Soil and Forest

Soil 

Soil is the crust part of the earth. It is mainly the mixture of rock particles and humus.

• land and soil comprise the weathered layer of the earth’s crust with living organisms and products of their decay.
• Soil is a natural resource, which is required for production of food, industrial raw materials as well as for generation of energy resources. 
•  Soil is often called the "living skin" of the earth.  
• In rural areas, it's easily visible, but in large cities, it's hidden beneath buildings and roads. 
• Two important ways that people use soil are for agriculture and the support of buildings and roads. 
• Soil is a mixture of rock particles and organic matter, such as animal manure, leaves and other plant waste 
• Agriculture Plant growth is a primary use of soil.  
•  Its pH is a major factor in how effective soil is for growing plants, the desired range in between 6.0 to 6.5. 
•  Nation’s economy is inseparably linked with the fertility and abundance of the soil resources.   
•  It supports the growth of plants by holding the roots firmly and supplying water and nutrients.  
• It is the home for many organisms.  
•  Soil is essential for agriculture. Agriculture provides food, clothing and shelter for all.  
• Soil is thus an inseparable part of our life.

 

 

 

 Forest

• It is a natural ecosystem having trees of many ages and species.

• Forest occupy 22.74 percent of the land area in India.

• Wood is used as fuel.
  

• As a natural resources forest supply wood and many other products such as fibers,bamboos,gums,medicines,honey etc.

• Forests are an extremely important natural resource that can potentially be sustainably harvested and managed to yield a diversity of commodities of economic importance.

• Many other plant products can also be collected from forests, such as fruits, nuts, mushrooms, and latex for manufacturing rubber. In addition, many species of animals are hunted in forests, for recreation or for subsistence.

• Forests provide additional goods and services that are important to both human welfare and to ecological integrity, including the control of erosion and water flows, and the cleansing of air and water of pollutants. 

• Plants clean the air, cool it on hot days, conserve heat at night, and act as excellent sound Absorbers.

•  Evergreen forests grow in the high rainfall areas of the Western Ghats, North –eastern India and  the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These forests grow in areas where the monsoon period lasts for several months.

• Dead plants decompose to form humus, organic matter that holds the water and provides nutrients to the soil.