1. Agriculture & Natural Resources

2. What are Natural Resources?
Natural Resources are objects, materials, creatures, or energy found in nature that can be used by humans.

3. 7 Common Types of Resources
Soil
Water
Fish and Wildlife
Forest
Energy
Minerals
Recreational

4. Soil Resources
Topsoil- uppermost layer of soil that we must get almost all of our food and natural fibers from
Potential issues related to ag
Erosion
Conversion of agricultural land to urban development

5. Water Resources
Usable water (“Water, water everywhere…but not a drop to drink!”)
potable = drinkable
Uses
Energy (hydroelectric dams)
Human use
Watering crops
Transportation

6. Water Resources Potential issues related to ag Quality (Pollution)
Control (Runoff)
Distribution of water
Water management districts (WMD)

7. Fish and Wildlife Resources
Non-domesticated animals
either game or nongame
Also can include uncultivated plant life
Potential issues related to ag:
Protected species
Extinction
Predation

8. Forest Resources
Both commercial (for sale/profit) and noncommercial forests
Produces timber  wood products
Good forest management: timber is grown to be harvested and replanted
Potential issues related to ag:
Deforestation

9. Energy Resources
Almost all energy for life comes from the sun (solar energy), directly or indirectly
Other sources: Wind & Fossil Fuels
non-metallic minerals - Coal, Natural Gas, Petroleum, etc.

10. Mineral Resources Metallic ores: Other non-metallic minerals:
copper, aluminum, zinc, tin, etc.
Other non-metallic minerals:
Mica, limestone, graphite

11. Mineral Resources Play a HUGE role in agricultural technology
Tools, machinery, buildings, etc.
Mineral fertilizers and essential micronutrients

12. Recreational Resources
Forests, lakes, beaches, mountains, parks, game animals and fish.
Places to relax, enjoy life, & enjoy nature.

13. Recreational Resources
Farmlands complement recreational areas by providing important habitat for wildlife as well as scenic views

14. Resource Types

15. Types of Resources There are three main types: Nonexhaustible
Renewable
Exhaustible/Nonrenewable

16. Nonexhaustible resources
Can last forever regardless of human activities
Example: water- quality may change, but the amount of water is unchanging and permanent, regardless of what we do

17. Renewable Resources Resources that can be replaced by human efforts
Can still be used up
Example: Forest- humans can plant trees to replace ones that we use

18. Nonrenewable/Exhaustible Resources
Resources that exist in finite quantities, they do no renew themselves, once they are gone, they are gone.
Not all have a practical limit (coal)- there is a limited amount, but it is a huge amount
Examples: oil, coal, soil