What might this be a close up of and how could it be linked to the topic we are currently studying?

Renewable, Non-Renewable, Flow or Semi-renewable?

RESOURCES NATURAL RESOURCES – are naturally occurring substances NON-RENEWABLE (finite) Non- recyclable Recyclable SEMI-RENEWABLE (resources that regenerate over intermediate timescales years) RENEWABLE FLOW RENEWABLE resources are in CONSTANT supply and do not need regeneration HUMAN RESOURCES Human resources are the number of people in a population and it abilities and skills. Biotic (resources that regenerate on human timescales through ecological cycles)

For example: most fish stocks, shellfish etc come from marine sources. Minerals are sourced from the Earth’s crust. HEP derives from rivers. Crops are sourced from farmland. Timber from….. Geothermal energy….. However, it is difficult to allocate all resources to broad categories, which makes the source classification unsatisfactory.

Point resources are concentrated in small geographical areas. The availability of some minerals such as gold and copper is restricted to small areas both globally and regionally. Diamond production is also highly localised. Four countries account for nearly three-quarters of global output. Diffuse resources are geographically widespread. For example, forests occupy nearly 30% of the Earth’s land surface.

Key Terms  RESOURCE DEPLETION – The consumption of non-renewable finite resources which will eventually lead to their exhaustion.  RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – The control of exploitation and use of resources in relation to economic and environmental costs.  SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - A carefully calculated system of resource management which ensures that the current level of exploitation does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Materials only become resources when the technology exists to find, exploit, process and use them. Some resources have been used for thousands of years and their use has been affected by ‘trends’. Can you think of examples?

Technological Advance  The development of new resources.  The replacement of less efficient with more efficient resources. The Industrial Revolution  Water power replaced by steam power = rapid development of coalfields from the mid-1700s.  Invention of the Gilchrist-Thomas process in 1878 = development of the Jurassic iron ore fields of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands. More Recent Developments  Nuclear power = new use for uranium, which led to a significant price increase.  Higher oil prices and advances in deep-sea oil production technology = production of oil and gas in the deeper parts of the North Sea.  Increase in recycling = more important and involving a much wider range of materials and products.

Uranium ore mining in Kakadu National Park, Australia Undiscovered until 1789 For a century or more used for colouring glass/glazes for ceramics. Radioactive properties discovered at the start of the 20 th century. Remained an element with limited uses until the development of nuclear technology in the 1930s First uses were in weaponry and uranium became an extremely valuable resource. Later technological breakthroughs made in possible to generate electricity from nuclear power. By 2008 there were 435 nuclear reactors in 30 countries producing 17% of the world’s electricity. Today uranium is a valuable resource worth $86 per kg

How can changes in society affect the demand for resources? How can population itself be seen as a resource?

Case Study Examples: Water and Tin  The supply and use of resources is determined by a combination of physical and socio-economic factors.  The factors which influence the supply and use of resources change with time.  Changes in the supply and use of resources are influenced by technology, economics and societal values.

Case Study

A. Why does the UN expect the global water supply problem to become worse over the next 50 years? B. Why will the greatest problems be experienced by LEDCs? C. Explain the consequences in LEDCs of (i) poor water supply in terms of quantity and (ii) poor water supply interms of quality. D. For an MEDC you have studied in relation to water problems: i. Explain the causes of these problems and ii. Discuss the possible solutions to them.

China Egypt India Mexico Pakistan Uzbekistan Resource 1 relates to changes in water resource availability in selected countries between 1998 and Outline a geographical issue indicated and suggest appropriate strategies for its management. (10 marks) Table 1 Water Resources (m³ per person per year)