Resource management Flashcards
Biotic factors
Living organisms found in an area
Abiotic factors
The physical, non living environment such as water and oxygen
Renewable energy
Energy that comes from sources that can be reused or replenished, and so will not run out
Non renewable energy
Energy sources that, once they have been used, can never be used again
How is water exploited?
- Fresh water is an essential resource that is needed for people to survive
- As the number of people increase, the need for water will increase
- Water is used for many things including drinking, washing and producing manufactured goods.
- In many countries it is not these uses that expolit water but the misuse of water sources, for example the extraction of minerals
How is food exploited?
- Farming: with increased population numbers in many countries, farming land is being overgrazed. Over past 40yrs forests have been cleared to make way for cattle ranching (in Amazon).
- Fishing: overfishing in many area due to demand being so great that the fish stocks cannot replenish themselves
How is environment exploited for energy?
- Extraction of fossil fuels to produce energy can cause a number of problems
- Fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil have been exploited for the energy they provide
- The reserves of natural gas and oil have been dramatically reduced because of this exploitation, although there are still large reserves of coal
Changes due to exploitation of water
- In many countries groundwater is being used faster than it can be replenished by rain. This causes problems for plants and animals, and could cause a decrease in biodiversity n some areas.
- When minerals are extracted, toxic by-products
Changes due to exploitation for food?
- If land is overgrazed, the bare soil is left exposed to the weather. The rain and wind can cause the soil to be eroded and either washed away or blown away.
- After deforestation, the land is only fertile for a few years, it is then left to be eroded by the heavy rain tha fals every day.
- Overfishing has led to a reduction in biodiversity in the oceans. As the ocean is a balanced ecosystem, if some fish species are reduced it has a impact on the whole ecosystem.
Changes due to exploitation for energy?
- The extraction and production of energy from fossil fuels can cause a reduction in air quality because of the gases that it produces, such as sulphur dioxide,carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
- Burning of coal to produce energy in UK has caused acid rain. Trees in forests have died, resulting in a reduction in biodiversity
Global variety and distribution of soil and agriculture
Type of soil relates to the climate and vegetation of the area
Global variety and distribution of forestry
Forestry on a global scale is concentrated in certain areas
Global variety and distribution of fossil fuels
- The countries that have the most oil reserves are Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Canada.
- The countries with the highest gas reserves are Russia, Iran and Qatar
- USA has highest reserves of coal left in the world, though Russia and China also have vast reserves
Global variety and distribution of rocks and minerals
- Most common rock type on surface of earth is sedimentary rock. This layer is very thin and only goes about 2 km into crust; below this level most are igneous and metamorphic.
- Minerals are distributed around the world. Diamonds are found in Sub Saharan Africa, Russia and Australia
UK variety and distribution of soil and agriculture
- UK has varied soils, many of which are fertile
- Many different kinds of arable and pastoral farming are practised
- Somme farmers have began to grow vines and british wine is now being produced in Kent, Cornwall and Devon
- Some farmers in cornwall have even begun to grow and make british tea
UK variety and distribution of forestry
- Woodlands are distributed across UK
- UK has a forestry industry which employs 800,000
- Forestry is concentrated more in the north and west of the country where land and climate is less agreeable and therefore more difficult to farm