradation
3. Contour ploughing and terrace cultivation is common along
a) River valleys
b) Steep slopes
c) Deltas
d) Plains
4. Carrying away of the top soil by wind , water or human action
e) Soil degradation
f) Soil erosion
g) Soil conservation
h) Land degradation
5. State in detail some factors that exhaust the soil of its potential to yield a good crop.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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6. When does degradation of soil occur?
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7. How does aforestation help control soil erosion?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
8. Distinguish between contour ploughing and terrace farming

9. Soil erosion has become a pressing problem in the world. Justify

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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10. Observe the picture and answer the questions that follow

What does the picture depict?

_________________________________________________________________________
11. How does this method help in conserving the soil on a large scale?
_________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
12. Observe the given picture and answer the questions that follow

12.1.Which type of soil erosion is depicted in the picture?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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12.2.Name the agent responsible for this type of soil erosion.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
12.3.What is the name given to these lands that are extensively eroded?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

RESOURCES
1. Frank CCE middle school by Kripal Singh
2. Time space and people by Chitra Srnivas
3. Getting ahead with social science by Vijay Sridharan
4. The unique planet by llela Sachdev
5. Cornerstone integrated social science by Mrs. Kanchan sood , Mrs. Meera Sharma
6. Gosse geography in focus by Widdowson smith knill
Links:
http://moef.nic.in/soer/2001/ind_land.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_degradation
http://www.pon.nic.in/citizen/science/ppcc-new/ppcc/chapter7.pdf

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