Geography Unit 2

Natural Resources

Aspects of our natural environment that can be used to produce goods and services.

Types of Natural Resources

Natural resources can be classified into three types: renewable, nonrenewable, and flow resources.

Renewable Resources

A resource that can regrow or reproduce as long as it is not overused. Examples include soil, agriculture, food, fish, and forests.

Nonrenewable Resources

A resource that is limited and cannot be replaced if it is used up. Examples include fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and minerals.

Flow Resources

A resource that must be used up when and where it is found or it is lost. They 'move around' and are replaced by natural actions. Examples include wind, water, and sunlight.

Benefits of Natural Resources

Natural resources contribute significantly to the economy, with a report indicating they contribute $260B to Canada's GDP.

Sustainability

The ability to use natural resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Interrelationships

Exploring the relationship between natural resource use and the physical environment.

Minerals and Metals

Natural resources embedded in rock below Earth's surface that require extraction for everyday items.

Open Pit Mining

A method used when metals and minerals are close to the surface; involves digging a large hole and removing covering materials.

Example of Open Pit Mine

The Diavik Diamond Mine located in Northwest Territories.

Post-Exhaustion Reclamation

The process where companies are legally required to restore mined land, including filling holes, planting vegetation, and creating recreational areas.

Underground Mining

Used for minerals that are deep underground; involves creating vertical shafts and horizontal tunnels.

Example of Underground Mine

The Syama Gold Mine in Mali.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A crucial process that assesses the potential impacts of mining on water, wildlife, land, and communities before operations begin.

Tailings

Waste generated from mining operations, often containing harmful toxins, requiring careful management.

Impacts of Mining - Positive

Includes economic growth, resource availability, job creation, and technological advancement.

Impacts of Mining - Negative

Involves habitat disruption, pollution, loss of land, erosion, and potential health risks.

Forestry Practices in Canada

Utilization of large forested areas for lumber; trees are sources for various products including furniture and housing materials.

Types of Trees - Deciduous

Trees such as Maple and Oak, typically used for furniture and found in warmer regions.

Types of Trees - Coniferous

Trees such as Pine and Spruce, commonly used for paper and thriving in cooler climates.

Forestry Process

Involves marking healthy trees, felling them, removing branches, and cutting trunks into transportable sections.

Selective Logging

A forestry technique where only mature trees are cut to protect younger growth.

Strip Logging

A logging method that involves cutting trees in strips while leaving some areas untouched.

Clear-Cut Logging

A logging practice that involves felling all trees in a designated area, often resulting in habitat destruction.

Urban Logging

The practice of removing mature trees for safety or construction purposes, increasing the utilization of the removed materials.