2. INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL RESOURCES
Introduction to Environmental and Agricultural Science

3. Our Natural Resources NATURAL RESOURCES are resources found in nature.
People cannot make more natural resources, but many can be renewed.
Natural Resources essential for living
Oxygen
Water

4. Kinds of Natural Resources
Natural Resources can be classified into Eight Groups
Wildlife
Air
Wind
Soil
Water
Minerals
Fossil Fuels
Sunlight

5. Wildlife
WILDLIFE is a plant, animal, and any other thing that lives in the wild.
It has NOT been domesticated.
Includes all species that exist in nature, including fungi, wild flowers, trees, insects, fish, snakes, etc.
DOMESTICATION is bringing plants and animals under the control of humans.
Domesticated Animals – Cattle, Horses, Pigs, Chickens, Sheep, etc.
Domesticated Plants – Rice, Corn, Potatoes, Cotton, Tomatoes, Grapes, etc.

6. Air AIR is the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth.
Important Natural Resource
All living things must have air to survive.
Oxygen is the most important component of the air.
Polluted air contains substances that may be harmful to people and other resources..

7. Wind WIND is large-scale air movement across the surface of the earth.
Weather fronts and surface features influence wind.
Wind power is harnessing wind movement.
Windmills and Turbines collect the power and use it to pump water, generate electricity, etc.
Problems – Wind direction and speed varies

8. Soil
SOIL is the outer layer of the earth’s surface that supports plant life.
Naturally occurring resource
All living things rely on soil in one way or another.
Basis for all living things
Plants need soil to grow
Animals eat plants
Remains decay and become soil again
Damaged and lost by erosion

9. Water WATER is a tasteless and colorless liquid natural resource.
All living things must have water to survive.
Only natural resource found in 3 forms
Solid (ice)
Liquid (water)
Gas (vapor)
Amount of water on the earth is constant, however its form and condition changes in the water cycle.
Flowing water can be used as a power source.

10. Minerals MINERAL is a natural inorganic substance on or in the earth.
INORGANIC SUBSTANCE does not have the structure of living things, does not contain carbon.
Examples:
Iron
Precious Metals (Copper, Gold, Silver, Nickel)
Granite, Sand, Gravel

11. Fossil Fuels FOSSIL FUELS are materials used to provide energy.
Created by the decomposition of plants and animals
Three main groups:
Petroleum (gas, oil, plastics)
Natural Gas
Coal
Problem – Major source of pollution

12. Sunlight SUNLIGHT is the light and warmth of the sun.
Light produces solar energy.
Energy is used by plants in photosynthesis.
Life on earth depends on sunlight.

13. Renewability
RENEWABILITY is whether or not a resource can be restored after it has been used.
Basis for classifying natural resources:
Renewable
Nonrenewable

14. Renewable Resources
RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES can be replaced when used.
Resource may renew itself and be used again, but renewing may take a long time
Examples
Air
Soil
Wildlife
Plants
Water

15. Nonrenewable Resources
NONREWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES can not be replaced when used.
With careful management, some can be reused.
Examples:
Minerals (Gold, Silver)
Fossil Fuels (Oil and Coal)

16. Exhaustibility
EXHAUSTIBILITY is whether or not the supply of a resource is replenished as it is used.
Some resources can be replenished; others cannot be replenished.

17. Inexhaustible Resources
INEXHAUSTIBLE NATURAL RESOURCES are resources that are continually being replenished.
Examples:
Sunlight
Air & Wind
Water

18. Exhaustible Resources
EXHAUSTIBLE NATURAL RESOURCES are resources that are available in limited quantity that can be used up.
Examples:
Minerals
Fossil Fuels
Soil (replaced so slowly)

19. Conservation CONSERVATION is using resources wisely.
Resources are not abused, wasted nor destroyed.
“Wise” is using a resource in ways that do not diminish its value and assure that supplies will be available for future generations.
SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE USE is using resources so they last a long time.

20. Preservation
PRESERVATION is maintaining a natural resource without using it up.
Resource is protected.
Set aside for future use.
People can view the resource, but cannot harvest, mine or otherwise take it.
Examples:
Wildlife Preserves and Refuges
Old Growth Forests protected from cutting