Natural Resource Any material that occurs naturally and can be used for food, energy or in any way to meet human needs Examples ▫ soil, water, fish and wildlife, forests, plants, solar and wind energy, fossil fuels and minerals

Renewable Natural ResourcesNon-renewable Natural Resources Can be replaced or replenished after use within one lifetime Cannot be replaced or replenished within a lifetime No human efforts can replace the non-renewable natural resources

Preservation Emphasizes the protection of something for its inherent qualities, such as beauty Focus is on preserving the area in its original state and leaving it for future generations

Conservation Emphasizes the use of natural resources in ways that benefit humans while still maintaining the resource for future generations

Ecosystem Community of living organisms and their environment Made up of biotic and abiotic components

Biotic Components of an ecosystem are the living organisms within the ecosystem such as humans, plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria

Biodiversity A variety of organisms within an ecosystem Abiotic Non-living parts of the ecosystem such as sunlight, atmosphere, water, soil, topography, and climate (temperature, precipitation, wind)

Interdependence within an Ecosystem Sun provides heat and light Water is needed by both plants and animals Soil provides nutrients to plants and anchors them to the ground Plants provide food Animals fertilize the soil, pollinate flowers and deposit seeds

Producers Green plants that make their own food through photosynthesis Consumers Organisms that eat the plants or other consumers Can be broken down further ▫ Primary-eat plants, herbivores ▫ Secondary-can be carnivores or omnivores ▫ Tertiary-eat secondary consumers

Decomposers Organisms that break down dead plants and animal matter Return organic nutrients back into the ecosystem ▫ Bacteria and fungi

Pollution Harmful or poisonous substances introduced into the environment Land, air and water are affected Occurs when waste is not properly disposed

Waste Prevention Reduce waste – generate less! Use less packaging Develop products that are durable and long-lasting Use durable, reusable items Bring your own reusable bags for shopping

Recycle Act of treating or processing to make suitable for reuse ▫ Keeps products from becoming waste ▫ Allows new products to be made Recycling … ▫ helps the environment ▫ can create jobs and income ▫ supplies raw materials for manufacturing processes

Compost Recycling organic materials so they can be used as soil additives Creates nutrient rich soil material that can be used in gardens and landscaping

Landfills Should be used for waste that cannot be prevented or recycled Isolate solid waste from the environment Have a bottom liner Covered daily

Combustion Involves the burning of solid wastes to reduce volume Can be used as a means to generate energy through recovery of methane Facilities produce steam and water that can generate electricity

Why Recycle? Waste reduction Conservation Energy and cost savings Reduction of pollution Lowers cost for waste disposal Conserves natural resources Creates jobs