Grade 11 Resources And Sustainability (T4) Flashcards
What is a resource?
A commodity or feature of the environment that people use to meet their needs.
What has led to a depletion of our natural resources (in the last 250 years)?
(3)
An increase in population
Each person uses more manufactured goods
Modern transport uses a lot of fuel
What are 4 types of resources?
Natural resources
Human resources (more skilled person is a more valuable)
Manufactured resources (e.g. roads, cars, buildings)
Financial resources
What is the relationship between resources and economic development?
Cities and towns developed where resources were available. Once established, they continued to grow (even once local resources ran out)
What is causing demand to increase rapidly?
2
Population increase and urbanisation
What is a renewable resource?
A resource that is continually replaced.
Why are non-renewable resources not continually replaced?
2
Either because they form very slowly or because they form under conditions that are unlike those present on earth today.
What are the 4 different ways that people relate to their natural resources?
Exploitation
Depletion
Conservation
Preservation
Exploitation
To make use of something. This can eventually cause a species to be depleted.
Depletion
Reduce the number of a species by over-exploiting or degrading the environment
ππππΏ
Conservation
To protect a species or habitat for future use (e.g. by replanting trees)
Preservation
To keep in its present condition. Areas of the earth that are still untouched by humans. π
What is sustainability?
A process of change whereby exploitation of resources meets the current need of humans without endangering future needs.
What are the two main factors contributing to non-sustainability?
Increase in population (worse in LEDCβs)
Increase in stress on natural resources caused by climate change
What can developed countries do to promote sustainability?
Bring their wants closer in line with their needs
How can disadvantaged people with few natural resources meet their needs sustainably?
(3)
- Develop technology that can be used and afforded by the locals and which can be recycled (e.g. inexpensive solar-operated cooking devices)
- Using natural resources without damaging the environment (e.g. growing wood that lasts longer when burnt, using solar power)
- Educating rural people to improve productivity on farms in an affordable way (e.g. to use improved seed, to use manure to make compost to improve fertility of fields)
Life straws and wind power are 2 more examples of improving sustainability and quality of life in rural areas
Probably wonβt need to knowπ
Give 4 examples of environmental damage causes by development
Ozone depletion Climate change Increased environmental despoliation Factories built on natural habitat Air pollution
Give 3 examples of how development can positively impact the environment
Environmental resources are efficiently used for development in a sustainable way
Raw materials from the environment are processed to uplift the local community and improve quality of life
Infrastructure improved for all (e.g. the building of dams)
Give 4 possible solutions to negative environmental impact
Companies forced to take responsibility for their actions (e.g. building of dams)
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAβs) made compulsory
Smoke stack filters and taller smoke stacks builts
Smoke scrubbers (filter)
Afforestation
Reforestation
What do you call conservation areas that are linked to allow game to roam freely?
Wild life corridors
What is soil erosion?
The loss of soil from the groundβs surface by wind or water.
When does soil erosion usually start?
When thereβs not enough vegetation to protect the soil from being washed or blown away.
What are the 3 agents that start soil degradation?
- Natural physical processes
- Animals
- Humans
What are the 4 human agents of erosion?
Deforestation
Ploughing downslope
Over-cropping
Overgrazing
Deforestation
Clearing of forests to provide timber for export, farmlands or buildings.
How can unprotected soil be eroded by heavy rain?
2
Rain splash loosens soil particles.
Run-off carries soil away.
Why would ploughing downslope result in more soil erosion?
This leads to furrows where rain can run off fast and carry soil away.
What is over-cropping?π
When farmers plant the same crop every year without replenishing the humus. The soil gets sandy and can then be blown away by wind.
What is over-grazing?π
Animals remove vegetation and cause compaction. Then the soil is easily eroded.
What can overgrazing cause?
Arid and semi-arid conditions
Name and explain 4 ways in which humans can have a positive impact on soil formation.
Mineral content: fertilizer can be added to increase its ability to produce crops.
Irrigating: water added to soil to support biota which helps humus to form. It also speeds up weathering of the bedrock and soil formation.
Drainage schemes: allows oxygen into the soil and decreases acidity
Windbreaks and strip cropping: reduces soil loss
Increase biota: land left fallow and new plants and animals introduced.
Time: soil left alone (new material can be added to soil to speed up soil rejuvenation)
What are biota?
Organisms living in soil.
What is rain splash?
Rain drops hitting soil and loosening soil particles