Natural Resources Occur naturally Found in our
environment Environment = the
conditions that surround us
Natural Resources NOT made by man, but man can
help ensure their continued existence
Some are essential others are used to make life easier
Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Resources Renewable
Can be replaced after use Soil, plants, and water
Nonrenewable Cannot be replaced after use Minerals and fossils fuels
Inexhaustible vs. Exhaustible Resources
Inexhaustible continuously replenished, the supply of the
resource will not run out Sunlight, wind, and water
Exhaustible Available in limited quantity and can be completely
used Can be replaceable or irreplaceable
Replaceable = can be replenished (wildlife) Irreplaceable = gone once it is used (fossil fuels and most
minerals)
Interdependent Relationships All natural
resources depend on each other This means that
all living things depend on each other.
Interdependent Relationships Humans need animals for food,
clothing, and at one time for work. Humans and animals need plants
to live. Used for food Produce oxygen needed to breathe
Interdependent Relationships Plants depend on animals and
humans. Animals, including humans, give off
carbon dioxide that the plants need to live.
Interdependent Relationships When animals die, they
decompose. The decomposition process
releases minerals back into the soil.
Plants can use these minerals for growth.
Air and Wind The atmosphere is the area
surrounding the Earth. Air is the mixture of gases that
surrounds the Earth. Wind is the movement of the air. Water vapor, gases, and
particulate can be found in the atmosphere.
Air and Wind The conditions found in the
atmosphere are what causes weather. Weather is the condition of the
atmosphere, including moisture, temperature, movement, and pressure.
Air and Wind The climate of an area helps
determine which natural resources can survive in the area. Climate is the condition of the
weather in a particular location.
Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels are natural resources
used to provide energy. Fossil fuels took millions of years to
make. They are the remains of decomposed
plants and animals. Their energy comes from the energy
produced by the plants and animals.
Minerals Natural inorganic substances on or in
the earth. Are not living things. Mined from the earth and are used to
produce everything from iron to brick. Jewelry, coins, monuments, and
concrete are also made from minerals.
People Help determine how other natural
resources are used. As the population increases,
natural resource use will increase. The wise use of resources is
necessary to ensure their future availability.
Soil Outer layer of the earth’s surface that
supports life. Plants grow in soil, humans and other
animals eat plants, humans and animals produce waste that provides nutrients for plants to grow, and the cycle continues.
However, soil can be easily eroded by misuse.
Soil must be protected in order for it to continue to be a resource.
Sunlight The source of almost all the energy
used on the Earth. The light from the sun produces solar
energy. Plants use this energy in the process of
photosynthesis. People can also use this energy if it is
harnessed using solar collectors.
Water A tasteless, colorless, liquid natural
resource. All living things need water to survive.
Water is a naturally occurring compound made up of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
Water can be found in three forms, solid, liquid, and gas.
Water Cycle Movement of water
from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back to the surface.
Water is continuously renewed through the hydrologic cycle.
Wildlife All of the plants and animals that
live in the wild. These plants and animals have
not been domesticated. Domestication is the control of
plants and animals by man.
Food Web Activity Pick a community within an
ecosystem Draw a food web showing the
relationships within the community Should have at least three food
chains Be sure to draw the environment in
detail besides the organisms
Food Web Activity Label each of the following in your
food web Abiotic and biotic parts The dominant species Aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem Where competition and predation
takes place Herbivores, carnivores, omnivores
Adaptation Organism’s ability to tolerate
change in its environment Necessary for survival Occurs because the species goes
through change over time Examples:
Succession Replacement of one community
by another Occurs naturally over time Can be altered by humans Examples:
Selection Survival of organisms that are
best adapted to their environment Many changes occur through
genetics Examples:
Homeostasis Process in which organisms maintain
a constant internal environment when the external environment changes Homeotherms (warm-blooded or
endotherms) - can maintain a constant body temperature
Poikilotherms (cold-blooded or ectothermic) – cannot maintain a constant body temperature
Biome Area made up of a distinct
combination of plants and animals Made up of the groups of
ecosystems found on earth terrestrial or aquatic Examples:
RAFT Role
Pick one: tree, soil, water, or air Audience
Local residence or local politicians Format
Letter Topic
Inform them of the your importance and what is happening to you
Persuade them to help you survive because you are important to them
Things to include What biome and ecosystem are you a
part of? What is your importance?
Remember food webs, your relationship with other natural resources (interdependence), and how are humans dependent on you
How are you in danger? What can be done to help?
Week 9/7 What do you already know about
your topic?
What are some things you would like to find out about your topic?
Could all your aunts, uncles and cousins live with you?
Write down the number of people in your immediate family. Count the number of aunts, uncles, cousins,
and grandparents you have. Add this to the number of people in your
immediate family. What would happen if you all had to live in
one house? Consider the amount of room that many
people would take up and how much food and water they’d need.
Human use of Natural Resources Meet their three basic needs
Food Clothing Shelter
Can be consumptive use and non-consumptive use
Consumptive Use Using a natural resource so that the
amount used no longer exists. Each time that resource is used, its
supply is reduced. Example = hunting
Once that animal is killed and removed from the wild, it no longer exists.
Non-consumptive Use Using a natural resource without
reducing its supply An example of non-consumptive use
is watching wildlife
Human Population Trends Population = number of
people in a given area Current world
population = 6.86 billion Predicted to double in
the next 50 years Current US population
= 310 million
Land-use Planning Deciding how land will be used Includes guidelines on how to use the land
for agricultural, commercial, and residential areas Urban areas rely on rural areas to provide
them with quality water, a consistent food supply, and materials to build their homes.
Rural areas depend on urban areas to do their best to keep the environment clean and healthy.