INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION STUDIES 12. 00 Summarize information related to environmental science, natural resources and conservation studies.

12. 01 Define terms related to Environmental Science, Natural Resources and Conservation Studies.

Important Terms

Environment all the factors and surrounding that affect a living organism

Landscape a section of natural land, such as a prairie, wetland, woodland, mountain, or tundra

Sustaining Life the process of meeting the needs of living things Includes food, water and shelter, also called sustenance.

Habitat the physical area where a plant or animal lives under natural conditions

Natural Resource Conservation the wise use of natural resources

Fertilizer a chemical compound used to provide additional nutrients for plant growth

Symbiotic Relationship different species of organisms live together and benefit each other

Natural Resource a naturally occurring material or organism that supports life, provides fuel, or is used in other ways by humans

Types of Natural Resources

Wildlife all the plants, animals and other living things that have not been domesticated Domestication is the act of taming or controlling wild plant and animal species and producing them for human benefit

Air the mixture of gases that surround the earth

Soil the outer layer of the earth’s surface that supports life

Water colorless, transparent, naturally occurring compound made of hydrogen and oxygen

Mineral an inorganic substance needed for maintenance, growth, reproduction and other body functions

Fossil Fuels any energy-producing material created by the decomposition of dead plants and animals

12. 02 Describe the interaction and interdependence of the environment and natural resources.

Our Environment – all the factors and surroundings that affect a living organism

Environmental changes Our Environment Occur naturally or are caused by humans. Earth’s landscape – a section of natural land, such as woodland or wetland.

Complex environment Our Environment is complex. Changes made to natural resources are called development, which is defined as the process of using resources to construct towns and cities and meet other needs for economic prosperity.

Our Natural Resources Natural Resource – naturally occurring material or organism that supports life, provides fuel, or is used in other ways by humans. There are several kinds of natural resources: Wildlife Air Soil Water Mineral Fossil Fuels

Our Natural Resources Natural Resource Interaction – the action of natural resources on one another

Renewal natural resource – one that can be replaced after it is used. Our Natural Resources Examples include air, soil, wildlife, plants and water. Non-renewable natural resource – a resource that cannot be replaced when it is used up. Examples include most minerals.

Using Resources Our Natural Resources Humans need resources to live. We depend on renewable resources for most sustenance. We also use many nonrenewable resources. The concern is that humans use resources faster than they can be renewed.

Our Natural Resources Natural Resource Interdependence All natural resources depend on one another. Humans use animals; animals use natural resources etc. Animals and plants interdepend on each other.