Our Natural Resources, Then and Now

1. Our Natural Resources, Then and Now Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office June, 2002

2. 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.

3. Usefulness Changes • A. Things that affect our definition of usefulness. • 1. Religion- Hindu- cattle • 2. Custom- Dogs as food source. • 3. Technology and Science

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Water Resources • C. Major water problems • 1. Control • 2. Quality • 3. Distribution

12. Fish and Wildlife Resources • A. Non-domesticated animals, either game or nongame. • 1. Considered renewal - only true while the species is alive and reproducing.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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.

18. Forest Resources • C. Mature Forests • 1. Canopy is dominated by mature, slow-growing trees • a. produces very little wood

19. 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

20. Other Resources • 3.Coal • A. Most widely distributed storehouse of the sun’s energy. • B. First discovered in America in 1673 in Illinois.

21. 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.

22. 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 oil- is a one time resource.

23. Oil • 5. Natural Gas • A. Clean, efficient • B. Proven reserves 260 trillion cubic feet.

24. 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)

25. Other Resources • C. Recreational Resources • 1. Forests, lakes, beaches, mountains, parks, game animals and fish