1. Section 6-2: Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources

2. Overgrazing Grazing on commons 100 yrs ago in England
Land became overused
No longer able to support cattle
AKA “Tragedy of the Commons”

3. Tragedy of the Commons
Refers to the idea that any resource can be destroyed through overuse
Groundwater
Fish populations
Whales: Some whales were hunted to near extinction
Who is responsible for protecting a resource?

4. 6–2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
A. Classifying Resources
B. Sustainable Development
C. Land Resources
D. Forest Resources
E. Fishery Resources
1. Overfishing
2. Sustainable Development
3. Aquaculture
F. Air Resources
G. Freshwater Resources
Section 6-2
Section Outline

5. A. Classifying Resources
Renewable or Nonrenewable Resources

6. Renewable or Nonrenewable
Can regenerate or be replenished
Example: A tree can grow in place of an old tree
Not necessarily an unlimited resource - example water!
One that cannot be replenished (by natural processes)
Fossil fuels, oil, natural gas
When depleted, they are gone forever

7. B. Sustainable Development
Meeting our needs while maintaining the ecosystem.

8. Sustainable Development
This is one possible answer to how we can meet our needs.
Using natural resources without: *depleting them
*causing long term ecological damage

9. Sustainable Development & Human Activities
Our activities affect the quality & supply of renewable resources
Air
Land
Forests
Fisheries
Freshwater

10. Sustainable development
Must keep in mind:
Function of the ecosystem
How human economics work
What humans need to live

11. C. Land Resources

12. Land Resources Space for human communities and cities
Raw materials for industry
Soils for farming
Soil fences like these limit soil erosion during development or building homes

13. Soils If managed properly, soils can be a renewable resource
Here is a form of erosion control
If it is not managed properly, it can be lost

14. Topsoil
Good topsoil is maintained by the interaction of plants and the soil
Deep rooted plants help retain soil in wind and rain
Good topsoil is able to retain moisture and nutrient

15. Topsoil
Plowing (tilling) removes the roots that help hold the soil in place
This increase soil erosion (desertification)
Some farmers now practice contour farming and no-tilling farming

16. Erosion Erosion can be due to Climate changes Overgrazing Drought
Farming practices

17. Desertification This process has led to severe erosion of many soils
It may be due to drought, farming practices, or both

18. D. Forest Resources
Ecology and Products

19. Forests Wood is used for homes and for paper
Wood is used as a fuel for cooking or heating
The forest is the “lungs of the Earth” - CO2 & O2
Forests also store nutrient

20. Forests * Store nutrients *Provide habitat & food *Moderate climate
*Limit soil erosion
*Protect
Freshwater
supplies

21. Forests Renewable: Nonrenewable: Temperate deciduous forests
They grow back
Nonrenewable:
Old growth forests
Many centuries to “re- grow” so in effect nonrenewable
Hartwick Pines is considered an “old growth” forest
Forests

22. Forests Deforestation - loss of forests Can lead to erosion
Grazing or plowing after deforestation can permanently damage the ecosystem

23. Forest Sustainable Development Strategies
Selective harvesting
Plant, manage, harvest, and then replant
Tree farming
Genetic breeding of plants

24. Managing fish & other organism that live in water
E. Fishery Resources
Managing fish & other organism that live in water

25. Fishery Resources Effectively managing fresh, salt water
Recent collapses in the fishery industry illustrates the “tragedy of the commons”.

26. Harvesting fish faster than they can be replaced
E-1. Overfishing
Harvesting fish faster than they can be replaced

27. Overfishing
Between the world fish catch grew from 19 to 90 million tons
Many fish populations began to decrease
Cod and haddock had dropped
Another example of the “tragedy of the commons” - no one country would take responsibility

28. Amount of Fish per Person
Growth of Fish Catch
Section 6-2
World Fish Catch
World Fish Catch per Person
(million tons)
Total Catch
Year
Year
Amount of Fish per Person
(kilograms)

29. E-2: Sustainable Development
Fishery Resources

30. Sustainable Development of Fisheries?
Ecologists collect data on fish
Size
Growth Rate
Populations
This created guidelines for the fishing industry
How many?
What size?
Where caught?

31. E-3: Aquaculture
Fish farming.

32. Aquaculture Raising of aquatic animals for human consumption
Helps sustain fish resources
Must be properly managed to prevent pollution

33. A challenge for society is to maintain air quality.
F. Air Resources
A challenge for society is to maintain air quality.

34. Air Resources Smog is a growing problem
Mixture of chemicals that creates a “haze”
Due to automobile exhaust & industrial emissions
L.A. Smog

35. Smog Threatens those with asthma & other respiratory diseases
Considered a pollutant: a harmful material in the biosphere
Pollutant: present in land, air, or water
Smog

36. Fossil Fuels Nitates Sulfates Particulates - ash, dust
Fossil fuels release pollutants into the atmosphere
Nitates
Sulfates
Particulates - ash, dust
Cause health problems

37. Control of fuel emissions
Factories (some) use technology to reduce emissions
Automobiles have emission controls (catalytic converters)
Air quality legislation

38. Fossil Fuels & Emissions
Burning fossil fuels releases nitrogen & sulfur compounds
When they combine with water vapor they produce nitric & sulfuric acid
One product is acid rain

39. Acid Rain
Acid rain can kill plants and trees by changing the water chemistry
It may dissolve or release other toxic elements (mercury)

40. Chemical Transformation Emissions to Atmosphere
Figure 6-12 The Formation of Acid Rain
Section 6-2
Chemical Transformation
Nitric acid
Sulfuric acid
Condensation
Emissions to Atmosphere
Nitrogen oxides
Sulfur dioxide
Dry Fallout
Precipitation
Acid rain, fog,
snow, and mist
particulates, gases
Industry
Transportation
Ore smelting
Power generation

41. G. Freshwater Resources
Although a renewable resource, the total supply is limited.

42. Freshwater We use billions of water daily ! Drinking Washing
Watering crops
Making steel

43. Maintaining our fresh water supply is a high priority in society
Water pollution threatens water supplies in many ways
Freshwater

44. Sources of Water Pollution
Improperly discarded chemicals
Waste discharge into ground water
Domestic sewage from sinks, toilets contain Nitrogen that affects algae

45. Water More than 3/4 of all water is consumed in agriculture
Drip irrigation is one way to conserve water

46. Water Cycle Protection of the water cycle
Reduce the loss of wetlands that purify water
Restore forests that also help purify water

47. Water The demand for water continues to grow
In what ways can you conserve water?
Water conservation
Homes
Agriculture
Industry