Land Resources

Question 1

Why does 90% of the world population live on only 30% of the land available to us?

Answer 1

1. Extreme climate
2. Inhospitable relief features

Question 2

What is land use?

Answer 2

Land use refers to the various ways in which land is used such as construction of roads, grazing of animals, mining, setting up of industries,buildings and houses, etc.

Question 3

Explain the different types physical factors affecting land use.

Answer 3

a) River plains such as the Gangetic plains of Hwang Ho Basin contain alluvial soil and are great for agriculture.
b) Mountains provide great tourist attractions with their scenic beauty and dense forest cover.
c) The Alpine meadows provide a great grazing ground for sheep
d) Plateaus such as the African and Deccan Plateaus act as storehouses for minerals. Mining industries are usually found here.

Question 4

Explain the different types of human and economic factors affecting land use.

Answer 4

Humans often clear dense forests and grasslands for building roadways, railway networks and buildings.
The prairies in the USA and Canada where the development of roadway and railway networks has converted these grasslands into farms of wheat and corn

Question 5

List some measures to prevent degradation of land.

Answer 5

1. Afforestation
2. Control soil erosion
3. Control grazing
4. Plant shelter belts
5. Control use of pesticides
6. Scientific methods of agriculture
7. Control over wasteful mining
8. Proper management of wastelands