Natural Resources

Natural Resources Occur naturally Found in our

environment Environment = the

conditions that surround us

Natural Resources NOT made by man, but man can

help ensure their continued existence

Some are essential others are used to make life easier

Natural Resources Groups Air and wind Fossil fuels Minerals People Soil Sunlight Water Wildlife

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Resources Renewable

Can be replaced after use Soil, plants, and water

Nonrenewable Cannot be replaced after use Minerals and fossils fuels

Inexhaustible vs. Exhaustible Resources

Inexhaustible continuously replenished, the supply of the

resource will not run out Sunlight, wind, and water

Exhaustible Available in limited quantity and can be completely

used Can be replaceable or irreplaceable

Replaceable = can be replenished (wildlife) Irreplaceable = gone once it is used (fossil fuels and most

minerals)

Interdependent Relationships All natural

resources depend on each other This means that

all living things depend on each other.

Interdependent Relationships Humans need animals for food,

clothing, and at one time for work. Humans and animals need plants

to live. Used for food Produce oxygen needed to breathe

Interdependent Relationships Plants depend on animals and

humans. Animals, including humans, give off

carbon dioxide that the plants need to live.

Interdependent Relationships When animals die, they

decompose. The decomposition process

releases minerals back into the soil.

Plants can use these minerals for growth.

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.

Food Web Activity Pick a community within an

ecosystem Draw a food web showing the

relationships within the community Should have at least three food

chains Be sure to draw the environment in

detail besides the organisms

Food Web Activity Label each of the following in your

food web Abiotic and biotic parts The dominant species Aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem Where competition and predation

takes place Herbivores, carnivores, omnivores

What does it mean? Adaptation Succession Selection Homeostasis Biome

Adaptation Organism’s ability to tolerate

change in its environment Necessary for survival Occurs because the species goes

through change over time Examples:

Succession Replacement of one community

by another Occurs naturally over time Can be altered by humans Examples:

Selection Survival of organisms that are

best adapted to their environment Many changes occur through

genetics Examples:

Homeostasis Process in which organisms maintain

a constant internal environment when the external environment changes Homeotherms (warm-blooded or

endotherms) - can maintain a constant body temperature

Poikilotherms (cold-blooded or ectothermic) – cannot maintain a constant body temperature

Biome Area made up of a distinct

combination of plants and animals Made up of the groups of

ecosystems found on earth terrestrial or aquatic Examples:

RAFT Role

Pick one: tree, soil, water, or air Audience

Local residence or local politicians Format

Letter Topic

Inform them of the your importance and what is happening to you

Persuade them to help you survive because you are important to them

Things to include What biome and ecosystem are you a

part of? What is your importance?

Remember food webs, your relationship with other natural resources (interdependence), and how are humans dependent on you

How are you in danger? What can be done to help?

Week 9/7 What do you already know about

your topic?

What are some things you would like to find out about your topic?

Could all your aunts, uncles and cousins live with you?

Write down the number of people in your immediate family. Count the number of aunts, uncles, cousins,

and grandparents you have. Add this to the number of people in your

immediate family. What would happen if you all had to live in

one house? Consider the amount of room that many

people would take up and how much food and water they’d need.

Human use of Natural Resources Meet their three basic needs

Food Clothing Shelter

Can be 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. Example = 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

Human Population Trends Population = number of

people in a given area Current world

population = 6.86 billion Predicted to double in

the next 50 years Current US population

= 310 million

Land-use Planning Deciding how land will be used Includes guidelines on how to use the land

for agricultural, commercial, and residential areas 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

Demand for natural resources can be reduced if we recycle and/or reuse the ones we currently use

Can ensure the sustainability of natural resources Sustainability = going about life so that

resources are available for future generations to use