Natural Resources Management and Humans 13.00 Discuss the relationship between natural resources management and humans.

13.01 Discuss the importance of sustainability and conservation in relation to humans.

Sustainable Living Sustaining Life – the process of meeting the needs of living things Includes providing food, water and shelter. These are called sustenance.

Sustainable Living Sustainable Resource Use – the use of resources so they last a long time

Sustainable Living Sustainable Development – the use of development practices that benefit people without damaging the environment

Sustainable Living Sustainable Agriculture – the use of agricultural practices that assure the future production of crops and livestock

Sustainable Living Conservation – the wise use of natural resources

Sustainable Living Quality of Life – the degree of satisfaction people derive from their environment

Design for the Environment “DFE” is the concept of including environmental considerations in manufacturing and construction. Business leaders are encouraged to consider the environment when making decisions about: Product design – possible environmental impact. Materials – use environmentally friendly materials. Purchases – buy materials either recycled or recyclable, and produced with minimum environmental impact.

Life Needs Food Water Air Humans need about 2 quarts per day. Respiration is the process an organism uses to provide its cell with oxygen so energy can be released from digested foods.

Life Needs Space Shelter & Protection Territory is the area an animal used and protects as its own. Shelter & Protection Some animals adapt, some hibernate and some migrate.

Roles of Humans Humans have three major roles in maintaining the quality of the environment. Users – humans use the resource to support life functions. Decision-makers – Humans decide which resources are used, and how they are used. Conservationists – Humans can prevent waste and they should not be an abuser of the environment.

The Environment as Home Every living organism requires an environment that sustains life. Ecosystem – a natural environment has many ecosystems Habitat - the proper arrangement of four essential elements: food, water, shelter and space

The Environment as Home Energy Transfer Energy is the ability to be active and do work - Ecosystems need this energy to exist Energy moves from the sun  organisms  other organisms Food Chain - the ranking of species into successive levels where each feeds on the one below Food Web - all the interconnected food chains of an ecosystem

Conservation vs. Preservation Conservation - the wise use of a natural resource, preventing unnecessary damage or loss A conservationist is a person who feels that natural resources should be used in ways that assure their continuing availability on a long-term basis. Preservation - the nonuse of a natural resource Preservationist is a person who believes in preservation or protection of resources. Some preservationists believe that trees should not be harvested for human use, but be used solely for their beauty and environmental benefits.

Conservation vs. Preservation Apathy Environmental apathy is when people are not interested in the environment. It is found in people who are removed, or not involved, in an issue.

Human Effects on the Environment Symbiotic Relationships Different species of organisms live together and benefit each other. The effect of humans on the environment is a much-debated issue.

Planning Ahead Human Impact Humans affect all natural resources. Often, we only consider the aesthetic benefits which is the feeling of well-being received from something of beauty in our environment. Plants not only have aesthetic value, but keep hot areas cooler and provide shelter from winds as well.

Planning Ahead Chemicals are not always bad. One good chemical is fertilizer which is a chemical compound used to provide nutrients for plant growth. Many problems with chemicals come from overuse or misuse. One chemical that caused environmental problems is the insecticide DDT. It did not break down and, therefore, it accumulated in the food chains and foods webs.

Planning Ahead Maintaining Habitats The major affect humans have had on the environment has been habitat destruction. The resource most affected has been wildlife. Some species are able to adapt to changes in their habitat. An example is a house wren building its nest in the corner of a house.

Planning Ahead Abuse of Resources When resources are abused, they are depleted. An example of this problem is in the settling of the United States. Resources were viewed as unlimited. They were abused or overused and problems resulted. The Dust Bowl is a specific example of land abuse. Crops could not grow and the unprotected soil was eroded by the wind.

Planning Ahead Conservation Measures Many conservation measures have been put in place. These measures must be proven not only for conservation of the resource, but for economic and productive purposes as well. An example is a flow restrictor on a showerhead, which saves money as well as conserves water.

Developing Personal Beliefs About the Environment How one feels about the environment is influenced by: Age. Gender. Culture. Education. Other factors.

Developing Personal Beliefs About the Environment Studying the environment and resource use helps people to make intelligent choices. The media often publicizes environmental issues. These issues can often be made more confusing because there may be no clear-cut information presented to make an informed decision. The rain forest is an example of an environmental issue often misrepresented by the media.

Developing Personal Beliefs About the Environment Compromising is often needed and achieved by conservationists and preservationists, often when all sides consider the economic value of the issue. The best way to develop good personal beliefs about the environment and natural resources is to be properly and thoroughly informed from various sources.

Being accurately informed about environmental issues is the key to developing personal beliefs about conservation of natural resources. Find an article where a media crew covered an issue dealing with natural resources. Write a report about the article including the following: Summary of article. Did the media crew seem to be on the side of conservation, preservation, or apathy? Did the media skew any of the report by leaving out details or over emphasizing certain facts? How could the media have presented the story more fairly?

13.02 Interpret human population growth and the demands it places on the environment and natural resources.

Human Population Growth Population changes are due to two factors: Natural change Migration

Human Population Growth Demography is the science of human population. Demographics is the information collected, such as age, gender, income, race, and education.

Human Population Growth Natural Population Change Birth rate (fertility rate) is the average number of births per 1000 people per year. Death rate (mortality rate) is the average number of deaths per 1000 people per year. Migration is when people move from one area to another.

Human Population Demands Overpopulation: Depletion, Hunger and Endangerment Overpopulation - leads to depletion of resources, hunger and conflict. Resource depletion - the act of using resources faster than they can be restored or preserved. Desertification - when once productive land forms into desert. Hunger - an acute shortage of food. Malnourishment - a lack of the proper nutrients. Undernourishment - the lack of calories for energy. Endangerment - any activity that threatens a species with extinction.