 a.Renewable Resource: a resource found in nature that can be replaced naturally (oxygen, water, timber, solar energy) b.Non-renewable Resource: a resource that cannot be replaced by nature at the same rate that they are being used(oil, natural gas, coal) c.Natural Resource: anything that people use that comes from nature (air, water, wood, oil, coal, iron) I. Conservation Vocabulary

 a. Three major uses of the land that changes it are: i. Agriculture ii. Mining iii. Development b. In each of the above three uses it is important to think about soil management i. Soil Management: taking care of the nutrients in soil, as well as avoiding erosion and desertification II. Conservation of Land and Soil

 c. Soil Management in Agriculture i. Agriculture: this includes growing crops and raising livestock ii. Old farming Practices 1. Plow and re-plow fields: digs into the soil and bring up fresh soil from below 2. Issues with plow and re-plow: the ground remains uncovered and soil is lost through wind erosion and water can no longer stick in the soil 3. Overgrazing: livestock remains in one field and the plants are never replenished or regrown 4. Issues with overgrazing: again, the soil becomes bare and is now susceptible to wind erosion and lack of water supply II. Conservation of Land and Soil

 I. Conservation of Land and Soil

 iii. Old Farming Practice Disaster: The Dust Bowl 1. Occurred in the 1930’s in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas 2. Eventually this killed thousands of people 3. Contributing Factors: a. Over grazing: too many livestock on the same land b. Over plowing: farmers would continuously plant crop which means they would continuously plow the fields c. Loss of groundcover: they ripped up any grasses or plants from the ground. These are what would have captured water and kept wind erosion from acting on the soil II. Conservation of Land and Soil

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 iv. Better farming Practices 1. Rotating Crops: Instead of using the same field every year for corn the farmer will put the corn in a different field every couple of years a. This helps to give the land a break from being farmed. b. The land will over grow with plants and weeds and the nutrients and moisture will be restored back into the soil II. Conservation of Land and Soil

 2. Cover crops: during off-seasons plant a useful crop like soy beans or alfalfa in the corn field to provide ground cover to avoid erosion 3. Plant a tree line: by putting a tree barrier around the field it is less likely for wind erosion to happen 4.No-till farming: never plow the soil. Plant the crops right in the undisturbed soil. Usually using hay as a fertilizer and protector for the plants II. Conservation of Land and Soil

 a.Water Vocabulary i. Tributary: the streams and small rivers that flow into a large central river ii. Watershed: the land area that supplies water to the main river system III. Conservation of Water

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 b. Human effect on watersheds: i. Lawn Fertilizers and manure 1. When these are put on the land and it rains, the chemicals in the fertilizers can be carried away eventually getting into the rivers/oceans 2. These chemicals stimulate algae growth a. Overabundance of algae will affect sunlight getting to the bottom of the water b. This lack of sunlight will effect plant growth on the bottom which in turn effects the oxygen level in the water for other organisms in the water III. Conservation of Water

 ii. Poor soil management allows for soil erosion 1. This soil makes its way to the water 2. When this soil gets in the water it can reduce available living space for water animals, as well as the soil can clog the gills of fish III. Conservation of Water

 1.Explain some of the factors that led to the Dust Bowl. 2.What occurred in the 1940’s that helped restore the land? 3.What are some practices that we can use today to help avoid soil loss? 4.How can you, even if you are not a farmer, help with soil conservation? Warm-Up #1

 c. Ways to avoid human effects on watersheds i. Everything we put in the ground eventually makes its way back to the water ii. Therefore, we need to think about what types of chemicals we are putting in the ground and how we are treating our soil iii. Practical Ways 1. Use less chemical fertilizers and more natural plant fertilizers such as hay and grass 2. Be aware of development: do not cut down and clear out more than is necessary III. Conservation of Water

 d. Aquifers: underground layer of rock or sediment that holds natural freshwater i. Major Aquifer: Ogallala Aquifer. 1. This goes from South Dakota to Texas ii. These are not unlimited sources of water iii. The Ogallala only refills at about 3 inches per year on average, we are using about 2 feet of the water every year iv. This natural water is being depleted faster than it is refilling v. If this water is depleted, it could take 6,000 years to refill III. Conservation of Water

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 e. Water is a limited resource i. 97% of the world is covered in salt water which cannot be used for farming and drinking water ii. We are using our freshwater supply faster than it can replenish itself iii. If we run out of freshwater, we will no longer have water that is safe to drink 1. Purifying salt water is a very expensive processes and not everyone will be able to afford this type of water if it is all we have left III. Conservation of Water

 f. Ways to Conserve Water i. In the home 1. Check Pipes often for leaks 2. Insulate the pipes to allow for faster heated water delivery to the shower or sink 3. Use of Rain Barrels: Keep these beside the house and hook up pipes for ability to use rain water as shower water and sink water. III. Conservation of Water

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 ii. In the Garden/Landscape 1. Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants 2. Water at night or early morning to avoid evaporation 3. Use rain barrels to water gardens and landscapes III. Conservation of Water

 g. What has Sarasota Done? i. Watering Restrictions 1. Even Numbered addresses are only allowed to water on Tuesday 2. Odd Numbered addresses on Thursday 3. Maximum water used in irrigation zones is three-fourths of an inch 4. You cannot water between 10a.m and 4 p.m III. Conservation of Water

 a.What are the wetlands? i. Area that is covered with water all or some of the year ii. They help to control floods and provided habitats for many different species iii. Three major types 1. Marshes: grassy, covered in shallow water 2. Swamps: located in humid, warm climates 3. Bogs: common in cooler northern climates IV. Wetlands

 b. Coastal Wetlands i. normally a mix of salt and fresh water ii. Include salt marshes and mangrove forests iii. Salt marshes normally develop in areas with rich mud iv. Mangrove Forests have trees with thick tangled roots IV. Wetlands

 c. Why should we care about Wetlands? i. Not only are Wetlands a major habitat for many different species, they are beneficial to humans ii. Benefits to humans 1. Mangroves help to slow down hurricane winds to minimize land damage i. They do this due to the thick net of roots 2. Wetlands of all kinds help to create a natural water basin for floods. They soak up extra runoff (water that does not get absorbed into the soil) 3. Wetlands are natural filter when they are not polluted 4. Wetland keep temperatures moderate IV. Wetlands

 d. Protecting Wetlands: i. Go to hatyoucando.html hatyoucando.html ii. Give three practical ways YOU can help protect the wetlands right here in Sarasota

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