Natural Resources

Where the things you use or consume on a regular basis come from?

Activity: Everyone pick an item you own (clothing, pencil case, shoe..) write on the board where it comes from.

Most items you purchase will say that it is made in some country. Although this is true, if you go back another step, it becomes obvious that all the things we use and consume have their origins in nature.

The monitor you are using to read this paragraph is made from natural resources such as sand, for the glass, copper for the wires, petroleum for the plastic and so on. Without natural resources, we would not exist.

Have you ever wondered?

Are materials that exist in nature that have material economic value. Forests, fresh water and mineral deposits are examples of natural

resources.

Natural resources are used to make food and fuel, and are used as materials in the production of finished goods.

The economic value of natural resources changes over time. In the early 1900s coal was in high demand. Many industries and

households used coal for heat and energy. As gas and oil became more popular, the demand for coal diminished until it was practically worthless.

Many coal mines were closed because there was very little need for it. In recent years, the demand for coal has increased as large farms and smaller industries are seeing coal as a competitive alternative to heating with electricity or gas.

Natural Resources

Sort these words into categories with headings.Hint: Find the main headings first.

Word Sort

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EYSSc-xGtY

Video…

Natural Resources can be divided into two groups?

Renewable

Non-Renewable

Renewable resources are resources that can be used and replaced.

They include plants and animals, which reproduce and thus replace themselves.

Most renewable resources cannot be stored for future use. Water, for example, is a renewable resource that can be used but cannot effectively be stored for a long period of time.

Renewable resources often are living organisms and interact with one another. As a result, the use of one such resource affects many other renewable resources. If water is polluted while it is being used, that pollution finds its way into other renewable resources and contaminates them as well. soil, air, water, wood, and sunlight

Renewable Resources:

Non-renewable resources cannot be replaced after they are used. They often take many years to form.

After they are extracted from the earth, they can be stored for a considerable length of time.

Most non-renewable resources are not living organisms so the extraction and use of one resource will not impact other non-renewable resources. Iron is a non-renewable resource. It takes many years and geological

processes for iron to form. Once it is mined, it can be refined and then stored for some time. The extraction of the iron from the earth’s crust has no impact on the petroleum reserves.

Examples: oil, coal, gas, and uranium.

Non- Renewable Resources

Forestry

Forests cover ½ of Canada’s total area63% of our forests are composed of coniferous

trees22% are composed of deciduous trees15% are mixed forestOnly Russia and Brazil have more forest

Coniferous KEEP, Deciduous DOWN.

Canada’s forests are divided into two broad categories: commercial and non-commercial

Facts

Commercial forests – Forests that have trees that can be harvested for a profit (cut down for $)

Non-Commercial Forests – Forests that are unlikely to be cut down for industrial use

How do we determine whether a forest is Com/Non.?

Commercial vs. Non–Commercial forests

Commercial Forests These tend to exist in southern portions of the forested areas where climate and soils are more suitable for greater quantity and size of trees.

Close to road, railways and waterways – good for transportation

Non-commercial Forests These are generally found in the northern portions of the forested area. Cooler/dryer climates make the trees grow slower. These trees are not suitable for harvest or grow too far apart for profitable harvest.

Far from markets – expensive transportation

What determines whether a forest is commercial or non-commercial?

There are three distinct ways of harvesting trees.

Observe the pictures on the following slides and write down a description of what you see in the boxes in your booklet.

TYPES OF LOGGING

#1 Describe what you see

Clear-cutting is the most common method in Canada. Loggers cut and remove every tree in the area leaving the

landscape barren.

This method is the cheapest and quickest way of harvesting trees.

The debris that is left behind provides nutrients for reforestation.

The new forest grows up uniformly (same species, size and age of trees) – makes for easy logging next time

Con: One of the problems with clear-cutting is the potential for erosion.

The trees are no longer available to prevent soil erosion and heavy rain falls can very quickly erode the valuable soil.

# 1 Clear Cutting

# 2 Describe what you see?

Involves cutting up to 70% of the trees in an area, leaving small patches of old growth standing to provide seed for regeneration.

Groups of seed bearing trees are left behind so that they will regenerate the area.

No replanting is necessary.

This method is used in locations where the trees have grown and aged relatively evenly.

This method is somewhat more costly and time consuming.

Not as efficient, don’t get as many trees.

#2 Shelter Wood Logging

#3 Describe what you see?

In this method only a certain type, size, or quality of tree is harvested, leaving all others behind.

This method is extremely time consuming and costly.

Although many trees are left to stabilize water flow and erosion, it is very difficult for reforestation to take place.

Costly process – costs more $$ and takes more time to collect enough trees.

Much less disruptive to the forest environment

No replanting needed

#3 Selective Cutting

For each of the three types of logging, record the attitude that various groups of people would have toward that method.

Quick Exercise..

Threats to Forest!

Acid precipitation is caused by the emissions from factories in the industrial sector.

Acid rain causes injury, slower growth and death in trees. Trees may not grow as fast because the soil is

full of acid which degrades the soil. Leaves and needles will turn brown and

eventually fall off.

Acid Rain

Acid Rain Cycle…

The amount of forest damaged every year by pests and diseases is greater than the amount harvested by companies.

Some of the more common pests are tent caterpillars, pine beetles and gypsy moth.

Pests can get inside the bark and eat away at the tree.

Pests and Diseases

Forest fires are not always a bad thing. New trees are able to regenerate quickly in a

burned forest.The cones from some pine trees are better able

to open with some heat. The fire allows them to do this and this will cause the seeds to fall out of the cones.

Forest Fires

Industry related to forestry

Pulp and Paper Industry

The pulp and paper industry contains huge factories that break down trees into individual fibers and turns them into paper products.

Lumber Industry

• Sawmills are a much smaller operation than a pulp and paper mill.

• These plants cut trees into smaller pieces in order to make timber, plywood, or cedar singles.

Take a look at the map located on page 300 of your textbook and answer the questions.

Quick Exercise

There are pulp and paper mills in most Canadian provinces, however the majority of them are located in Ontario and Quebec.

Pulp and paper requires the trees to be completely broken down.This requires a great deal of energy.

Less energy will be used if the trees being broken down are a smaller size. Trees in Ontario and Quebec are smaller because of

the shorter growing season and low levels of precipitation.

Pulp and paper Mills

The majority of sawmills are located in BC.

Sawmills like to use large trees.The larger the tree, the more lumber it can

produce.

The largest trees in the country are found in BC due to the narrow temperature range and heavy precipitation.

Sawmills