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.