Natural Resources
What is the difference between a renewable and a nonrenewable resource?
A renewable resource is a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate that it is used and a nonrenewable resource is a natural resource that is being used up faster than it can replaced.
What is land degradation?
The point that human activity and natural processes damage land to the point that it can no longer support local ecosystems.
What is water pollution?
Water pollution is when waste or other materials is out into water which threatens the organisms that live in or use it.
Why is the atmosphere important?
It gives organisms air to breathe
It absorbs harmful radiation (keeps the bad gases out of Earth’s atmosphere)
It keeps Earth warm (it keeps the good gases in Earth’s atmosphere)
Greenhouse effect
What is conservation? Give an example.
The wise use of natural resources
What is a material resource? Give an example.
A material resource is a natural resource that is used to make or build things. They are also used to create foods or drinks.
Examples: wood, animals, plants
What are three different types of land use? Give an example of each.
Recreational, Residential, Industrial, Transport, Agricultural
What are two ways that water quality is threatened? Explain what is happening and where this pollution comes from.
Chemical Pollution, Thermal Pollution, Biological Pollution, and Eutrophication
What causes acid precipitation?
Gas pollutants
What is stewardship? Give an example.
Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of a resource
What is an energy resource? Give an example.
An energy resource is a natural resource that humans use to generate energy.
Example: wood, water, sun
What is the difference between desertification and deforestation?
Desertification is the process where land becomes more desert-like and and unable to support life, while deforestation is when trees and other vegetation are removed from an area.
What is pH?
A measure of how much acid is in the water
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Galena, Illinois, has a population of over 4,000 people. What type of area is Galena?
What is 2: rural/agricultural?
What are three ways that we can improve water quality and usage?
What is an inexhaustible resource? Give an example.
An inexhaustible resource is a natural resource that can never be used up.
Example: sun, wind, etc.
How are two ways that humans affect land and soil? Explain what each one means.
Urban Sprawl, Land Pollution and Nutrient Depletion, Desertification, Deforestation
What is eutrophication? And why is it bad for water quality?
Eutrophication is the increase in the nutrients in water
What is the greenhouse effect?
When certain gases (carbon dioxide and water vapor) absorb and reradiate heat.
How can we preserve land resources? Give three examples and give examples.
Preservation, Reforestation, Reclamation, Reducing Urban Sprawl, Recycling, Soil Conservation
What is the difference between renewable, nonrenewable, and inexhaustible resources?
A renewable resource is a natural resource that can be replaced at the same rate that it is used and a nonrenewable resource is a natural resource that is being used up faster than it can replaced.An inexhaustible resource is a natural resource that can never be used up.
What is erosion and why is it bad for the environment if it happens a lot?
When water, air, or other natural processes carry soil from one place to another. This can make healthy soil, dry and lose nutrients.
Point source pollution can be traced back to one specific cause. Nonpoint source pollution comes from many small sources.
What are two (for each) human and natural sources of air pollution?
Human- car exhaust, dry cleaners, factories
Natural- wildfires, dust storms, volcanic eruptions
How can we reduce air pollution? Give examples with your answer.
Energy Conservation, Technology, and Laws