E&NR I 12.0-13.0

12.0 Vocabulary

• Environment – all the factors and surroundings that affect a living organism.

• Landscape – a section of natural land, such as a prairie, wetland, woodland, mountain, or tundra.

• Sustaining life – the process of meeting the needs of living things. Includes food, water and shelter, also called sustenance.

• Habitat – the physical area where a plant or animal lives under natural conditions.

• Natural Resource Conservation – the wise use of natural resources.

• Fertilizer – a chemical compound used to provide additional nutrients for plant growth.

• Symbiotic relationship – different species of organisms live together and benefit each other.

• Natural resource – a naturally occurring material or organism that supports life, provides fuel, or is used in other ways by humans.

Types of Natural Resources

Types of Natural Resources

• Wildlife – all the plants, animals and other living things that have not been domesticated. Domestication is the act of taming or controlling wild plant and animal species and producing them for human benefit..

• Air – the mixture of gases that surround the earth.

• Soil – the outer layer of the earth’s surface that supports life.

Types of Natural Resources

• Water – colorless, transparent, naturally occurring compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.

• Mineral – an inorganic substance needed for maintenance, growth, reproduction and other body functions.

• Fossil fuels – any energy-producing material created by the decomposition of dead plants and animals.

Our Environment

Our Environment

• Environmental changesa. Occur naturally or are caused by humans.b. Earth’s landscape – a section of natural land,

such as woodland or wetland.• Complex environment

a. Environment is complex.b. Changes made to natural resources are called development, which is defined as the process

of using resources to construct towns and cities and meet other needs for economic prosperity.

Our Natural Resources

Our Natural Resources

• Natural Resource – naturally occurring material or organism that supports life, provides fuel, or is used in other ways by humans. The kinds of natural resources are:

1. Wildlife2. Air3. Soil4. Water5. Minerals6. Fossil fuels

Our Natural Resources

• Natural Resource Interaction – the action of natural resources on one another.

Our Natural Resources

• Renewable and Non Renewable Natural Resourcesa. Renewal natural resource – one that can be replaced after it is used. Examples

include air, soil, wildlife, plants and water.

b. Non-renewable natural resource – a resource that cannot be replaced when it is used up.Examples include most minerals.

Our Natural Resources

Using Resourcesa. Humans need resources to live.b. We depend on renewable resources for most sustenance.c. We also use many non-renewable resources.d. The concern is that humans use resources faster than they can be

renewed.

Our Natural ResourcesNatural Resource Interdependence

a. Means that all natural resources depend on one another.

b. Humans use animals; animals use natural resources etc.

c. Plants provide for needs, animals and plants inter-depend

(see Figure 1-19, p. 15, EST)

EN13.00 Discuss the relationship between natural resources management

and humans.

Sustainable Living

• Sustaining life – process of meeting the needs of living things – food, water & shelter

• Sustainable Resource Use- use of resources so they last a long time

• Sustainable Development – use of development practices that benefit people without damaging the environment

Sustainable Living• Sustainable Agriculture- use of agricultural

practices that assure the future production of crops and livestock

• Conservation – wise use of natural resources

• Quality of life – degree of satisfaction people derive from their environment

“Dfe” Design for the Environment

• Concept of including environmental considerations in manufacturing & construction. Both design and redesign of products and systems are included.– Product design- possible environmental impact

• Green houses

– Materials – use environmentally friendly materials– Purchases- buy materials either recycled or

recyclable, and produced with minimum environmental impact

“Dfe” Design for the Environment

Business leaders are encouraged to consider the environment when making decisions about:– Product design- possible environmental impact• Green houses

– Materials – use environmentally friendly materials– Purchases- buy materials either recycled or

recyclable, and produced with minimum environmental impact

Life Needs• Food-

– Material consumed & needed to carry out life processes– Nutrient is a substance needed for an organism to live and grow.

Examples are: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins.• Water-

– essential for all life’s processes– Humans need about 2 quarts per day.

• Air- animals need oxygen & plants need carbon dioxide• respiration is the process an organism uses to provide its

cell with oxygen so energy can be released from digested foods• plants provide oxygen for animals, and animals provide

carbon dioxide for ;plants, thus the relationship is interdependent

Life Needs• Air-– All living things need some part of air to survive..

Animals need oxygen & plants need carbon dioxide

– respiration is the process an organism uses to provide its cell with oxygen so energy can be released from digested foods

– plants provide oxygen for animals, and animals provide carbon dioxide for ;plants, thus the relationship is interdependent

Life Needs

• Space – – All living organisms need and occupy space.– the area around an organism that is used for living – Territory is the area an animal used and protects as

its own• Shelter & protection- – organisms need protection from certain elements in

the environment that can injure and destroy them– Animals adapt, some hibernate and some migrate– Plants generally only grow in an environment that is

suited to them

Roles of Humans

3 major roles in maintaining the quality of the environment

1. Users- humans us the resource to support life functions

2. Decision-makers – humans decide which resources are used, & how they are used

3. Conservationists- humans can prevent waste& should not be abuser of the environment

The Environment as Home

• Every living organism requires an environment that sustains life.

• Ecosystem – a natural environment has many ecosystems, which are all the components of a particular environment.

• Habitata. The physical area where a plant or animal lives under natural conditions.b. It is the proper arrangement of four essential

elements: food, water, shelter and space.

The Environment as Home

• Energy Transfera. Ecosystems need energy to exist. Energy is the

ability to be active and do work.b. An ecosystem has a complex process for

transferring energy that originates from the sun to organisms, specifically from one organism to another.

c. Food Chain is the ranking of species into successive levels where each feeds on the one

below.d. Food Web is all the interconnected food chains of an

ecosystem.(EST, p.31, Figure 2-16)

Conservation vs. Preservation

• Conservation- wise us of a natural resource, preventing unnecessary damage or loss– A conservationist is a person who feels that natural

resources should be used in ways that assure their continuing availability on a long-term basis

• Preservation- nonuse of a natural resource– Preservationist is a person who believes a preservation

or protection of resources– Some believe that trees should not be harvested for

human use, but be used solely for their beauty & environmental benefits

Conservation vs. Preservation

• Controversya. Differing views of conservationists &

preservationists can cause controversyB. An environmental issue is a concern about

the environment that may be viewed from different perspectives

• Environmental apathy is when people are not interested in the environment– It is found in people who are removed, or not involved,

in an issue

Human Effects on the Environment

Introductiona. Humans can have both positive and

negative effects on the environment.b. Often positive effects are learned from

past negative effects.Symbiotic Relationships.

a. This is when different species of organisms live together and benefit each other.

b. The effect of humans on the environment is a much-debated issue.

• Use is Important for Survival– Conservationists know resources must be used for our

survival & wise use is important– One recognized problem is that many humans give little

thought to the resources they use each day, including where the resource came from & where it ends up

Planning aheadHumans must plan to preserve and protect our resources.

Human Impacta. Humans affect all natural resources.b. Often, we only consider the aesthetic benefits which is

the feeling of well-being receivedfrom something of beauty in our environment.

c. Plants not only have aesthetic value, but keep hot areas cooler and provide shelter from winds

as well.

Chemicals are not always bad

A. Chemicals are often thought of as being bad for humans, but there are many good uses.b. One good chemical is fertilizer which is a chemical compound used to provide nutrients for plant growth.c. Many problems with chemicals come from overuse or

misuse.d. One chemical that caused environmental problems is

the insecticide DDT. The major problem with it was that it did not break down and, therefore; it

accumulated in the food chains and foods webs.

4. Maintaining Habitatsa. The major affect humans have had on the environment has

been habitat destruction.b. The resource most affected has been wildlife.c. Some species are able to adapt to changes in their habitat.

An example is a house wren building its nest in the corner of a house.

5. Abuse of Resources.a. When resources are abused, they obviously are depleted.b. An example of this problem is in the settling of the United States. Resources were viewed as unlimited. They

were abused or overused and problems resulted.c. The Dust Bowl is a specific example of land abuse. Crops could not grow and the – unprotected soil was eroded by the wind. (Picture, 3-15, pg. 43, EST).

6. Conservation Measuresa. Many conservation measures have been

put in place.b. These measures must be proven not

only for conservation of the resource, but for economic and productive purposes as well. An example is a flow restrictor on a showerhead, which saves money as well as conserves water.

Developing Personal Beliefs About the Environment

1. How one feels about the environment is influenced by:a. Age.b. Gender.c. Culture.d. Education.e. Other factors.2. Studying the environment and resource use helps people to make intelligent choices.3. The media often publicizes environmental issues. These issues can often be made moreconfusing because there may be no clear-cut information presented to make an informed decision.4. The rain forest is an example of an environmental issue often misrepresented by the media.5. Compromising is often needed and achieved by conservationists and preservationists, often whenall sides consider the economic value of the issue.6. The best way to develop good personal beliefs about the environment and naturalresources is to be properly and thoroughly informed from various sources.

Human Population Growth

• More people are being born, living longer through better health care, & wanting more things. Biggest concern is this results in an increase in the demand for life’s necessities

• In 2003 the population was about 6.2 billion people

• U.S. 284 million people– Southern & Western states are growing faster– N.C. 2000 population is 8,050,000 (11th in nation)

Human Population Growth

• Demography is the science of human population– Info collected includes age, gender, income, race,

& education

• Birth rate is the average number of births per 1000 people per year

• Death rate or mortality rate is the average number of deaths per 1000 people per year– As death rate has declined, life expectancy has

increased• Zero population growth is the result of the

birth rate being equal to the death rate

Human Population Demand

• Demands on natural resources– use of renewable natural resources• Plants& animals used as sources of food, clothing &

shelter require these resources• Water, soil, air, wildlife & forests are renewable natural

resources