UNIT-IIIUNIT-III

NATURAL NATURAL RESOURCESRESOURCES

Forest ResourcesWater ResourcesMineral ResourcesFood ResourcesEnergy resourcesLand resources

Definition :Definition :

Natural resources are things that are found in nature that are useful to people

Natural resources are classified Natural resources are classified into two types.into two types.

1.Renewable resources

2.Non-renewable resources

1.Renewable resources –which can be regenerated within a span of a time

Ex: soil,water,air, wildlife, natural vegetation

The renewable resources are further sub classified into two types:

a)Continuous resources:

Ex: solar energy, wind, tidal energy

b)Extrinsic resources:

Ex: human skills, institutions, management abilities.

2.Non-renewable resources2.Non-renewable resources

Cannot be regeneratedEx: minerals, coal, oil, natural gas, ground

water.

FOREST RESOURCESFOREST RESOURCES

Forest are one of the most important renewable natural resources on this earth.

Types of forests:

1. Evergreen forests2. Deciduous forests.3. Coniferous forests.

1. Evergreen forests

ex: the silent valley in Kerala

Important trees- Teal, rosewood.

2. Deciduous forests

a) Tropical deciduous forests – teak, sandalwood.

b) Temperature deciduous forests

3. Coniferous forests

Ex: pine tree, spruce tree.

Functions of forestsFunctions of forests1.Forests perform very important functions both to

humans and to nature.

2.habitats- plants, animals, and wildlife.

3. Recycle – rainwater and remove pollutants from air.

4. Control water quality and quantity.

5.Moderate temperature and weather and maintain humidity.

Uses (or) Benefits of forestsUses (or) Benefits of forests

FuelRaw materials as pulp, paper, board, timber

etc.,Gums, resins, dyes ,etc.,Medicines and drugs.Honey, ivory.Mining, grazing, dams

Ecological usesEcological uses

Production of oxygen

Reducing global warming

Soil conservation

Regulation of hydrological cycle

Pollution moderators

Wildlife habitat

Aesthetic valueAesthetic valueBamboo – mats, baskets, cots, etc.,

Plants – fruits, leaves, seeds, roots are used as food.

Medicines , alcoholic drinks.

Aromatic oils and other oils used for lighting and cooking.

Touristic valueTouristic value

Ecotourism provides a growing income for those who have facilitated it. Several countries are now attracting the tourists.

OVER EXPLOITATION OF FORESTReason for over exploitation in IndiaCauses for over exploitation

a) increasing agricultural productionb) increasing industrial activitiesc) increasing demand of wood resources.

DEFORESTATIONDEFORESTATIONDefinition: Deforestation is the process of removal of

(or) elimination of forest resources due to many natural or man-made activities. In general deforestation means destruction of forests.

Causes of DeforestationDevelopmental projects.

i) Through submergence of forest area underwater

ii) Destruction of forest areaExamples: big-dams, hydroelectric projects, road

construction etc.

Mining operationsEX: Mica, coal, manganese, limestone.Raw materials for industriesEx: boxes, furniture's, plywood, match-

boxes, pulp,.Fuel requirementsShifting cultivationForest fires

Effects of deforestation on the Effects of deforestation on the environment environment Global warming

Loss of genetic diversity

Soil erosion

Loss of biodiversity

Loss of food grains

Unemployment problems

Flood and landslides

Conservation of forestsConservation of forestsNew plants of more or replace the existing trees.Wood –use fuel ,should be discouragedSpraying pesticidesForest fire must be controlled by modern

techniquesOver grazing by cattle must be controlledEducation and awareness programmes must be

conductedStrict implementation of law

CASE STUDIESCASE STUDIES

Timber Extraction

Mining

Dams and Their effects on forests and tribal people

Uses of timber

Timber – raw materials, pulp, paper, furniture, etcTimber –developmental activities, railways, boats,

road construction.

Effects of timber extractionDeforestationSoil erosion, loss of fertility, landslides, and loss of

biodiversityTribal cultureReduces thickness of forest

MiningMining

Types of mining Surface mining-shallow deposits Underground mining-Steps involved in mining Exploration Development Exploitation Ore processing Extraction and purification of minerals

Effects of miningEffects of mining

Mining activity- destroy trees, pollutes soil, water, air.

Destruction of natural habitat at the mine and disposal sites.

Noise pollution is the another major problem from mining operations.

Mining reduces the shape and size of the forest areas.

Dams and their effects on forest Dams and their effects on forest and tribal peopleand tribal people

Dams are the massive artificial structures built across the river to create a reservoir in-order to store water for many beneficial purpose.

Effects of dam on forestThousands of hectaresResidential accommodation

WATER RESOURCESWATER RESOURCES

Water is an important component of all the living beings.

Nearly 80% of earth surface is covered with water

All organisms are made up of mostly by water

Example: Tree, Animals

Hydrological cycleHydrological cycle

Evaporation

Condensation and precipitation

Transpiration and respiration

Distribution of water resourcesDistribution of water resources

Found 97.4% water in oceans and is too salty and cannot be used for drinking, irrigation, industrial purposes.

Remaining 2.6% of fresh water , most of which is licked up in ice or in deep ground water.

Thus only about 0.014% of the earth’s total volume of water is easily available to us as usable ground water

Types of fresh water resourcesTypes of fresh water resources

Fresh water resources may be classified into two types.

1.surface watera) standing water bodies: Lakes, reservoirs,

estuaries.b) flowing water bodies: Streams, rivers.

2.under ground water.

Surface waterSurface water

The water , which is coming out directly through precipitation and does not percolate down into the ground or does not return to the atmosphere by evaporation is known as surface water.

OrThe water stored on the surface of earth is

called surface water.

Uses of water-different typesUses of water-different types

Consumptive use- here water is completely utilized and it is not reused

Example : industry and irrigation

Non –consumptive use – water is not completely utilized and it is used.

Example: hydropower plant.

Other important uses of waterOther important uses of water

Drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing, etc.,Hotels, theatres, educational institutions,

offices,etc.,Irrigation,aggricultureIndustrial operationsAll the living organisms

Over –utilization of waterOver –utilization of water(surface and ground water(surface and ground water

The rapid increase in population and industrial growth have increased the demand for water resources

Effects on over utilization of water Decrease of ground water Ground subsidence Lowering of water table Intrusion of salt water Earthquake and landslides Drying up of wells Pollution of water

floodsfloods

A flood is an overflow of water , whenever the magnitude of flow of water exceeds the carrying capacity of the channel within its banks.

Causes of floodsHeavy rainfall, melting of snow, sudden

release of water from dams.Over flowing of lakes and rivers

Effect of floodsEffect of floodsDue to flood, water spreads in the surrounding

areas and submerges themDue to floods the plain surface have become

eroded and silted with mud and sand, thus the cultivable land areas gets affected.

Flood management Controlled by dams or reservoirs Channel management and embankments also control the

floods. Flood hazard may also be reduced by forecasting or flood

warning.

droughtdrought

Drought is nothing but scarcity of water, which occurs due to inadequate, late arrival of rains and excessive withdrawal of ground water.

Types of droughtTypes of drought

Meteorological drought

Hydrological drought

Agricultural drought

Socio-economic drought

Causes of droughtCauses of drought

When annual rainfall is below normal and less than evaporation, drought is created.

High population is also another cause for drought

Deforestation leads to desertification and drought too. when the trees are cut, the soil is subject to erosion by heavy rains, winds and sun.

Effects of droughtEffects of drought

Drought causes hunger, malnutrition and scarcity of drinking water and also changes the quality of water.

The drought indicates the worst situation and initiation of desertification.

Drought also accelerates degradation of natural resources.

Drought leads to large migration of people and urbanization.

Conflicts over waterConflicts over water

Water is so essential for our existence and is fast becoming a scarce resource.

Freshwater is considered to be the most environmental issue of this century.

Nearly 1.2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water

Causes of water conflictsCauses of water conflicts

Conflict through use

a) international conflictsIndia-pakistan->IndusMexico- USA->Colorado riverIran – iraq -> Shatt-al- Arab water.India- Bangladesh-> Bhramaputra river.

b) National conflictsSharing of Cauvery water- Karnataka&

Tamil nadu.Sharing of Krishna water- Karnataka &

Andhra Predesh.Sharing of Siruveni water – Tamil nadu&

Kerala.

Construction of dams or power stationConstruction of dams or power station

Hydroelectric power generationDams are built across the riversConflict through pollutionProduction of electricity and shippingRivers and lakes are also used for industrial

purpose.Disposing of waste water and industrial

rubbish

MINERAL RESOURCESMINERAL RESOURCES

Minerals are naturally occurring substances having definite chemical composition and physical properties

Formation of mineral depositsFormation of mineral deposits

Various biological processesMineral deposits are found due to the biological

decomposition of dead animals and organic matters.

Minerals deposits are also formed due to the concentration of minerals during cooling of molten rock.

Mineral deposits are also formed due to evaporation of sea water.

Classification of mineral Classification of mineral resourcesresources

Identified resources

Undiscovered resources

Reserves

Uses and exploitation of Uses and exploitation of mineralsminerals

Minerals are used in a large number of ways in everyday in domestic, agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors.

Uses:1.development of industrial plants and

machinery – iron,aluminium, copper.2.construction, housing, settlements.- Iron,

aluminium, nickel

3.Generation of energy- Coal, lignite, uranium.4.Designing defense equipments, weapons,

ornaments.5.Agriculture purposes, as fertilizers, seed

dressings and fungicides.- Zineb- Containing zinc; maneb- manganese.

6.Jewellery – Gold, silver, platinum and diamond.7.communication purposes.- Telephone wires,

cables, electronic devices.

Classification of mineralsClassification of minerals

Minerals are classified into two ways based on their composition and usage.

I) Based on CompositionMetallic minerals- iron, aluminium, copper,

zinc.Non-metallic minerals- Quartz, feldspar,

dolomite, calcite

II).Based on UsageCritical minerals- iron, aluminium, copper

and gold.Strategic minerals- manganese, cobalt,

platinum and chromium

Mineral wealth of indiaMineral wealth of india

Iron Coal Manganese Copper Gold Aluminium Tin Chromium

Limestone Mica Monazite Petroleum Lead and zinc Precious stones Magnesite gypsum

Environmental effectsEnvironmental effects

Most important environmental concern arises from the extraction and processing of the minerals during mining , melting, roasting, etc.

MiningMining is the process of extraction of

metals from a mineral deposit.

Types of miningTypes of mining

a) Surface miningb)Underground mining

– i)Open-pit mining– ii)Dredging– iii)Strip mining

Environmental damageEnvironmental damageDevegetation and defacing of landscape

Groundwater contamination

Surface water pollution

Air pollution

Subsidence of land

Effects of over exploitation of Effects of over exploitation of mineral resourcesmineral resources

Rapid depletion of mineral deposits

Over exploitation of mineral resources leads to wastage and dissemination of mineral deposits.

Over exploitation of mineral resources causes environmental pollution.

Over exploitation needs heavy energy requirements.

Management of mineral resourcesManagement of mineral resources

The efficient use and protection of mineral resources

Modernization of the mining industries

Search for new deposit.

Re-use and Re-cycling of the metals.

Case studiesCase studies

Mining and quarrying in UdaipurAbout 200 open cast mining and quarrying

centers are found available in Udaipur, of which 100 mining and quarrying centers are illegal and involved in stone mining(soapstone, building stone, rock phosphate and dolomite.)

Mining in sariska tiger reserve Mining in sariska tiger reserve in aravalli rangein aravalli range

North-west India covering-Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi.

The hill region is very rich in biodiversity as well as mineral resources.

The sariska tiger reserve, in Aravalli series, is very rich in wildlife and has enormous mineral reserves like quartzite, marble and granite.

Quarrying thorium and uranium in kanyakumari districtQuarrying thorium and uranium in kanyakumari district

Indian Rare Earths Corporation is quarrying sands, which is enriched with Uranium and Thorium, near the sea shore in Manali, Kanyakumari District, It leads to the loss of many coconut plantation and sea shore beauty.

Extraction of Aluminium 5.5 Tonnes of Bauxite 1.3 Tonnes of Coal 0.6 Ton of anode carbon 0.25 Ton of fuel oil 0.2 Ton of NaOH oil

Food ResourcesFood ResourcesFood is an essential requirement for the human

survival Each person has minimum food requirement. The main components of food are carbohydrates, fast, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.

Types of food supplyCroplands – Rice, wheat, maize, barley ,

sugarcane, potato.Rangelands- Meat, milk, fruits,Oceans- Fish, prawn, crab.

WORLD FOOD PROBLEMS: WORLD FOOD PROBLEMS:

Problems mainly under nutrition and malnutrition Natural calamities:-famine, drought, earthquake, flood, gale, storm Disease and medical facilities Pest damage:-insects, bacteria, viruses, parasites consume 60% of world's food

production Hunger Population explosion in rural areas Environmental pollution Lack of water for irrigation Less rainfall due to deforestation Livestock overgrazing Overfishing

Under nutrition and malnutritionUnder nutrition and malnutrition

Nutritious

Under nutrition

Malnutrition

CHANGES CAUSED BY OVERGRAZING AND CHANGES CAUSED BY OVERGRAZING AND

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE: : Overgrazing:

Land degradation-leads to organically poor, dry, compacted soil cannot be used for further cultivation

Soil erosion-cover of vegetation gets removed from soil Loss of useful species-good quality grasses and herbs with high

nutritive value, when grazed lose even the root stocks which carry the reserve food for regeneration get destroyed which gives raise to secondary species like parthenium, Lantane, Xanthium etc

To prevent –match the forage supplement to the herd‟s requirement.eg.Switch grass

Modern agriculture: Modern agriculture:

Damage to soil Water contamination Water scarcity Global climate change Water logging-results when soil is over irrigated Soil salinity-increase plant productivity, interferes with water uptake by plants Fossil fuels and pesticides produce air pollution Impacts related to high yielding varieties: Monoculture ie the same genotype is grown over vast areas. Disease spread

easily Micronutrient imbalance e.g Zinc deficiency-affect soil productivity