Resources and Development Test - 19

The black soils are made up of extremely fine clayey material. They are well-known for their capacity to hold moisture. In addition, they are rich in soil nutrients, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime. This type of soil develops deep cracks during hot weather, which helps in the proper aeration of the soil. These are the characteristics of black soil. 

• On the basis of ownership resources are classified as follows:
  
• Individual: Resources owned by an individual. Example-land owned by a farmer.
  
• Community:  There are resources which are accessible to all the members of the community. 
  
• Pond can be owned by a community (villagers) and also by an individual.
  

 Factors which lead to soil degradation are deforestation, overgrazing, overuse of chemical feritilisers or pesticides, rain wash, landslides and floods.

Mountain soil is mainly found on the hill slopes. These soils are formed due to mechanical withering caused by snow, rain, temperature variation, etc. These mountain soils are found in hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. These soils occupy about 8% of the total land area of India.

• Environmental resources are those resources which are the elements of environment.
  

These are of different types like:

• Socio-economic resources which includes farms, parks, etc.
  
• Cultural resources like archaeological sites.
  
• Natural resources like plains, soil, vegetation and wildlife.
  

This type of soil is typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows. 

Black soils are black in colour and are also known as regur soils. Black soil is ideal for growing cotton and is also known as black cotton soil. It is believed that climatic condition along with the parent rock material are the important factors for the formation of black soil. This type of soil is typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows. They cover the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra.

Thorny bushes are found in dry areas of the country. The leaves are in the form of spines to reduce the loss of water. Cactus, khair, babool, keekar are important thorny bushes. They are found in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Eastern slopes of Western Ghats and Gujarat.

Khadar has more fine particles and is more fertile than the Bangar.

Alluvial soil is the most widely spread and important soil. In fact, the entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil. These have been deposited by three important Himalayan river systems– the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.