Chapter 2Sustaining What the Environment Provides

Objectives– Described how the

environment sustains life and the role of sustainable resource use

– Name and explain the basic life needs that the environment provides for living organisms

– Identify the three roles of humans in the environment

– Describe the environment as home, including ecosystems, habitats, and food webs

Terms

Conservation Ecosystem Food Food chain Food web Habitat Hypothermia Nutrient Quality of life Respiration Shelter Space Sustainable agriculture Sustainable development Sustainable resource use Sustaining life Territory

Ask Yourself

What do I need to live?How does the environment

help provide these needs?

Sustaining Life Organism require

certain things to live that provided by the environment

Conditions are no longer provided, life may not be possible

Using resources so they last a long time

A person should use no more than is needed

No resource should be wasted

Sustainable Resource Use

Is using resources so they last a long time

The resource is renewed, reused, and recycled as best as possible

Proper conservation practices are used

Sustainable Development

Is to assure the best possible future

All development is carried out for the best long-term benefits to society

Sustainable Agriculture

Involves using practices that assure the future ability to produce crop and livestock

Soil conservation practices are used to prevent loss and damage

Pesticides are used only as need and as approved

Wastes are properly disposed of and are not dumped on the land nor in streams

Area are provided for wildlife to live and grow

Having Good Quality of Life

Quality of life is having a good environment in which to live

Environment provides for the needs of people

Example,they have clean air to breathe, unpolluted water to drink, and feel safe

Life Needs

The major needs of living things are:– Food– Water– Air

– Space– Protection or

shelter

Food

Food is nourishment and is need for energy and growth

Organisms obtain nutrients from food substances

Common nutrients are proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, and vitamins

Damage to environment can result in food that is contaminated with dangerous materials

Water

All living things required water to survive

Most nutrients dissolve in water to diffuse into the cells

If people do not get sufficient water, they become dehydrated

Dehydration is the removal of water from cells and organs

People get sick and required fluids back into system

Air

Air is a mixture of gases that includes oxygen

Aerobic means to live where free oxygen is available

Anaerobic means to live where is not free oxygen

Human live in an environment with about 21 percent oxygen in the air

Space

Space is the area around an organism that it uses for living

Space includes air, area for activity, food sources, and places for shelter and protection

Territory is the area an animal uses and protects as its own

Shelter and Protection

Organisms sometimes need protection from the environment

Humans use clothing and housing to protect themselves from the weather

Greenhouse are used to provide a controlled environment for growing plants

Roles of Humans

Humans have three roles:

Humans are resource users

Humans can make decisions about resource use

Humans can prevent waste

The Environment as Home

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is all of the parts of a particular environment

It is a community of living organisms and nonliving materials

Ecosystems can be large or small

Ecosystems are continually changing

Habitat

Habitat is the physical area where an organism naturally lives

It is the proper arrangement of four essential elements: food, water, shelter, and space

Energy Transfer

Organisms must have energy to move about and carry out life functions

All of the energy in an ecosystem originates with the sun

Plants use sunlight and the process of photosynthesis to make food

Food Chain

Energy is transferred from one organism to another in the food chain

Food Web

A food web is all the interconnected food chains of an ecosystem

A plant may be eaten by more than one animal

The animals may be the prey of other animals

Finally, plants and animals die and their remains decay and are returned as nutrients to the soil

Tests

How is quality of life affected when resources are damaged?

What are the major life needs of living organisms?

Why are these important? What are the roles of humans in relating to

the quality of the environment? What relationships exist among ecosystems,

habitats, and food chains?