Social Science
Chapter 8 : Natural
Resources
By Shalini Iyer

Uses of Resources
• Food
• Source of raw material
• Source of energy

• On the basis of Ownership

On the basis of Distribution

Resource Planning and Conservation
Why is it needed?
• Unlimited wants, limited resources.
• Population explosion = Increasing demand = excessive use of resources.
What it is?
• Sustainable development
• Gather information and classify
• Finding alternative option of limited resources
• Strict Law enforcement
• Public awareness

Important Abiotic
Resource : Soil

Soil Formation
Bed rocks
• Weathering
processes
Biotic factors
• Microorganisms
• Plant- roots
• Small animals
• Insects
Abiotic factors
• Temperature
• Humidity
• pH
• Air
What is soil?
Soil can be defined as the organic and inorganic materials on
the surface of the earth that provide the medium for plant
growth. Soil develops slowly over time and is composed of
many different materials.

Types of
Soil
1. Alluvial soil
2. Red Soil
3. Black Soil
4. Laterite Soil
5. Desert Soil
6. Mountain Soil
7. Forest Soil
8. Marshy or Peaty Soil
As described by ICAR

Alluvial Soil
• 43% of total area of India
• Found in Northern plains and delta regions of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and
kaveri
• Formed due to deposition of rivers.
• Contains more Potash, Phosphoric acid, Limestone and less humus
• Suitable for wheat, paddy, sugarcane, jute, cotton, maize etc.

Red Soil
• 19% of total area of India
• Found in Tamil nadu, Peninsular region, Bundelkhand and Kutch
• Red incolour due to ferric oxide
• Does not contains lime, gravel and carbonate
• Low levels of magnesium, phosphate, Nitrogen and potash
• Suitable for Jowar, groundnuts, potato, wheat, cotton

Black Soil
• 15% of total area of India
• Formed due to spreading of Deccan Lava
• Found in Maharshtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
• Contains more amount of iron, lime, calcium, potash, Aluminium and
magnesium carbonates.
• Fertile, high moisture retaining capacity, develops fissures on drying
• Suitable for cotton (Cotton soil), linseed, mustard, groundnut, tobacco

Laterite Soil
• “Later” in latin means brick
• Red in colour due to iron oxide
• Wet- smooth butter like, Dry- Hard
• Found in peninsular plateau
• Contains more iron, potash, aluminium
• Less fertile soil
• Ragi, coffee, sugarcane, cashew can be grown after adding fertilizers

Desert Soil
• Found in arid or semi arid regions
• Sandy and infertile
• Contains more dissolved minerals
• Found in Rajasthan, Harayana, South Punjab, North Gujarat
• Millet and Jowar Can be grown by Proper irrigation

Mountain Soil
• Found in valleys and slopes of Himalayas
• Altitudes 2700 to 3000 meters
• Thin layaered and under-developed
• Found in Assam, Darjeeling, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir
• Suitable for pine and chir

Forest Soil
• Found within Altitudes between 3000 to 3100 metres.
• Mainly in coniferous forest of Himalayas, Sahyadri, Eastern Ghats and Terai
Region
• Covered with shedded leaves
• Black surface due to rich humus content
• Suitable for tea, coffee, spices etc

Marshy or Peaty Soil
• Formed in humid regions due to accumulation of biotic elements
• Sumerged in water during monsoon- suitable for paddy cultivation
• Rich in biotic elements and minerals
• Less phosphate and potash
• Found in Odisha, West Bengal, Coast of Tamilnadu, North Bihar, and Almoda
region of Uttarakhand

Soil Erosion
• soil erosion refers to the wearing away of a field's topsoil by the natural physical
forces of water and wind or through forces associated with farming activities
such as tillage.
• Leads to loss of fertility

Methods to Prevent Soil Erosion
• Plant trees in Fallow land
• Construct Check Dams
• Plantation in sloppy regions by contour method
• Deep cultivation To reduce the speed of water
• Control on grazing activity

Soil Conservation
• Refers to Maintaining soil quality and prevention of erosion
• Retaining soil particles at their original place
Remedies
• Aforestation
• Planting trees on slopes and mountains
• Shelter belts near deserts to prevent high speed winds
• Diverting flow of flood to dry river beds
• Horizontal cultivation, Terrace farming

You May Ask Your
Questions Now
Thank You