Download Our Natural Resources, Then and now

Our Natural
Resources, Then and
Now
Modified by Georgia Agricultural
Education Curriculum Office
June, 2002
What is a natural
resource?
• Any form of energy which can be
used by humans.
• Those things that people come in
contact with that may be used to
perform any useful function.
• Objects, materials, creatures, or
energy found in nature that can be
put to use by humans.
Usefulness Changes
• A. Things that affect our
definition of usefulness.
–1. Religion- Hindu- cattle
–2. Custom- Dogs as food source.
–3. Technology and Science
Soil Resources
• A. Land area
–1. U.S. 3,675,545 square miles
or 2.26 billion acres
–2. Surface ranges from 282 feet
below sea level in Death Valley
to 20,320 feet above sea level on
Mt. McKinley
Soil
Resources
–3. Topsoil- uppermost layer of soil from
which we get almost all of our food and
natural fibers.
–4. Today, almost 1/3 of our land area is
not suited for farming; 8% covered by
cities, factories, homes and highways;
60% is suited for food and fiber
production of that only 17% can be
used to grow crops.
Soil Resources
• B. Erosion
–1. Since colonial times we have
lost 1/3 of our topsoil to
erosion.
–2. Only 1/4 of our cropland is
undamaged by erosion.
Soil Resources
• B. Erosion
–1. Since colonial times we have
lost 1/3 of our topsoil to
erosion.
–2. Only 1/4 of our cropland is
undamaged by erosion.
Soil Resources
• C. Urban expansion
–1. Land is converted to business or
home usage.
–2. Compaction results from concrete or
other paving materials.
–3. We must establish priorities for land
use to balance food an d fiber
production and industrial uses of our
land.
Water Resources
• A. Useable Water
–1. Earth is 70% water, how much
is useable?
–2. As a power source water was
used to carry logs, float boats,
turn water wheels
Water Resources
–3. Everyday we use 300 billion
gallons of water
• a. 60 billion depleted
• b. 240 billion return to the
hydrologic cycle
• c. Much is damaged by heat
and pollutants
Water Resources
• B. Controlling excess runoff
–1. 37 states have average
annual runoff of more than 10
inches
• 2. Much of the rain that falls,
runs directly into the sea
Water Resources
• C. Major water problems
–1. Control
–2. Quality
–3. Distribution
Fish and Wildlife
Resources
• A. Non-domesticated animals,
either game or nongame.
–1. Considered renewal - only
true while the species is alive
and reproducing.
Fish and Wildlife
Resources
•A. Since colonial times, 48
vertebrate species have
become extinct in our
nation.
•B. 130 regarded rare and
endangered by 1970
Fish and Wildlife
Resources
• 2. Assets
–A. pleasure derived from wildlife
–B. meat
–C. insect destroying ability, valued at
over one billion dollars per year.
–D. hunting and fishing brings in more
than one billion dollars each year.
Fish and Wildlife
Resources
• 3. Wildlife conservation programs
–A. programs directed especially for
hunters and fishermen.
–B. satisfying the demands of the
non-hunting and non-fishing public
through the use of parks and game
preserves.
Forest Resources
• A. Acres of forest land
–1. In 1607 half our land was
forested, over 1 billion acres.
• Almost 70% is still forest
–1/3 of today’s forest land is
noncommercial
Forest Resources
• B. Production
–1. Since colonial times U.S.
forests have produced about
2,700 billion board feet of
timber.
–2. Each year our forests grow
more wood than we harvest.
Forest Resources
• C. Mature Forests
–1. Canopy is dominated by
mature, slow-growing trees
• a. produces very little wood
Other Resources
• A. Energy Sources
–1. Most energy comes directly or
indirectly from the sun
–2. Wind- used to move our
goods and pull water form the
earth.
• A. Windmills
• Sailing Ships
Other Resources
• 3.Coal
–A. Most widely distributed
storehouse of the sun’s energy.
–B. First discovered in America in
1673 in Illinois.
Coal
–C. 35 billion tons have been
produced in the US since mining
began.
–D. Estimate reserves of 2.5
trillion ton of US coal, but is a
one time resource.
Other Resources
• 4. Oil
–A. In late 1950’s projected that
oil reserves would last 14 years.
–B. Today we use more oil but
have greater store of known oilis a one time resource.
Oil
• 5. Natural Gas
–A. Clean, efficient
–B. Proven reserves 260 trillion
cubic feet.
Other Resources
• B. Minerals
–1. Most widely used are the
metals
• a. Fe, Cu, Al, Mg, Pb, Zn, Sn,
(Iron, Copper, Aluminum,
Magnesium, Lead, and Tin)
Other Resources
• C. Recreational Resources
–1. Forests, lakes, beaches,
mountains, parks, game animals
and fish