Natural Resources

1. Natural Resources Natural Resource – Any material in nature that people use and value such as: air, water, soils, forests, and minerals. Renewable Resources - Resources that the Earth can replace naturally such as: trees, water, soil, plants and animals. Nonrenewable Resources – Resources that cannot be replaced by natural or human means such as: coal, oil, natural gas, minerals, etc.

2. Earth’s Valuable Resources Managing the Earth’s resources is an important task for all living things. Deforestation – The clearing of all trees in a given area/region. Reforestation – The planting of new trees to replace lost forestland. Fossil Fuels – Nonrenewable resources that formed from the remains of ancient plants/animals (ex: coal, petroleum, and natural gas). Minerals – Resources from metals, salt, rocks, and gemstones such as: gold, silver, diamonds, salt, iron, granite, etc. (N.R.)

3. Energy Sources Fossil Fuels are a major energy source for many things that we rely on in life. Hydroelectric Power – The production of electricity from water power. Nuclear Power – Energy produced from the splitting of atoms at a nuclear plant; wastes are dangerous for thousands of years.

4. Lesson Visuals Page 69 – Reforestation. Page 70 – World Energy Production. Page 71 – Bauxite Mining. Page 72 – Petroleum Products.