Paper I · 4 Geography of India & AP · APPSC Paper I
4.3.2 Soils, natural vegetation and wildlife notes
10 notes, in reading order.
- 4.3.2.1Soil classification in India: ICAR classes and soil survey
Soil is the thin, living top layer of weathered rock and organic matter, and India groups it into eight major types, of which alluvial soil is the most widespread.
Standard · 6 min · Full course - 4.3.2.2Alluvial and black soils
Alluvial soil is the river-made soil of the northern plains and deltas, and black soil is the moisture-holding soil formed from Deccan lava, best known for cotton.
Standard · 6 min · Full course - 4.3.2.3Red, yellow and laterite soils
Red and yellow soils form on old crystalline rocks and get their colour from iron, while laterite forms under heavy rain and intense leaching that leaves iron and aluminium behind.
Standard · 5 min · Full course - 4.3.2.4Arid, saline, peaty, forest and mountain soils
These are the minor soil groups of India: dry-land arid soils, salt-affected soils, humus-rich peaty soils and the varied soils of forested hills.
Standard · 5 min · Full course - 4.3.2.5Soil erosion, degradation and conservation methods
Soil erosion removes the fertile topsoil faster than nature rebuilds it, and India fights it through terracing, contour ploughing, shelter belts and watershed work.
Standard · 5 min · Full course - 4.3.2.6Tropical evergreen and deciduous forests
Evergreen forests grow where rain is heaviest, deciduous forests (the monsoon forests) cover the largest area and shed leaves in the dry season.
Standard · 5 min · Full course - 4.3.2.7Thorn, montane, littoral and swamp forests including mangroves
Dry regions have thorn scrub, mountains show vegetation belts that change with height, and tidal coasts carry mangroves.
Standard · 5 min · Full course - 4.3.2.8Forest cover of India: India State of Forest Report highlights
The Forest Survey of India measures forest and tree cover every two years in the India State of Forest Report, and about a quarter of India's area is under forest and tree cover.
Standard · 6 min · Full course - 4.3.2.9National Forest Policy 1988, social forestry and agroforestry
India's forest policy moved from revenue and timber to protection and people's participation, and social forestry and agroforestry put trees on community and farm land.
Standard · 6 min · Full course - 4.3.2.10Protected areas of India: major national parks and sanctuaries by region
India protects wildlife through national parks, sanctuaries, tiger reserves and biosphere reserves, each famous for one or two flagship species.
Standard · 6 min · Full course
Practise Soils, natural vegetation and wildlife. Questions with answers explained, from the same topics.
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