Ch 1 = Resources

Classification
1. On basis of origin

Biotic Abiotic

All living organisms on Earth Non - Living substances used by human

beings

Eg :- Flora, Fauna and Humans Eg:- Soil, air, sunlight

2. On the basis of Continuous Supply

Renewable resources Non - Renewable resources

Resources that get regenerated or Resources that cant be replenished or

replenished renewed

Get replenished quickly with the help of Get replenished in a thousand years, by
physical, chemical and mechanical natural means
processes

Over exploitation and unscientific use can We should use them with care as we may
damage future supply, by reducing it. run out of these resources

Wildlife, forests, soil and water Metals, fossil fuels, coal, petroleum
,
3. On the basis of distribution

Ubiquitous resources Localized resources

Found everywhere Unevenly distributed across the world,

and are inly found in certain regions

Eg:- Air, Sunlight Eg:- Gold, Diamonds and silver

4. Development resources

Actual or developed resources Potential resources

Resources which have already been Resources that could be of use in the
developed, which are presently being future due to breakthroughs in technology
used or changing circumstances

The Quality and Quantity was known to The Quality and Quantity was not known
 us to us, as it keeps changing. For example,
sugarcane thought to be too expensive 20
yrs

Eg:- Coal, water, fossil fuels Eg:- Uranium in Ladakh

Human Made resources

- Made by humans using technology and skills
- Natural resources are transformed into useful products
- Eg:- House, Clothes, Buildings and trains

Human resources
- Consists of people
- Most Important resource
- All other resources get meaning and value on the needs of humans beings
- The proper development of human resources is vital
- The minds of humans and the desire to satisfy needs helped produce different services
and products.
- Government spends a lot of money and effort on the health and education of the people.

Sustainable Development - development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of the future to meet their own needs.

The careful and prudent utilization of resources with the future in mind and preventing the
depletion of the same by giving time for it to regenerate or get renewed is called conservation of
resources.

4R’s
- Reduce - Consuming less
- Reuse - Using a product as many times as you can
- Refuse - If you don’t need something, refuse it
- Recycle - Avoid wastage
Chapter - 2 = land, Soil and water resources
30% of earth - Land
90% of population stays in 30% land

Classification
- Relief

Factors that determined the use of land (TosoClimih2O)

1. Physical factors
- Topography
- Soil
- Climate
- Minerals
- Water availability

2. Human factors
- Population density
- Availability of capital
- Technology

Pattern of Land use in india

- 46% total sown area
- 23%forested area
- 3% permanent pasture
- 4% cultivable wasteland
- 14% not available for cultivation

Land Degradation
- The decline in productivity of cultivated land or forest land
- Results from unsuitable and unscientific use

Factors
- Excessive exploitation of land
- Deforestation
- Clearing fertile lands for settlements
- Slash and burn
- Abandoned mining sites
- Surface mining
- Toxicity in the landfill
- Untreated industrial effluents
- Concretisation
Soil
The loose covering of fine rock particles that covers the surface of the Earth.
Consists of weathered particles by agents of erosion
- Water
- Wind
- Glaciers
Consists of decaying organic matter and minerals
Varies in color, texture, fertility and content.
- Determined by the nature of the parent rock

Fertility of soil - the ability to produce vigorous growth in plants

- The right mix of minerals and organic matter, with the ability to retain the correct amount
of moisture determines it.
Soil takes 200 to several thousand years to form’

Soil profile
Layers in soil are called soil horizons.
The manner which the horizons are arranged is called soil profile

Basis Of Topsoil

Color Dark

Texture Fine Texture

Humus present High content

Vital for Plant growth

Basis Of Subsoil

Where Below Subsoil

Consists of Snad, Silt and clay

Humus or organic matter present Minor amounts

Basis Of Topsoil

Color Dark

Texture Fine Texture

Humus present High content

 Vital for Plant growth

Basis Of Topsoil

Color Dark

Texture Fine Texture

Humus present High content

Vital for Plant growth

Soils of India
1. Alluvial soil
- Rich and Fertile formed by depositional action of rivers
- Rivers transport eroded material from their higher reaches and deposits
them on their banks as they reach the plains
- Supports cultivation of crops
- In India - rich deposits of Alluvial Soil in the vast Indo - Gangetic plains
and the deltaic regions of the peninsular belt
- Covers almost 24% of India’s land area

2. Black Soil
- Called as Cotton soil or regur soil
- Found in and around lava plateaus
- Deep and clayey soil
- Swells when wet and contracts when dry
- It develops wide cracks during summer
- Ideal for growth of cotton
- Found in Deccan plateau
- MP
- TN
- AP
- UP
- Good for cultivation of
- Cereals
- Pulses
- oil seeds
- Citrus fruits
- Vegetables
 3. Red soil
- Sandy and Red
- Redness due to presence of iron oxides
- Normally fertile, but in dry uplands, the are less fertile
- Suitable for growth of millets, onions and potatoes
- Found in India in
- MP
- AP
- TN

Laterite soil
- Formed due to intense leaching
- Not naturally fertile as the topsoil along with humus is washed away by heavy rainfall
- To make it cultivable, it has to be treated with fertilizers
- Ideal for growing millets, Fodder crop, etc
- Used for brick making
- Found in India
a. Coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra
b. Also in Odisha, TN, West Bengal

Arid and Sandy Soil

- Found in dry areas
- Color varies from dark shades of reddish brown to pastel brown
- Very low in moisture and humus content as it is found in dry deserts
- With sufficient irrigation it can be made cultivable
- Found in western Rajasthan

Peaty and forest soil

- Found in places with dense vegetation
- Rich in Humus as organic matter that accumulates in the forest decomposes to provide
the same.
- Jharkhand , Bihar, Uttaranchal

Some Methods of Soil conservation

1. Mulching

Sample paper
Resources can be classified based on their origin into two main categories: renewable
resources and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are those that can be
replenished or regenerated naturally within a relatively short period of time. An example of a
renewable resource is solar energy. Solar energy is derived from the sun and can be
harnessed through technologies such as solar panels to generate electricity. On the other
hand, non-renewable resources are those that cannot be replenished or take a significant
amount of time to be formed naturally. An example of a non-renewable resource is fossil
fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. These resources are formed over millions of years and
once depleted, cannot be easily replaced. Localized resources are those that are found only
in specific regions or areas. The distribution of such resources is limited to certain
geographical locations. For example, diamond mines are localized resources as they are
found in specific regions such as South Africa, Russia, and Australia. Their distribution is
dependent on the geological conditions and the presence of specific minerals in those
areas. Actual or developed resources are the resources that have been surveyed,
quantified, and are currently being utilized. They are the ones being used for various
purposes and have been transformed into usable forms. Potential resources, on the other
hand, refer to the resources that are known to exist but are not yet being utilized due to
various reasons such as technological limitations or lack of economic feasibility. For
example, the wind energy potential in a certain region would be considered a potential
resource if there are no wind turbines harnessing that energy. Human-made resources are
resources that are created or developed by human beings through their knowledge, skills,
and technology. Examples of human-made resources include buildings, roads, bridges, and
machinery. These resources are designed and constructed to serve specific purposes and
are essential for human activities and development. Human resources are considered the
most important resource because they possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities
necessary to utilize and develop other resources. Human resources drive innovation, create
technologies, and manage the efficient use of resources. They are the ones who work
towards sustainable development and are crucial for the well-being and progress of society
as a whole. Sustainable development is the practice of utilizing resources in a way that
meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing economic growth, social
development, and environmental protection. Sustainable development aims to ensure that
the resources are managed effectively, and their use does not lead to irreversible damage
to the environment or depletion of the resources themselves. The 4R's in the context of
resource conservation stand for Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover. These principles
guide individuals and organizations in minimizing waste, conserving resources, and
maximizing the utilization of materials. By reducing consumption, reusing items, recycling
materials, and recovering energy from waste, we can contribute to the conservation of
resources and minimize environmental impact. Soil erosion is the process of the removal of
topsoil by natural forces such as wind, water, or deforestation. It can result in the loss of
fertile soil, reduced agricultural productivity, and degraded ecosystems. The consequences
of soil erosion include decreased water quality due to sediment runoff, increased flooding,
and the destruction of habitats. The factors that determine the use of land include physical
characteristics such as topography, climate, and soil fertility, as well as human factors like
population density, economic activities, and land tenure systems. These factors influence
the suitability of land for various purposes such as agriculture, industry, residential use, or
conservation. Land degradation refers to the deterioration of land quality and loss of
ecosystem services. It can occur due to various factors including deforestation, overgrazing,
improper agricultural practices, urbanization, and mining activities. Land degradation leads
to the decline in soil fertility, desertification, biodiversity loss, and reduced land productivity.
Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants for their growth
and development. It is determined by various factors such as the presence of organic
matter, nutrient content, pH level, and soil structure. Soil fertility plays a vital role in
agricultural productivity and the sustainability of food production. Soil horizons are distinct
layers or zones within a soil profile. These horizons are formed as a result of various
processes such as weathering, organic matter accumulation, and mineral leaching. A typical
soil profile consists of different horizons including the topsoil (A horizon), subsoil (B
horizon), and sometimes deeper horizons such as the parent material (C horizon). Topsoil is
vital for plant growth because it contains the highest concentration of organic matter,
nutrients, and microorganisms necessary for plant nutrition. It is the uppermost layer of soil,
rich in humus and organic materials, and has the highest biological activity. Topsoil supports
root development, water retention, and nutrient cycling, making it essential for healthy plant
growth. Soil classification is based on various factors such as climate, parent material,
topography, and the time it takes for soil to form. Different soils have different properties and
characteristics that determine their suitability for different purposes such as agriculture,
construction, or conservation. The process of soil formation, known as pedogenesis, is a
slow and continuous process that can take thousands of years. It involves the weathering of
rocks, the deposition of organic matter, and the accumulation of minerals. The rate of soil
formation depends on factors such as climate, vegetation, topography, and parent material.
Soil erosion has a significant impact on the environment. It can lead to the loss of topsoil,
which is vital for plant growth and agriculture. As the topsoil is eroded, it can result in
reduced soil fertility, decreased water quality due to sedimentation, and increased
vulnerability to droughts and floods. Soil erosion also contributes to the loss of biodiversity
and ecosystem degradation. Proper conservation of resources can be achieved through
various measures. These include adopting sustainable practices such as reducing waste,
conserving energy, and promoting the use of renewable resources. Implementing policies
and regulations that promote resource conservation and environmental protection is also
essential. Furthermore, raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of
resource conservation can encourage individual and collective actions towards sustainable
resource management. Sustainable development is significant in the context of resources
because it ensures that resources are used in a way that meets present needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It promotes the
balance between economic development, social well-being, and environmental protection,
aiming for long-term sustainability. By incorporating sustainable practices into resource
management, we can ensure the preservation of resources for future generations and the
overall well-being of the planet.