Topic 6 - Resource Management Flashcards
Define an Abiotic Resource and give 5 examples of abiotic resources.
An Abiotic Resource is obtained from the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere.
Examples include minerals, soil, sunlight, precipitation and fresh water.
Define Biotic Resources and give 4 examples of Biotic Resources
A Biotic Resource is obtained from the biosphere (living things) and are capable of reproduction.
Examples of Biotic resources are animals, birds, plants and fungi.
Define Non-renewable resources and give 4 examples of Non-renewable resources.
Non-renewable resources are those that cannot be ‘remade’ and are finite because it would take millions of years for them to form.
Examples of non-renewable resources include coal, oil, uranium and natural gas.
Define Renewable resources and give 3 examples of them.
Renewable resources are those that are potentially inexhaustible and can be naturally replenished in a much shorter timescale.
Examples of Renewable resources include wind, solar and hydro-electric power.
Give 3 named examples in which countries are exploiting environments in order to gain resources.
Deforestation in Cameroon, Oil extraction in Ecuador and Overfishing in the North Sea.
Explain the problem of Deforestation in Cameroon using statistics.
Around 1% of Cameroon’s rainforest is cut down per year for timber and farming including palm oil plantations. This affects biodiversity, soil and water supplies.
Give 1 environmental, social and economic impact of deforestation in Cameroon.
Environmental Impact= It damages or destroys the homes of 8000 plant species and 250 mammal species.
Social Impact= It can result in the pollution of water supplies and have an impact on fishing.
Economic impact= Soil erosion can cost developing countries billions of dollars a year through the loss of valuable soil.
Explain the problem of Oil extraction in Ecuador
During the 1960s oil was discovered in Oriente region and subsequently 350 oil wells were built. This led to 1000 open pits being filled with toxic sludge and rivers that tribes and animals rely on are being polluted.
Give 1 environmental, social and economic impact of oil extraction in Ecuador.
Environmental and Social impact= is that pipelines carrying toxic material have cracked which thus pollutes water supplies that humans and animals rely on.
Economic impact= is that risk of health due to toxic pollution will result in strain on health services.
Explain the problem of overfishing in the North Sea.
Heavy reliance on fish has led to a rapid decline in number of fish being caught due to unsustainable fishing practices. Catches of 300,000 tonnes of cod in the 1970s fell to 70,000 tonnes in 2015.
Give 1 environmental, social and economic impact of overfishing in the North Sea
Environmental impact= Unsustainable fishing practices have led to a severe decline in the number of cod in the north sea.
Social impact= Millions of people rely on fish as a form of employment and as the numbers of fish decline less people will get jobs.
Economic impact= Industries that rely on fish for their products will begin to lose income as the numbers of fish decline.
Where are valuable minerals such as gold and diamonds most commonly found?
They are most commonly found near areas of volcanic activity.
Where are fossil fuels mostly found?
They are most commonly found in areas made of rocks formed by deposition.
1) What percentage of the earth’s surface is made up of farmland?
2) What percentage of the earth’s surface is still covered by forests?
3) What percentage of forests have already been exploited for timer to create farmland?
1) 40% of the earth’s surface is made up of farmland.
2) 30% of the earth’s of the earth’s surface.
3) 80% of the earth’s forests have already been exploited for timber and to create farmland.
Give 3 of the UK’s natural resources and describe their distribution.
1) Precipitation= This is higher in the north and west of the UK.
2) Agriculture= East Anglia has flat, fertile land so is suitable for arable farming (wheat). Sheep farming is located in the upland northern areas like Scotland.
3) Oil and gas= Oil and goas is extracted from the North Sea.
Describe resource consumption in terms of Water, Food and Energy across the world.
1) Energy Usage= It is higher in technically advanced and developed countries such as the U.S. It is lower in developing countries such as Sudan.
2) Water usage= Water surplus in rainforest as precipitation > evaporation. Water deficiency in North Africa as precipitation < evaporation.
3) Food consumption= High in wealthy and more developed countries such as the U.S, Canada and the UK. Lower in developing countries such as Ghana, Bolivia and Peru where people survive on fewer than 2000 calories per day.
Define a Choropleth map
It is a map in which countries are shaded according to which part of the key they come under.
Give 2 advantages of the non-renewable energy resource coal.
1) Coal is a very productive resource as it generates large amounts of energy.
2) There are still enough coal reserves to last 200+ years.
Give 3 disadvantages of the non-renewable energy resource coal.
1) Burning coal releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
2) Mining coal is dangerous and has caused many deaths.
3) It is expensive to develop mines and opencast pits.
Give 3 advantages of the renewable energy resource wind.
1) It is a clean energy and does not pollute or emit greenhouse gases.
2) It is the lowest priced renewable energy resource.
3) Wind farms can be built on agricultural land providing income for the land owners.
Give 3 disadvantages of the renewable energy resource wind.
1) Many people feel that wind turbines spoil their view of the landscape.
2) Energy is only produced when there is wind to spin the blades.
3) Offshore wind farms are far from where the resource is needed meaning expensive transportation is required.
Define a countries energy mix.
Energy mix= The proportion of different energy sources used in a country.
Define consumption in terms of energy usage.
Consumption= The action of using up a resource.
Describe the composition of the UK energy mix.
- During the 1970s the UK relied heavily on coal and non renewable energy sources. 91% percent of energy consumption was from these sources.
- By 2014 this reliance had decreased with a rise in renewable energy sources.
- The UK government has a target of 15% of energy being from renewable sources by 2020.
