Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources Chapter 2

Theme Outline Lesson 2.2 Availability of ResourcesAvailability of Resources Removing Earth’s ResourcesRemoving Earth’s Resources Natural Events Can Affect Resource AvailabilityNatural Events Can Affect Resource Availability

Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology Standard B Evaluate factors affecting availability of natural resources.Evaluate factors affecting availability of natural resources. Describe natural occurrences that may affect the natural resources. Describe natural occurrences that may affect the natural resources. Analyze technologies that affect the use of our natural resources. Analyze technologies that affect the use of our natural resources. Evaluate the effect of consumer desires on various natural resources. Evaluate the effect of consumer desires on various natural resources.

Learning Objectives Students will explain some of the technologies that affect the use of natural resources.Students will explain some of the technologies that affect the use of natural resources. Students will describe natural events that may affect natural resources.Students will describe natural events that may affect natural resources. Students will evaluate the effect of consumer demands on energy resources by contrasting energy uses and conservation in different regions.Students will evaluate the effect of consumer demands on energy resources by contrasting energy uses and conservation in different regions.

Earth’s Resources One of the most challenging issues around resource use, is the extraction of resources from the Earth.One of the most challenging issues around resource use, is the extraction of resources from the Earth. Common extraction methods:Common extraction methods: Harvesting Food and Fiber Harvesting Food and Fiber Quarries Quarries Oil and Gas Wells Oil and Gas Wells

Harvesting Food and Fiber Manual removalManual removal Example: hoe, sickle, and handsaw Example: hoe, sickle, and handsaw Mechanized removalMechanized removal Example: cultivators, tractors, windrowers, combines, and chainsaws Example: cultivators, tractors, windrowers, combines, and chainsaws

Quarry Definition : excavation pit in Earth’s crust from whichDefinition : excavation pit in Earth’s crust from which rock resources are removed. rock resources are removed. Large rock extractions Large rock extractions Rock can be extracted using machines that leave large slabs of rock intact. Rock can be extracted using machines that leave large slabs of rock intact. Small rock extractions Small rock extractions Rock can be extracted using machines that crush and pulverize the rock into smaller rocks, which are generally then sorted according to size. Rock can be extracted using machines that crush and pulverize the rock into smaller rocks, which are generally then sorted according to size.

Quarries

Oil and Gas Wells These wells are drilled using a complex set of machines, engines, pumps, pipes, and drills to harvest oil, as well as the once thought “useless” natural gas products trapped underground in rock formations.These wells are drilled using a complex set of machines, engines, pumps, pipes, and drills to harvest oil, as well as the once thought “useless” natural gas products trapped underground in rock formations. Initial work is done using specifically deigned rigs, which are later replaced by oil wells once the product begins to flow.Initial work is done using specifically deigned rigs, which are later replaced by oil wells once the product begins to flow.

Natural Events Can Affect Resource Availability  Common natural events include: Severe WeatherSevere Weather Biological InfestationsBiological Infestations Natural Oil SeepsNatural Oil Seeps FireFire

Severe Weather Period of excessive precipitationPeriod of excessive precipitation Example: can cause crops to rotExample: can cause crops to rot Periods of little (or no) precipitationPeriods of little (or no) precipitation Example: decrease crop yields, crop failureExample: decrease crop yields, crop failure Extremely cold wintersExtremely cold winters Example: reduce crop availabilityExample: reduce crop availability Extremely hot summersExtremely hot summers Example: cause crops to dry, wilt, or dieExample: cause crops to dry, wilt, or die

Biological Infestations Unwanted organisms can enter and infect natural resources.Unwanted organisms can enter and infect natural resources. Many of these unwanted organisms are pathogens – organisms that cause disease.Many of these unwanted organisms are pathogens – organisms that cause disease. Found naturally in all bodies of freshwater.Found naturally in all bodies of freshwater. Example: Cryptosporidium, Giardia lambia

Natural Oil Seeps Naturally occurring events that bring petroleum-based products to the surface of the Earth.Naturally occurring events that bring petroleum-based products to the surface of the Earth. Naturally processes breakdown these compounds, but if these compounds enter water supplies before this process occurs, contaminations can occur.Naturally processes breakdown these compounds, but if these compounds enter water supplies before this process occurs, contaminations can occur.

Fire Major sources of ecosystem fires:Major sources of ecosystem fires: Forest fire Forest fire Natural Natural Human Activities Human Activities Volcanic eruptions Volcanic eruptions Can potentially destroy acres of forested land that is potentially harvestable and marketable.Can potentially destroy acres of forested land that is potentially harvestable and marketable.