Forest and Mineral Resources World Geography 3200 Chapter 10

Forests

Locations & Features of Forests (p.162) The type of forest growing in any one region of the world reflects the unique environmental conditions of that region. The type of forest growing in any one region of the world reflects the unique environmental conditions of that region. For example, coniferous trees are adapted to our cold, moist boreal ecosytem… For example, coniferous trees are adapted to our cold, moist boreal ecosytem… Pure Stands: a single species of tree that dominates an area. Pure Stands: a single species of tree that dominates an area. These develop because different tree species have different needs with elevation, slope, drainage, rainfall,… These develop because different tree species have different needs with elevation, slope, drainage, rainfall,…

Locations and Features of Forests Do questions 1 & 2, page 163 Do questions 1 & 2, page 163

Deforestation (p.163) = the conversion of forested land to other uses. = the conversion of forested land to other uses. Examples include agriculture, human settlement, mining operations, hydroelectric power developments,… Examples include agriculture, human settlement, mining operations, hydroelectric power developments,… Do #6 & 7, page 163 Do #6 & 7, page 163

Tree Harvesting (p.165) Clearcutting: the Harvesting of all timber in an area at the same time. Clearcutting: the Harvesting of all timber in an area at the same time.

Tree Harvesting Strip-Cutting: strips of forest m wide are clearcut, leaving undisturbed forest strips between Strip-Cutting: strips of forest m wide are clearcut, leaving undisturbed forest strips between

Tree Harvesting Selective Cutting: selected trees are harvested from a forest site. Selective Cutting: selected trees are harvested from a forest site.

Minerals

Mineral Resources Minerals are the inorganic chemical elements or compounds found in Earth’s crust. Minerals are the inorganic chemical elements or compounds found in Earth’s crust. There are over 2000 minerals, categorized into 4 main categories: There are over 2000 minerals, categorized into 4 main categories: 1. Metallic 2. Non-Metallic 3. Fossil Fuel 4. Structural

Metallic Minerals Found near earth’s crust Found near earth’s crust Carry electric charges and heat Carry electric charges and heat Are usually lustrous (“shiny”) Are usually lustrous (“shiny”) Examples are gold, aluminum, iron ore,… Examples are gold, aluminum, iron ore,…

Non-Metallic Minerals Found deep in the ground Found deep in the ground Poor conductors of electricity and heat Poor conductors of electricity and heat Lack lustre (not “shiny”) Lack lustre (not “shiny”) Examples are potash, salt, peat,… Examples are potash, salt, peat,…

Fossil Fuels Found deep under the Earth’s surface Found deep under the Earth’s surface Formed from decomposed organic materials Formed from decomposed organic materials Store huge amounts of solar energy, from which the original carbon was formed through photosynthesis Store huge amounts of solar energy, from which the original carbon was formed through photosynthesis Examples are crude oil, coal, natural gas, uranium,… Examples are crude oil, coal, natural gas, uranium,…

Structural Minerals Found on or near the earth’s surface Found on or near the earth’s surface Composed of mineral grains cemented together Composed of mineral grains cemented together Useful for building materials like gyproc Useful for building materials like gyproc Examples are gypsum, limestone, clay,… Examples are gypsum, limestone, clay,…

Finding Minerals Finding minerals like gold might involve the following steps: Finding minerals like gold might involve the following steps: Prospectors analyse topography to find probable gold deposits Prospectors analyse topography to find probable gold deposits Remote detection techniques are used, such as magnetic surveys, seismic measurements and radiation tests Remote detection techniques are used, such as magnetic surveys, seismic measurements and radiation tests Core samples are drilled from the ground and checked for metal anomalies Core samples are drilled from the ground and checked for metal anomalies If these are found to be positive, a claim is registered with the government If these are found to be positive, a claim is registered with the government

Extracting Minerals Open-Pit Mining Open-Pit Mining Used for minerals near the earth’s surface Used for minerals near the earth’s surface Surface material is removed and rock is extracted in layers Surface material is removed and rock is extracted in layers Once finished, huge holes and piles of waste rock are left Once finished, huge holes and piles of waste rock are left

Extracting Minerals Underground Mining Underground Mining Used to extract minerals deep beneath the surface Little waste rock is left over, but this is very expensive and dangerous