We will study the following topic in the " Soil and Natural vegetation".
- UPSC Previous years question related to Soil and Natural Vegetation
- Soils
- A major factor affecting the formation of soil
- Components of Soil
- Soil Profile
- Classification of Indian Soil
- Alluvial soils
- Black soils
- Red and yellow soils
- Laterite soil
- Arid soils
- Saline soils
- Peaty soils
- Forest soils
- Natural Vegetation
- Shrub
- Grassland
- Forest
- Tropical evergreen forest
- Tropical deciduous forest
- Tropical Thorny and Scrubs forest
- Montane forest
- Mangrove forest
- The relation between soil and natural vegetation
Describe the distribution of black soils in India and their Specific use for agriculture. (UPSC 2016)
Bring out the distribution of Laterite soils in India and their specific use for agriculture. (UPSC 2014)
Discuss the formation and their distribution of the major soil types of India. (UPSC 2009)
Examine the origin and characteristics of the soils of the North Indian Plain. (UPSC 1995)
Examine the origin and characteristics of the soils of the North Indian Plain. (UPSC 1995)
Explain the characteristics and productivity of the ‘Regular’ back soils of India. (UPSC 1992)
How does natural vegetation affect the formation of in situ soils? (UPSC 2015)
Discuss the spatial distribution of natural vegetation in India with the help of a sketch map. (UPSC 2010)
Explain the sequence of vegetation zones of the Himalayas. (UPSC 2001)
Discuss the distribution and characteristics of the evergreen forest in India. (UPSC 1996)
Examine the forest resources of India and explain the principles of conservation that could be applied to improve the forest wealth of India. (UPSC 1994)
Explain the geographical factors responsible for the growth of mangrove vegetation in India. (UPSC 1993)
Soil is a mixture of organic and inorganic materials. Organic materials such as a microorganism, decay plants, and animal residues. Inorganic materials include rock debris, minerals, water, and air. The presence of organic and inorganic materials in the soil makes it suitable for living organisms such as vegetation.
Major factors affecting the formation of soils:
- Relief
- Parent materials
- Climate
- Vegetation
- Other life forms such as microorganisms
- Time
- Human activities
- Parent rock determines the characteristics of the soil such as chemical composition like pH value and physical properties like soil texture, soil structure, soil porosity, permeability, and soil color. For example, red soil is formed by the parent material of iron.
- The soil will be thin on the steeper slope and thick over flat surfaces or gentle slope; this is because of favorable soil formation due to slow erosion and percolation of water into depth.
- Climatic elements are involved in soil formation.
- Moisture: in terms of intensity, frequency, duration of precipitation, evaporation, humidity.
- Temperature: in terms of seasonal and diurnal variation. A larger variation of temperature leads to expansion and contraction of soil; as a result, rocks break.
- Precipitation enhances the chemical, biological activities, and erosion activities.
- Excess waters help downward transportation of soil components and removal of silt from the soil. Laterite soil formed.
- Dry region due to capillary action, groundwater brought up to surfaces. Soils become salty.
- Vegetables release acids that enhance the chemical weathering. Flora and fauna, both are favorable for soil formation.
- The length of time determines the maturity of soil profile( thickness) development.
Soil profile:
- The vertical layer of soil is called horizons and the arrangement of layer or horizon is called a soil profile.
Components of soils:
- Minerals particle
- Humus
- Water
- Air
The ratio of these components defines the different types of soils.
Ancient times, based on fertility soil are two types:
- Urvara( fertile)
- Usara ( infertile)
- Sandy
- Clayey
- Silty
- Loamy soils
Based in color:
- Red soils
- Yellow soils
- Black soil
On the basis of Genesis, color, composition, and location, the soil of India can be classified into:
- Alluvial soils
- Black soils
- Red and yellow soils
- Laterite soil
- Arid soils
- Saline soils
- Peaty soils
- Forest soils
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