environmental resources unit natural resources. problem area introduction to natural resources
TRANSCRIPT
Exploring Natural Resources
Lesson
What is around you? Examine your surroundings, write
down everything that is living or was once living.
Think about what you are wearing, where you are sitting, what you are writing on, etc.
Types of Natural Resources Resources that occur
naturally in nature are known as natural resources.
Natural resources can be found in our environment.
The environment are the conditions that surround us.
Types of Natural Resources Natural resources cannot be
made by man, but man can help ensure their continued existence.
People need many natural resources to live.
Other natural resources are used to make life easier.
Natural Resources Groups Air and wind Fossil fuels Minerals People Soil Sunlight Water Wildlife
Air and Wind The atmosphere is the area
surrounding the Earth. Air is the mixture of gases that
surrounds the Earth. Wind is the movement of the air. Water vapor, gases, and
particulate can be found in the atmosphere.
Air and Wind The conditions found in the
atmosphere are what causes weather. Weather is the condition of the
atmosphere, including moisture, temperature, movement, and pressure.
Air and Wind The climate of an area helps
determine which natural resources can survive in the area. Climate is the condition of the
weather in a particular location.
Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels are natural resources
used to provide energy. Fossil fuels took millions of years to
make. They are the remains of decomposed
plants and animals. Their energy comes from the energy
produced by the plants and animals.
Fossil Fuels Groups Petroleum Natural gas Coal
Petroleum Liquid form of fossil fuels used to
make gasoline and oils.
Natural Gas Gaseous form of fossil fuels used
in heating and cooking.
Coal Solid form of fossil fuels used in
factories and generating electricity.
Minerals Natural inorganic substances on or in
the earth. Are not living things. Mined from the earth and are used to
produce everything from iron to brick. Jewelry, coins, monuments, and
concrete are also made from minerals.
People Help determine how other natural
resources are used. As the population increases,
natural resource use will increase. The wise use of resources is
necessary to ensure their future availability.
Soil Outer layer of the earth’s surface that
supports life. Plants grow in soil, humans and other
animals eat plants, humans and animals produce waste that provides nutrients for plants to grow, and the cycle continues.
However, soil can be easily eroded by misuse.
Soil must be protected in order for it to continue to be a resource.
Sunlight The source of almost all the energy
used on the Earth. The light from the sun produces solar
energy. Plants use this energy in the process of
photosynthesis. People can also use this energy if it is
harnessed using solar collectors.
Water A tasteless, colorless, liquid natural
resource. All living things need water to survive.
Water is a naturally occurring compound made up of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
Water can be found in three forms, solid, liquid, and gas.
Water Cycle Movement of water
from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back to the surface.
Water is continuously renewed through the hydrologic cycle.
Wildlife All of the plants and animals that
live in the wild. These plants and animals have
not been domesticated. Domestication is the control of
plants and animals by man.
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources One way to classify natural
resources is based on their renewability.
Renewability is whether or not a resource can be restored after use.
Some natural resources can be renewed, others cannot.
Renewable Natural Resources Natural resources that can be
replaced after use. They can be renewed and used
again, but it may take many years. Soil is a renewable natural resource,
however it is not a fast process. Plants and water are other renewable
natural resources.
Nonrenewable Natural Resources Natural resources that cannot be
replaced after use. Minerals and fossils fuels are two
types of nonrenewable natural resources.
Inexhaustible and Exhaustible Natural Resources
Exhaustibility refers to whether or not a natural resource can be replenished as it is used. As with renew ability, some
resources can be exhausted, others cannot.
Inexhaustible Natural Resource A resource that is continuously
replenished, the supply of the resource will not run out. Sunlight, wind, and water are
inexhaustible natural resources.
Exhaustible Natural Resource A resource that is available in limited
quantity and can be completely used. Exhaustible resources can be
replaceable or irreplaceable. A replaceable natural resource can be
replenished. Most wildlife are replaceable.
An irreplaceable natural resource is gone once it is used. Fossil fuels and most minerals are irreplaceable.
Interdependent Relationships The idea that all
natural resources depend on each other is known as natural resource dependence. This means that
all living things depend on each other.
Natural Resource Dependence Humans need animals for food,
clothing, and at one time for work. Humans and animals need plants
to live. Plants are used for food and the
plants help produce oxygen needed to breathe.
Natural Resource Dependence Plants depend on animals and
humans. Animals, including humans, give off
carbon dioxide that the plants need to live.
Natural Resource Dependence When animals die, they
decompose. The decomposition process
releases minerals back into the soil.
Plants can use these minerals for growth.
Human use of Natural Resources Humans use natural resources to
help meet their three basic needs. The three basic needs of humans
are food, clothing, and shelter. The use of natural resources to
meet these needs is in two forms, consumptive use and non-consumptive use.
Consumptive Use Using a natural resource so that the
amount used no longer exists. Each time that resource is used, its
supply is reduced. An example of consumptive use is
hunting. Once that animal is killed and removed
from the wild, it no longer exists.
Non-consumptive Use Using a natural resource without
reducing its supply. An example of non-consumptive use
is watching wildlife. It is possible to enjoy the beauty of the
wildlife without killing or removing it from the wild.
It is being used for enjoyment, not being consumed.
Human Population Trends Population is the number of
people in a given area. Changes in the population of an
area occur over time as an area develops.
Human Population Trends The population of
the earth is currently 6 billion people. That number is
predicted to nearly double over the next 50 years.
Demography
The study of the human population. It is studied by people called social
scientists. Demographics are the data
collected about the human population.
Human Impact on Natural Resources Virtually all human activities impact
natural resources. From the use of water to bathe to
the use of animals for food, natural resource use is unavoidable.
Urban and Rural Impacts on Natural Resource Use The difference in impact between
urban and rural areas is determined by their population density.
Urban Impacts
People live closer together in urban areas. Therefore,
urban areas have a more dense population.
Land-use Planning Deciding how land will be used. In order to use land in the best
possible way, people depend on land-use planning.
The plan developed should include guidelines on how to use the land for agricultural, commercial, and residential areas.
Land-use Planning The goal of land-use planning
should be to help preserve agricultural and wildlife areas.
Zoning may be necessary to keep areas from being used in ways that are not planned for.
Zoning
Zoning is setting aside certain areas of land for specified use.
Land-use Planning In order to protect our resources,
urban and rural areas must work together.
Urban areas rely on rural areas to provide them with quality water, a consistent food supply, and materials to build their homes.
Rural areas depend on urban areas to do their best to keep the environment clean and healthy.
Recycling and Reusing Natural Resources
The demand for natural resources can be reduced if we recycle the ones we currently use.
Trees, minerals, and water are examples of natural resources that can be recycled and reused.
Recycling and Reusing Natural Resources
Following through with these practices can ensure the sustainability of natural resources.
Sustainability is going about life so that resources are available for future generations to use.
Recycling Using a product or the materials
to make a product again. Aluminum, iron, plastic, paper,
and glass are examples of items that can be recycled.
Items can be recycled at recycling centers.
Reusing Using a product again and again
without re-manufacturing. Examples of reusing a product
include using grocery store bags as lunch sacks and refilling plastic water bottle with tap water to drink or to use as a watering can.