Resources - Class 10 Jharkhand Board Geography

Resources and Development

Land Resources: Definition and Distribution

Land resources refer to the use of land by humans as a means of production and livelihood. The Earth's land area is divided into plains, mountains, and plateaus, each serving as a distinct land resource. The distribution of these landforms is important for exam recall.

• Plains: 43% of land area
• Mountains: 30% of land area
• Plateaus: 27% of land area
• The largest portion is occupied by plains.

Soil Formation: Process and Factors

Soil formation is a slow geological process involving the breakdown of rocks and…

Resources and Development

Land Resources: Definition and Distribution

Land resources refer to the use of land by humans as a means of production and livelihood. The Earth's land area is divided into plains, mountains, and plateaus, each serving as a distinct land resource. The distribution of these landforms is important for exam recall.

• Plains: 43% of land area
• Mountains: 30% of land area
• Plateaus: 27% of land area
• The largest portion is occupied by plains.

Soil Formation: Process and Factors

Soil formation is a slow geological process involving the breakdown of rocks and minerals through natural agents. The process is considered extremely slow, with 1 cm of soil taking millions of years to form. Several factors contribute to soil formation.

• Key factors: Wind, rainfall, climate, temperature, and organic matter (humus)
• Sequence: Large rocks and plateaus are broken down by wind, then rain fills gaps, heat hardens the soil, and organic matter binds particles.
• Soil formation is recognized as a very slow process by geographers.

Types of Soil in India

India has six main types of soil, each with distinct characteristics and regional distribution. This classification is frequently tested.

• Alluvial Soil (Jalod): Most widespread, found in river valleys
• Black Soil (Regur): Found in Maharashtra and Gujarat, formed from lava and basalt rocks
• Laterite Soil: Found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu; derived from the word "later" meaning brick
• Red and Yellow Soil: Found in southern Maharashtra, Karnataka, Deccan plateau; color due to iron oxide
• Desert Soil: Found in Rajasthan and western Punjab; associated with arid regions
• Mountain/Hill Soil: Found in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, northeastern states; includes stony and alluvial types

Alluvial Soil: Formation, Features, and Types

Alluvial soil is formed by river-borne deposits and is the most fertile and widespread soil in India. It is especially prevalent in the plains of northern India.

• Formation: Rivers carry and deposit materials like pebbles, stones, wood, and organic matter along their banks, creating alluvial soil.
• Location: Found along riverbanks, especially in the plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand.
• Features: Highly fertile, supports cultivation of wheat, rice, sugarcane, and other food crops.
• Major rivers: Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Sindhu contribute to the formation of alluvial soil in northern plains.
• Types by age: Alluvial soil is classified into two types based on age:
  • Khadar: New alluvial soil, more fertile, higher nutrient content
  • Bangar: Old alluvial soil, less fertile, lower nutrient content

Black Soil: Formation, Features, and Distribution

Black soil is formed from lava and basalt rocks and is characterized by its dark color due to aluminum and iron oxide. It is especially important for cotton cultivation.

• Formation: Result of cooling and solidification of lava and basalt rocks
• Color: Black due to aluminum and iron oxide
• Location: Predominantly in Maharashtra and Gujarat
• Features: High moisture retention, suitable for cotton (kapas) cultivation, requires less water
• Highest cotton production: Maharashtra

Laterite Soil: Origin, Features, and Uses

Laterite soil derives its name from the word "later," meaning brick, and is found in regions with high rainfall and temperature. It is used for specific crops.

• Origin: Formed from intense leaching due to heavy rainfall
• Location: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu (southern India)
• Features: Supports cultivation of cashew and coffee

Red and Yellow Soil: Color, Features, and Distribution

Red and yellow soils are found in southern Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the Deccan plateau. Their color is due to iron oxide content and changes with moisture.

• Color: Red due to iron oxide; turns yellow when soil absorbs water
• Features: Requires fertilizers and irrigation to improve fertility; supports maize and rice cultivation
• Location: Southern Maharashtra, Karnataka, Deccan plateau

Desert Soil: Features and Regional Occurrence

Desert soil is found in areas with low rainfall, mainly Rajasthan and parts of western Punjab. It is associated with the Thar desert and supports limited vegetation.

• Location: Rajasthan, western Punjab
• Features: Supports thorny bushes; cultivation possible with fertilizers and irrigation

Mountain and Hill Soil: Types and Distribution

Mountain and hill soils are found in regions with high elevation and are of two main types: stony and alluvial. These soils are prevalent in the Himalayan and northeastern states.

• Location: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, northeastern states
• Types: Stony soil (with pebbles), alluvial soil (near rivers)
• Features: Alluvial soil near rivers supports food crops; stony soil is less fertile

Land Use Patterns in India

Land use refers to the various ways land is utilized, including forests, agriculture, and other purposes. The classification of land use is important for understanding resource management.

• Categories:
  • Forests: Should ideally cover 33% of land; currently about 20.96% in India
  • Land not available for cultivation: Includes barren land, land used for housing, industry, etc.
  • Other cultivable land: Includes grazing land and land with trees, not currently used for farming
  • Fallow land: Land not cultivated for 5 years or more
  • Current fallow: Land not cultivated for 1 year
  • Net sown area: Area where crops are grown and harvested; if multiple crops are grown in a year, the net sown area is counted accordingly

Key Exam Points and Comparisons

• Distribution of landforms: Plains (43%), Mountains (30%), Plateaus (27%)
• Soil formation factors: Wind, rainfall, climate, temperature, organic matter
• Alluvial soil: Most widespread, most fertile, found in northern plains, formed by river deposits
• Black soil: Formed from lava/basalt, black color due to aluminum and iron oxide, high moisture retention, best for cotton, found in Maharashtra and Gujarat
• Laterite soil: Found in southern India, supports cashew and coffee
• Red and yellow soil: Color due to iron oxide, turns yellow with moisture, found in southern Maharashtra, Karnataka, Deccan plateau
• Desert soil: Found in Rajasthan, western Punjab, supports thorny bushes
• Mountain/hill soil: Found in Himalayan and northeastern states, includes stony and alluvial types
• Alluvial soil types: Khadar (new, more fertile), Bangar (old, less fertile)
• Land use categories: Forests, land not available for cultivation, other cultivable land, fallow land, current fallow, net sown area

Table: Alluvial Soil Types Comparison

• Forest coverage: Ideal minimum is 33%; India currently has about 20.96%

• Top country in forest area: Russia

• Net sown area calculation: If multiple crops are grown in a year, total area is multiplied by number of crops

• Exam recall: Focus on soil types, their formation, features, regional distribution, and land use categories.