Grade 9 Physical Geography

Natural Resource

Anything from nature that humans use (e.g., water, trees, minerals).

Renewable Resource

Resources that regenerate over time (e.g., forests, fish, wind, solar).

Non-Renewable Resource

Finite resources that do not regenerate in a human lifespan (e.g., oil, coal, natural gas, minerals).

Sustainable Development

Using resources in a way that meets current needs without harming future generations.

Conservation

Careful use and protection of natural resources to prevent waste and long-term depletion.

Ecological Footprint

The impact of a person or community on the environment, measured in the amount of land needed to sustain their use of natural resources.

Primary Industry

Industry involved in collecting natural resources (e.g., fishing, forestry, mining).

Secondary Industry

Industry involved in manufacturing products from raw materials.

Tertiary Industry

Services that support the economy (e.g., retail, tourism, healthcare).

Quaternary Industry

Knowledge-based services (e.g., research, IT, education).

Extraction

Removing natural resources from the Earth.

Overfishing

Catching fish faster than they can reproduce, leading to population decline.

Climate Change

Driven by burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Loss of Biodiversity

Caused by habitat destruction, pollution, and invasive species.

Sustainability Challenges

Balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

Mitigation

Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.

Adaptation

Adjusting to actual or expected climate change.

Outsourcing

Sending jobs or production to other countries.

Free Trade

Trade without barriers like tariffs.

Tariff

A tax on imported goods.

Comparative Advantage

A country’s ability to produce goods at a lower cost than others.

Dutch Disease

Economic problems caused when a country’s currency becomes too strong due to resource exports.

Basic Job

Brings money into a community (e.g., mining).

Non-basic Job

Services that recycle money inside a community (e.g., teacher).

Coniferous

Evergreen trees.

Deciduous

Trees that lose their leaves in fall.

Renewable Energy

Replaces fossil fuels.

Selective Cutting

Only some trees are cut, protecting the ecosystem.

Crop Rotation

Helps maintain soil nutrients.

Fish Quotas

Regulate how much fish can be caught.

Carbon Tax

Encourages businesses to reduce emissions.

Hydroelectric Power

Clean, renewable energy generated by the force of moving water.

Biomass Energy

Energy that comes from plants and animals.

Wind Energy

Energy produced by wind turbines.

Solar Energy

Energy harnessed from the Sun.

Geothermal Energy

Heat that comes from deep inside the Earth.

Nuclear Energy

Energy released by splitting uranium atoms.

Non-renewable Resources

Cannot be replenished quickly (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas).

Pollution

Air, water, and land pollution from industries and improper waste disposal.

Resource Management Issues

Examples include overexploitation, pollution, and climate change.

Sustainable Forests

Manage resources to protect ecosystems and prevent depletion.

Fossil Fuels

Formed from the remains of dead plants and animals over millions of years.

Renewable Resources

Can be replenished naturally (e.g., wind, solar, geothermal).

Advocacy Groups

Organized groups that work to protect environmental issues.

Hydro Power

Energy created from the force of moving water.

Eco-Friendly Practices

Actions taken to promote environmental sustainability.

Climate Pollutants

Gases that contribute to climate change, often emitted from fossil fuels.

Environmental Degradation

Damage to the natural environment caused by human activities.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits provided by ecosystems that support human life.

Resource Sustainability

Using resources at a rate that meets current needs without compromising future availability.

Habitat Destruction

Loss of natural environments due to human activity.

Renewable vs. Non-renewable

Comparison of resources that can and cannot be replenished.

Community Resource Management

Local efforts to manage and protect resources.

Ecosystem Balance

Maintaining stable interactions between living organisms and their environment.