Geography Question paper

SECTION – A

Q.01 Differentiate between naturally induced fertility and culturally induced fertility.

Naturally Induced Fertility:

• Refers to the inherent capacity of soil to support plant growth without any external input or human intervention.
• Depends on natural factors like:
  • Parent material (the rock from which the soil is formed)
  • Climate (temperature and rainfall influence weathering and decomposition)
  • Topography (slope affects water runoff and erosion)
  • Biological activity (microorganisms and organic matter contribute to nutrient cycling)
• Examples: Volcanic soils rich in minerals, alluvial soils deposited by rivers.

Culturally Induced Fertility:

• Refers to the enhancement of soil fertility through human practices and interventions.
• Involves techniques like:
  • Adding organic matter (compost, manure)
  • Crop rotation (planting different crops to avoid nutrient depletion)
  • Green manure (plowing under crops to add organic matter)
  • Use of fertilizers (chemical or organic)
  • Irrigation and drainage management
  • Terracing and contour plowing (to prevent soil erosion)
• Examples: Paddy fields with controlled flooding and fertilization, kitchen gardens with compost additions.

Q.02 What is natural vegetation? What are the climatic conditions required for evergreen forests?

Natural Vegetation:

• Refers to plant life that grows naturally without human interference.
• It’s determined by the climate, soil, and other environmental factors of a region.
• Examples: Forests, grasslands, deserts, tundra.

Climatic Conditions for Evergreen Forests:

• High Rainfall: Evergreen forests require abundant rainfall throughout the year, typically exceeding 200 cm annually.
• High Temperature: Warm temperatures are essential for the rapid growth of evergreen trees. The average temperature should be around 25-30 degrees Celsius.
• High Humidity: High humidity supports the dense growth of vegetation and prevents excessive evapotranspiration.
• Little Seasonal Variation: Evergreen forests don’t experience distinct seasons like temperate forests. Rainfall is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year.
• Tropical regions near the equator generally provide these ideal conditions.

Q.03 What is the difference between Khadar and Bhangar?

Both Khadar and Bhangar are types of alluvial soils found in floodplains, but they differ in age and characteristics:

Khadar:

• Newer Alluvium: Formed from fresh deposits of silt brought by rivers during recent floods.
• Fine Texture: Generally finer textured, with more silt and less gravel.
• More Fertile: More fertile due to the fresh deposits of nutrients.
• Lighter Color: Typically lighter in color.
• Found closer to riverbeds: Located in the active floodplain.

Bhangar:

• Older Alluvium: Formed from older alluvial deposits, located farther away from the river channel.
• Coarser Texture: More coarse textured, with more gravel and pebbles.
• Less Fertile: Less fertile compared to Khadar, as it has been leached and less renewed by recent floods.
• Darker Color: Generally darker in color.
• Found in areas above the flood limit: Located in the areas beyond the reach of recent floods.

Q.04 What are the different types of soil erosion?

Soil erosion is the removal of topsoil by natural forces like wind and water, or through human activities. Different types include:

• Water Erosion:
  • Sheet Erosion: Uniform removal of topsoil by the impact of raindrops and surface flow.
  • Rill Erosion: Formation of small, closely spaced channels (rills) due to runoff.
  • Gully Erosion: Formation of deeper and wider channels (gullies) that carry significant amounts of water and sediment.
  • Stream Bank Erosion: Wearing away of the banks of rivers and streams.
  • Splash Erosion: Direct removal of soil particles by the impact of raindrops.
• Wind Erosion:
  • Saltation: Movement of medium-sized particles by bouncing along the surface.
  • Suspension: Lifting of fine particles (silt and clay) into the air and transported over long distances.
  • Surface Creep: Rolling or sliding of larger particles along the surface.
• Human-Induced Erosion:
  • Deforestation: Removal of trees exposes the soil to erosion.
  • Overgrazing: Excessive grazing removes vegetation cover, leading to soil erosion.
  • Improper agricultural practices: Tillage practices that leave the soil bare increase erosion.
  • Construction activities: Clearing land for construction can lead to significant soil loss.

Q.05 What is the importance of the atmosphere on living beings?

The atmosphere is crucial for life on Earth in many ways:

• Provides Oxygen: It provides the oxygen we breathe, essential for respiration.
• Regulates Temperature: It acts as a blanket, trapping heat and preventing extreme temperature fluctuations.
• Protects from Radiation: The ozone layer in the stratosphere filters harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
• Maintains Water Cycle: It plays a key role in the water cycle, driving evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
• Supports Weather Patterns: It drives weather patterns that distribute rainfall and regulate regional climates.
• Medium for Communication: It allows for the propagation of sound waves, enabling communication.

Q.06 Write a short note on dust particles OR Water vapor.

Dust Particles:

• Composition: Dust particles are tiny solid particles ranging in size from a few nanometers to about 500 micrometers. They can be composed of various materials, including:
  • Soil particles (clay, silt, sand)
  • Pollen grains
  • Industrial pollutants (smoke, soot, ash)
  • Sea salt
  • Volcanic ash
  • Meteoritic dust
• Sources: Sources of dust particles include:
  • Natural sources: Windstorms, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, weathering of rocks.
  • Human activities: Construction, agriculture, industrial processes, transportation.
• Effects: Dust particles can have several effects:
  • Affecting climate: They can scatter and absorb solar radiation, influencing temperature and cloud formation.
  • Air pollution: They can contribute to respiratory problems and other health issues.
  • Nutrient transport: They can transport nutrients to different ecosystems.
  • Visibility reduction: High concentrations of dust can reduce visibility.

OR

Water Vapor:

• State: Water vapor is the gaseous form of water.
• Source: It enters the atmosphere through evaporation from water bodies (oceans, lakes, rivers) and transpiration from plants.
• Importance:
  • Greenhouse gas: It is a potent greenhouse gas, trapping heat and playing a crucial role in regulating Earth’s temperature.
  • Humidity: It determines the humidity of the air, affecting weather patterns and climate.
  • Cloud formation: It condenses to form clouds, leading to precipitation.
  • Latent heat: It carries latent heat, which is released during condensation, influencing atmospheric circulation and storm development.
  • Essential for life: It is essential for all living organisms, playing a crucial role in various biological processes.

 SECTION – B

Paragraph:

To a vast number of tribal people, the forest is the home, a livelihood, their very existence. It provides them food, fruits, edible leaves, honey, nourishing roots & wild gums. It provides them with material to build their houses & items for practicing their arts. The importance of forests in the tribal economy is well known as they are the sources of sustenance and livelihood for tribal communities. It is believed that the tribal live in harmony with nature and protect forests. Out of a total of 593 districts, 187 (as per the 2001 census) are tribal districts. They account for 59.8% of the total forest cover of the country, whereas the geographical area of 187 tribal districts forms only 33.6% of the geographical area of the country. It demonstrates that tribal districts are generally rich in forest cover. Forests and tribals are closely related. The age-old knowledge of tribals regarding forests can be used in the development of forests. Rather than treating tribals as minor forest produce collectors, they should be made growers of minor forest produce and encouraged to participate in conservation. 

Question and Answers:

Q.7 (i) How is the forest important for tribal people?

Answer: The forest is integral to the tribal way of life. It provides them with:

• Home: The forest is their dwelling place.
• Livelihood: It offers sustenance, including food (fruits, leaves, honey, roots), materials for house construction, and resources for practicing their arts and crafts.
• Cultural and Economic Foundation: It is the basis of their economy and cultural practices.

Q.7 (ii) How many districts are tribal districts?

Answer: According to the 2001 census, there are 187 tribal districts out of a total of 593 districts.

Q.7 (iii) How can it be said that tribal districts are rich in forest cover?

Answer: Tribal districts make up only 33.6% of the country’s geographical area, yet they account for 59.8% of the total forest cover. This disproportion indicates that tribal districts have a higher concentration of forests compared to non-tribal districts.

Q.7 (iv) How can the age-old knowledge of tribals be used?

Answer: Tribals possess extensive traditional knowledge about forests, including:

• Sustainable use of forest resources: They understand how to use forest products without depleting them.
• Medicinal properties of plants: They have knowledge of various plants and their medicinal uses.
• Forest conservation practices: They have traditional methods of protecting and managing forests.

This knowledge can be invaluable in developing effective and sustainable forest management and conservation strategies.

Q.7 (v) How do tribal people live in harmony with the forest and protect them?

Answer: The passage states that it is believed that tribal people live in harmony with nature and protect forests. While the specific practices aren’t detailed in this excerpt, it implies that their traditional lifestyles and cultural practices are often aligned with forest conservation. This could include:

• Respect for nature: A belief system that values and respects the forest ecosystem.
• Sustainable resource use: Practices that ensure the long-term availability of forest resources.
• Traditional conservation methods: Specific practices, rituals, or rules that help protect the forest.

Q.7 (vi) How are the geographical areas of forest with and without tribal districts related?

Answer: The geographical area of the 187 tribal districts constitutes only 33.6% of the total geographical area of the country. However, these districts hold 59.8% of the country’s total forest cover. This means that the remaining 66.4% of the geographical area (non-tribal districts) contains only 40.2% of the forest cover. This stark difference highlights the significant role tribal communities play in forest conservation and the rich forest cover found in tribal regions.

 SECTION – C

Q.08 What are the different types of biodiversity?

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, encompasses the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems. It can be categorized into several types:

• Genetic Diversity: This refers to the variation in genes within a species. It allows for adaptation and evolution, enabling species to survive environmental changes.
• Species Diversity: This refers to the variety of species (all living organisms) in a given area. It’s the most common and easily understood type of biodiversity.
• Ecosystem Diversity: This refers to the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within and between ecosystems. It includes the interactions between living organisms and their environment.
• Functional Diversity: This refers to the variety of biological processes, such as nutrient cycling, energy flow, and water purification, that contribute to ecosystem functioning.
• Taxonomic or Phylogenetic Diversity: This measures the evolutionary relatedness among species. It considers the branching patterns in the tree of life.

Q.09 Which soil is dominant in India? Where is it found? Describe its properties.

The dominant soil in India is alluvial soil.

Location:

• Indo-Gangetic Plains: This is the most extensive area, covering the fertile plains of the Ganges and its tributaries in North India.
• Coastal Plains: Alluvial soils are also found in the coastal regions, formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers and sea waves.
• River Valleys: Smaller patches occur along the valleys of various rivers throughout the country.

Properties:

• Texture: Varies from sandy loam to clayey, depending on the region and the river that deposited it.
• Fertility: Generally very fertile due to the deposition of fresh silt and minerals by rivers during floods.
• Color: Usually light to dark brown or grey.
• Moisture Retention: Varies based on texture, with finer textures retaining more moisture.
• Mineral Content: Rich in potash and lime but often deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Porosity: Generally well-drained and porous, allowing for good aeration.

OR (Alternative part of the question):

If the balance between the process of soil formation and soil erosion is disturbed, the soil erosion becomes a menace. Discuss.

Soil formation (pedogenesis) and soil erosion are natural processes. Soil formation is a slow process that builds up soil over time, while erosion is the removal of topsoil by natural forces like wind and water. A balance between these processes is crucial for maintaining healthy and productive soils.

Disturbance of the Balance:

• Deforestation: Removal of trees exposes the soil to the impact of raindrops and wind, accelerating erosion.
• Overgrazing: Excessive grazing reduces vegetation cover, leaving the soil vulnerable to erosion.
• Improper agricultural practices: Tillage practices that leave the soil bare, especially on slopes, increase erosion.
• Construction and urbanization: Clearing land for construction and development disrupts the natural soil profile and increases runoff, leading to erosion.
• Climate change: Changes in rainfall patterns, increased frequency and intensity of storms, and droughts can exacerbate soil erosion.

Consequences of Accelerated Soil Erosion:

• Loss of topsoil: The fertile topsoil, rich in organic matter and nutrients, is lost, reducing agricultural productivity.
• Reduced water infiltration: Erosion can lead to the formation of a crust on the soil surface, reducing water infiltration and increasing runoff.
• Sedimentation of water bodies: Eroded soil particles are carried into rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, causing sedimentation and reducing their capacity to hold water.
• Desertification: In arid and semi-arid regions, severe soil erosion can lead to desertification, the degradation of land in dry areas.
• Loss of biodiversity: Soil erosion can remove habitats and nutrients, affecting plant growth and reducing biodiversity.

Q.10 What is the economic importance of biodiversity?

Biodiversity provides a wide range of economic benefits:

• Provisioning Services: Directly provides us with resources like:
  • Food: A vast variety of plants and animals provide food for humans.
  • Timber and fiber: Forests provide wood for construction, paper, and textiles.
  • Medicines: Many medicines are derived from natural sources, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
  • Raw materials: Natural resources are used as raw materials in various industries.
• Regulating Services: Ecosystems provide essential services that regulate environmental conditions:
  • Pollination: Insects, birds, and other animals pollinate crops and wild plants.
  • Water purification: Wetlands and forests filter and purify water.
  • Climate regulation: Forests absorb carbon dioxide and regulate local and global climates.
  • Flood control: Wetlands and forests can absorb excess water and reduce flooding.
• Cultural Services: Biodiversity has cultural and aesthetic value:
  • Recreation and tourism: Natural areas provide opportunities for recreation and tourism, generating revenue.
  • Spiritual and religious significance: Many cultures have spiritual and religious connections to nature.
  • Education and research: Biodiversity provides opportunities for education and scientific research.
• Supporting Services: Ecosystems provide essential services that support all other services:
  • Nutrient cycling: Microorganisms and other organisms recycle nutrients, making them available for plant growth.
  • Soil formation: The breakdown of rocks and organic matter forms soil.
  • Primary production: Plants convert sunlight into energy, supporting food webs.

Q.11 What is the difference between a terrestrial ecosystem and an aquatic ecosystem?

Terrestrial Ecosystems:

• Habitat: Land-based, such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
• Primary Producers: Mostly plants that use photosynthesis to produce food.
• Water Availability: Limited water availability is a major limiting factor.
• Temperature Fluctuations: Experience greater temperature fluctuations.
• Organism Adaptations: Organisms have adaptations to conserve water and survive on land.
• Examples: Forests, grasslands, deserts.

Aquatic Ecosystems:

• Habitat: Water-based, such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
• Primary Producers: Include algae, phytoplankton, and aquatic plants.
• Water Availability: Abundant water is available.
• Temperature Fluctuations: Experience smaller temperature fluctuations compared to terrestrial ecosystems.
• Organism Adaptations: Organisms have adaptations for living in water, such as gills for extracting oxygen.
• Examples: Oceans, coral reefs, lakes, rivers.

Key Differences Summarized:

 SECTION – D

Q.12 Distinguish between Relative humidity and absolute humidity. What are different forms of condensation?

Relative Humidity:

• Definition: The amount of water vapor present in air expressed as a percentage of the amount needed for saturation at the same temperature.  
  
• Units: Percentage (%)
• Temperature Dependence: Changes with temperature. Warm air can hold more moisture, so relative humidity decreases if temperature increases (assuming the actual amount of moisture stays the same).
• Example: 50% relative humidity means the air contains half the amount of moisture it could hold at that temperature.

Absolute Humidity:

• Definition: The actual mass of water vapor present in a unit volume of air.
• Units: Grams of water vapor per cubic meter of air (g/m³)
• Temperature Dependence: Not directly dependent on temperature. It measures the actual quantity of water vapor.
• Example: 10 g/m³ absolute humidity means each cubic meter of air contains 10 grams of water vapor.

Forms of Condensation:

Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air changes into liquid water. Different forms include:

• Dew: Water droplets that form on cool surfaces at night when the temperature falls below the dew point.
• Frost: Ice crystals that form on surfaces when the temperature falls below freezing.
• Fog: A cloud at ground level, formed by the condensation of water vapor in the air.
• Clouds: Masses of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.
• Rain: Liquid precipitation in the form of water drops.
• Snow: Solid precipitation in the form of ice crystals.
• Hail: Lumps of ice that form in thunderstorms.

Q.13 What is a tide? What are different types of tides?

A tide is the periodic rise and fall of the sea level, caused by the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun acting on the Earth’s oceans.

Types of Tides:

• Spring Tides: Occur during the new moon and full moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned. The gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon combine to produce the highest high tides and the lowest low tides.
• Neap Tides: Occur during the first and third quarter moons when the Sun, Earth, and Moon form a right angle. The gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon partially cancel each other out, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.
• Diurnal Tides: Characterized by one high tide and one low tide each day. Common in some parts of the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Asia.
• Semidiurnal Tides: Characterized by two high tides and two low tides of approximately equal height each day. Common along the Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe.
• Mixed Tides: A combination of diurnal and semidiurnal tides, with varying heights and times of high and low tides. Common along the Pacific coast of North America.

OR (Alternative part of the question):

What is an ocean current? How are ocean currents formed?

An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of seawater caused by a variety of forces acting upon the water.

Formation of Ocean Currents:

• Wind: Surface currents are primarily driven by wind. Consistent prevailing winds, such as trade winds and westerlies, create large-scale surface currents.
• Density Differences: Differences in water density due to variations in temperature and salinity create thermohaline currents. Cold, salty water is denser and sinks, while warm, less salty water is less dense and rises. This creates vertical movements and drives deep-ocean currents.
• Gravity: Gravity causes water to flow downhill, contributing to the movement of currents.
• Coriolis Effect: The Earth’s rotation deflects moving water (and air) to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection influences the direction of currents.  
  
• Shape of the Coastline: The shape of the coastline and the underwater topography can deflect and channel currents.
• Tides: Tidal currents are created by the ebb and flow of tides, particularly in coastal areas and estuaries.

Q.14 Differentiate between a grazing food chain and a detritus food chain. Discuss the nitrogen cycle.

Grazing Food Chain:

• Starts with: Living plants (producers).
• Energy Flow: Energy flows from producers to herbivores (grazers) and then to carnivores.
• Example: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk

Detritus Food Chain:

• Starts with: Dead organic matter (detritus).
• Energy Flow: Energy flows from detritus to decomposers (bacteria, fungi) and then to detritivores (animals that eat detritus) and their predators.
• Example: Dead leaves → Bacteria & Fungi → Earthworm → Bird

Nitrogen Cycle:

The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical process by which nitrogen is converted into various chemical forms as it circulates through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms. Key steps include:

1. Nitrogen Fixation: Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is converted into ammonia (NH₃) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium in legume roots) or by industrial processes.
2. Ammonification: Organic nitrogen (from dead plants and animals) is converted into ammonia by decomposers.
3. Nitrification: Ammonia is converted into nitrites (NO₂⁻) and then into nitrates (NO₃⁻) by nitrifying bacteria in the soil.
4. Assimilation: Plants take up nitrates (and some ammonia) through their roots and use them to synthesize proteins and other organic compounds.
5. Denitrification: Nitrates are converted back into atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) by denitrifying bacteria in anaerobic conditions (e.g., waterlogged soils).

Q.15 Discuss the temperature structure of the ocean. What are the factors affecting ocean salinity?

Temperature Structure of the Ocean:

The ocean’s temperature varies with depth and latitude. Generally, the ocean can be divided into three layers based on temperature:

1. Surface Layer (Mixed Layer): The top layer, warmed by the sun. It’s relatively warm and well-mixed due to wind and wave action. Temperature is fairly uniform.
2. Intermediate Layer (Thermocline): Below the surface layer, where temperature decreases rapidly with increasing depth. This layer acts as a barrier to heat transfer between the surface and deep layers.
3. Deep Layer: Extends from the thermocline to the ocean floor. Temperatures are very cold and relatively constant.

Factors Affecting Ocean Salinity:

Salinity is the measure of the salt content of seawater. Factors affecting it include:

• Evaporation: Increases salinity by removing fresh water, leaving the salt behind.
• Precipitation: Decreases salinity by adding fresh water to the ocean.
• River Runoff: Decreases salinity by adding fresh water from rivers.
• Ice Formation: Increases salinity because when seawater freezes, most of the salt is excluded, leaving behind a higher concentration of salt in the remaining water.
• Melting of Ice: Decreases salinity by adding fresh water from melting ice.
• Ocean Currents: Can transport water of different salinities from one region to another.

Q.16 What are the factors that control temperature distribution on the Earth’s surface? Discuss the processes by which the Earth’s atmospheric system maintains heat balance.

Factors Controlling Temperature Distribution:

• Latitude: The angle of the sun’s rays varies with latitude. The equator receives direct sunlight, while the poles receive slanting rays, leading to a decrease in temperature from the equator to the poles.
• Altitude: Temperature decreases with increasing altitude in the troposphere.
• Land and Water Distribution: Land heats up and cools down faster than water. Coastal areas have more moderate temperatures compared to inland areas.
• Ocean Currents: Transport heat from one region to another, moderating temperatures along coastlines.
• Prevailing Winds: Can transport warm or cold air masses, affecting regional temperatures.
• Mountain Ranges: Can act as barriers to air masses, creating rain shadows and influencing temperature patterns.
• Vegetation Cover: Affects local temperatures through evapotranspiration and shading.

Earth’s Atmospheric Heat Balance:

The Earth maintains a relatively stable temperature through a balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation. Key processes include:

1. Incoming Solar Radiation: The sun emits shortwave radiation, some of which is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere.
2. Reflection: Some solar radiation is reflected back into space by clouds, aerosols, and the Earth’s surface (albedo).
3. Absorption: The Earth’s surface and atmosphere absorb solar radiation, converting it into heat.
4. Terrestrial Radiation: The Earth emits longwave (infrared) radiation.
5. Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) in the atmosphere trap some of the outgoing terrestrial radiation, warming the Earth.
6. Convection and Conduction: Heat is transferred within the atmosphere and oceans through convection (vertical movement of air or water) and conduction (transfer of heat

 SECTION – E