ENR CDE FFA ultimate review

🌿 1. SOIL RESOURCES

Problems

• Erosion (sheet, rill, gully)

• Soil compaction

• Loss of nutrients

• Salinization

• Soil contamination

Causes

• Over-tilling

• Lack of vegetation

• Overgrazing

• Heavy machinery

• Poor irrigation practices

Impacts

• Reduced crop yields

• Increased runoff

• Sedimentation in waterways

• Loss of topsoil (MOST fertile layer)

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Contour farming
✔ Terracing
✔ Cover crops
✔ No-till / reduced tillage
✔ Riparian buffer strips
✔ Rotational grazing

Judge keyword: Soil conservation

💧 2. WATER RESOURCES

Problems

• Water pollution

• Low dissolved oxygen

• Eutrophication

• Sedimentation

• Water scarcity

Causes

• Fertilizer runoff (N & P)

• Animal waste

• Industrial discharge

• Urban stormwater

• Deforestation

Impacts

• Fish kills

• Algal blooms

• Unsafe drinking water

• Loss of aquatic biodiversity

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Riparian buffers
✔ Constructed wetlands
✔ Nutrient management plans
✔ Reduced chemical use
✔ Wastewater treatment
✔ Water conservation practices

Judge keywords: Watershed protection, nonpoint source pollution

🌬 3. AIR QUALITY

Problems

• Air pollution

• Greenhouse gases

• Acid rain

• Smog

Causes

• Fossil fuel combustion

• Industrial emissions

• Vehicle exhaust

• Agricultural burning

Impacts

• Respiratory issues

• Crop damage

• Forest decline

• Climate change

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Renewable energy use
✔ Emission controls
✔ Energy efficiency
✔ Reduced open burning
✔ Conservation tillage (reduces dust)

🌲 4. FOREST RESOURCES

Problems

• Deforestation

• Habitat fragmentation

• Forest degradation

• Invasive species

Causes

• Clear-cutting without management

• Urban expansion

• Poor forestry practices

• Pests & disease

Impacts

• Loss of biodiversity

• Increased erosion

• Disrupted water cycles

• Reduced carbon storage

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Sustainable forestry
✔ Selective harvesting
✔ Reforestation
✔ Forest management plans
✔ Controlled burns

Judge keyword: Renewable resource management

🐾 5. WILDLIFE & HABITAT

Problems

• Habitat loss

• Invasive species

• Population decline

• Human-wildlife conflict

Causes

• Urbanization

• Agriculture expansion

• Pollution

• Climate change

Impacts

• Species extinction

• Ecosystem imbalance

• Reduced biodiversity

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Habitat restoration
✔ Wildlife corridors
✔ Native species planting
✔ Population monitoring
✔ Conservation laws

🌿 1. SOIL RESOURCES

Problems

• Erosion (sheet, rill, gully)

• Soil compaction

• Loss of nutrients

• Salinization

• Soil contamination

Causes

• Over-tilling

• Lack of vegetation

• Overgrazing

• Heavy machinery

• Poor irrigation practices

Impacts

• Reduced crop yields

• Increased runoff

• Sedimentation in waterways

• Loss of topsoil (MOST fertile layer)

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Contour farming
✔ Terracing
✔ Cover crops
✔ No-till / reduced tillage
✔ Riparian buffer strips
✔ Rotational grazing

Judge keyword: Soil conservation

💧 2. WATER RESOURCES

Problems

• Water pollution

• Low dissolved oxygen

• Eutrophication

• Sedimentation

• Water scarcity

Causes

• Fertilizer runoff (N & P)

• Animal waste

• Industrial discharge

• Urban stormwater

• Deforestation

Impacts

• Fish kills

• Algal blooms

• Unsafe drinking water

• Loss of aquatic biodiversity

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Riparian buffers
✔ Constructed wetlands
✔ Nutrient management plans
✔ Reduced chemical use
✔ Wastewater treatment
✔ Water conservation practices

Judge keywords: Watershed protection, nonpoint source pollution

🌬 3. AIR QUALITY

Problems

• Air pollution

• Greenhouse gases

• Acid rain

• Smog

Causes

• Fossil fuel combustion

• Industrial emissions

• Vehicle exhaust

• Agricultural burning

Impacts

• Respiratory issues

• Crop damage

• Forest decline

• Climate change

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Renewable energy use
✔ Emission controls
✔ Energy efficiency
✔ Reduced open burning
✔ Conservation tillage (reduces dust)

🌲 4. FOREST RESOURCES

Problems

• Deforestation

• Habitat fragmentation

• Forest degradation

• Invasive species

Causes

• Clear-cutting without management

• Urban expansion

• Poor forestry practices

• Pests & disease

Impacts

• Loss of biodiversity

• Increased erosion

• Disrupted water cycles

• Reduced carbon storage

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Sustainable forestry
✔ Selective harvesting
✔ Reforestation
✔ Forest management plans
✔ Controlled burns

Judge keyword: Renewable resource management

🐾 5. WILDLIFE & HABITAT

Problems

• Habitat loss

• Invasive species

• Population decline

• Human-wildlife conflict

Causes

• Urbanization

• Agriculture expansion

• Pollution

• Climate change

Impacts

• Species extinction

• Ecosystem imbalance

• Reduced biodiversity

ENR-Approved Solutions

✔ Habitat restoration
✔ Wildlife corridors
✔ Native species planting
✔ Population monitoring
✔ Conservation laws

All living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things that interact in an area.

Natural Resources

Materials from nature that humans use.

• Renewable: soil, water, forests, wildlife, sunlight

• Nonrenewable: coal, oil, natural gas, minerals

Sustainability

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

Conservation vs Preservation

• Conservation: wise use and management

• Preservation: protection from use

Judges LOVE knowing the difference.

🌿 2. ECOLOGY

Ecosystem

Living organisms interacting with their environment.

Biotic Factors

Plants, animals, bacteria, fungi

Abiotic Factors

Water, soil, sunlight, temperature, air

Food Chain

Producer → Consumer → Decomposer

Food Web

Multiple connected food chains

Carrying Capacity

Maximum population an ecosystem can support sustainably.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in an ecosystem.

• Higher biodiversity = more stable ecosystem

🌱 3. SOIL RESOURCES (VERY HEAVY ON CDE)

Soil Composition

• 45% minerals

• 25% water

• 25% air

• 5% organic matter

Soil Texture

• Sand: large particles, drains fast

• Silt: medium

• Clay: small particles, holds water

Soil Horizons

• O: organic matter

• A: topsoil (MOST important)

• B: subsoil

• C: parent material

Soil Problems

• Erosion

• Compaction

• Nutrient loss

• Salinization

• Contamination

Erosion Types

• Sheet: thin layer removed

• Rill: small channels

• Gully: deep channels

Soil Conservation Solutions

✔ Contour farming
✔ Terracing
✔ Cover crops
✔ No-till
✔ Crop rotation
✔ Windbreaks
✔ Riparian buffers

💧 4. WATER RESOURCES

Watershed

Land area where all water drains to one point.

Water Pollution Types

• Point source: single identifiable source

• Nonpoint source: runoff (MOST COMMON)

Major Pollutants

• Sediment

• Nutrients (N & P)

• Pesticides

• Animal waste

• Heavy metals

Water Quality Indicators

• pH: 6.5–8.5 healthy

• Dissolved Oxygen: high = good

• Turbidity: low = good

• Nitrates/Phosphates: low = good

Water Problems

• Eutrophication

• Fish kills

• Unsafe drinking water

• Habitat loss

Water Solutions

✔ Wetlands
✔ Riparian buffers
✔ Nutrient management
✔ Wastewater treatment
✔ Reduced chemical use
✔ Water conservation

🌊 5. WETLANDS (JUDGES LOVE THESE)

Functions

• Filter pollutants

• Reduce flooding

• Recharge groundwater

• Provide wildlife habitat

Threats

• Draining

• Development

• Pollution

Protection

• Conservation laws

• Restoration projects

🌬 6. AIR QUALITY

Air Pollutants

• Carbon monoxide

• Sulfur dioxide

• Nitrogen oxides

• Particulate matter

• Greenhouse gases

Problems

• Smog

• Acid rain

• Climate change

Solutions

✔ Emission controls
✔ Renewable energy
✔ Energy efficiency
✔ Reduced burning

🌲 7. FORESTRY

Forests Are

• Renewable resources

• Carbon sinks

• Wildlife habitat

Forest Management

• Selective cutting: sustainable

• Clear-cutting: sometimes useful, risky

• Reforestation: required after harvest

Forest Threats

• Deforestation

• Invasive pests

• Wildfires

• Urbanization

🐾 8. WILDLIFE & HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Habitat Requirements

• Food

• Water

• Shelter

• Space

Problems

• Habitat loss

• Fragmentation

• Pollution

• Climate change

Solutions

✔ Habitat restoration
✔ Wildlife corridors
✔ Native plants
✔ Population management
✔ Conservation laws

🐍 9. INVASIVE SPECIES

Definition

Non-native species that cause harm.

Impacts

• Outcompete natives

• Reduce biodiversity

• Alter ecosystems

Control Methods

✔ Mechanical
✔ Biological
✔ Chemical (last resort)
✔ Prevention

⚡ 10. ENERGY RESOURCES

Nonrenewable

• Coal

• Oil

• Natural gas

Renewable

• Solar

• Wind

• Hydropower

• Biomass

• Geothermal

Best ENR Choice

Renewable + energy conservation

🌍 11. CLIMATE CHANGE

Causes

• Greenhouse gas emissions

• Fossil fuels

• Deforestation

Effects

• Extreme weather

• Sea level rise

• Species shifts

Solutions

✔ Renewable energy
✔ Reforestation
✔ Sustainable agriculture
✔ Emission reduction

🧪 12. TOOLS & EQUIPMENT (ID + PURPOSE)

• Soil auger: soil sampling

• Clinometer: slope measurement

• pH meter: acidity

• Turbidity tube: water clarity

• Quadrat: population sampling

• D-frame net: aquatic organisms

🌱 Ecosystems

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (biotic factors) interacting with nonliving components (abiotic factors).

Biotic factors

• Plants

• Animals

• Bacteria

• Fungi

Abiotic factors

• Sunlight

• Water

• Temperature

• Soil

• Air

• Minerals

👉 ENR questions often ask how changing one factor affects the rest of the system.

🔁 Energy Flow

Energy always flows one direction through an ecosystem.

Food chain

• Simple, linear energy transfer

Food web

• Multiple interconnected food chains

• More realistic

Trophic levels

1. Producers – plants, algae (photosynthesis)

2. Primary consumers – herbivores

3. Secondary consumers – carnivores

4. Tertiary consumers – top predators

5. Decomposers – bacteria, fungi (recycle nutrients)

⚠ 10% Rule

• Only ~10% of energy transfers to the next level

• Explains why ecosystems can’t support many top predators

♻ Nutrient Cycles

Matter cycles, energy does not.

Water Cycle

• Evaporation

• Condensation

• Precipitation

• Runoff

• Infiltration

Carbon Cycle

• Photosynthesis removes CO₂

• Respiration releases CO₂

• Fossil fuels add excess CO₂ → climate change

Nitrogen Cycle

• Nitrogen fixation (bacteria convert N₂ → usable form)

• Nitrification

• Assimilation

• Denitrification

👉 Fertilizer runoff messes with nitrogen cycle → eutrophication.

2⃣ SOIL SCIENCE & LAND USE

Soil is HUGE in ENR.

🌾 Soil Formation

Soil forms from:

• Parent material (rock)

• Climate

• Organisms

• Topography

• Time

Soil horizons

• O – organic matter

• A – topsoil (most fertile)

• E – leached layer

• B – subsoil (minerals)

• C – parent material

🧱 Soil Texture

Determined by particle size:

Loam = ideal mix of sand, silt, clay

🚜 Soil Conservation

Soil erosion is a major issue.

Causes

• Wind

• Water

• Poor farming practices

Conservation methods

• Contour farming

• Terracing

• No-till farming

• Cover crops

• Windbreaks

👉 Expect scenario questions asking which method best fits a situation.

3⃣ WATER RESOURCES & MANAGEMENT

💧 Watersheds

A watershed is an area of land that drains into a body of water.

• Pollution upstream affects everything downstream

• Runoff is a major pollution source

🚰 Water Pollution Types

Point source

• Identifiable (pipe, factory discharge)

Nonpoint source

• Runoff (fertilizers, pesticides)

• Harder to regulate

🌊 Eutrophication

Excess nutrients → algae bloom → oxygen depletion → fish kills

Usually caused by:

• Fertilizer runoff

• Sewage

🧼 Water Treatment

Steps:

1. Coagulation

2. Sedimentation

3. Filtration

4. Disinfection

4⃣ AIR QUALITY & CLIMATE

🌬 Air Pollutants

Primary pollutants

• Emitted directly (CO, SO₂, NOx)

Secondary pollutants

• Form in atmosphere (ozone, smog)

☁ Smog

• Photochemical smog = sunlight + NOx + VOCs

• Common in cities

🌎 Climate Change

Driven by greenhouse gases

• CO₂

• Methane

• Nitrous oxide

Effects

• Rising temperatures

• Sea level rise

• Extreme weather

• Habitat shifts

5⃣ WILDLIFE & HABITAT MANAGEMENT

🦌 Wildlife Management Goals

• Maintain healthy populations

• Prevent overpopulation

• Preserve biodiversity

🏞 Habitat Components

Wildlife needs:

• Food

• Water

• Shelter

• Space

Loss of any = population decline

🧬 Biodiversity

High biodiversity = stable ecosystem

Threats:

• Habitat destruction

• Invasive species

• Pollution

• Climate change

🚫 Invasive Species

Non-native species that cause harm

Examples:

• Kudzu

• Zebra mussels

• Asian carp

6⃣ FORESTRY & RANGE MANAGEMENT

🌲 Forestry

Forest uses

• Timber

• Wildlife habitat

• Recreation

• Watershed protection

Harvesting methods

• Clear-cutting

• Selective cutting

• Shelterwood cutting

🌾 Rangeland

Used for grazing livestock and wildlife.

Overgrazing effects

• Soil erosion

• Loss of plant diversity

7⃣ WASTE MANAGEMENT

🗑 Solid Waste

Hierarchy

1. Reduce

2. Reuse

3. Recycle

4. Recover

5. Dispose

♻ Recycling

Common materials:

• Paper

• Aluminum

• Glass

• Plastics (#1–#7)

☢ Hazardous Waste

Characteristics:

• Ignitable

• Corrosive

• Reactive

• Toxic

Handled under strict regulations.

8⃣ LAWS, AGENCIES & CAREERS (VERY IMPORTANT)

📜 Major Environmental Laws

• Clean Air Act

• Clean Water Act

• Endangered Species Act

• NEPA

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

👉 Know what each protects.

🏢 Agencies

• EPA – environmental protection

• USDA – agriculture & conservation

• NRCS – soil & water conservation

• USFS – forests

• Fish & Wildlife Service – wildlife

💼 ENR Careers

• Environmental scientist

• Conservationist

• Soil scientist

• Wildlife biologist

• Hydrologist

• Forester

• Environmental engineer