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Examples of Natural Resources-1

Forest resources are vital but being depleted through clearing for plantations, leading to reduced wildlife, extinction of species, less rainfall, and environmental degradation. Overfishing depletes fish resources and causes extinction of some species. Laws aim to conserve fish populations by restricting nets and protecting breeding areas. Wildlife is threatened by habitat loss from deforestation, farming, and settlements, as well as poaching and illegal trade of endangered species. Wetlands provide important water resources but human activities like farming and development threaten their well-being.

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Nathan Kembo
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61 views

Examples of Natural Resources-1

Forest resources are vital but being depleted through clearing for plantations, leading to reduced wildlife, extinction of species, less rainfall, and environmental degradation. Overfishing depletes fish resources and causes extinction of some species. Laws aim to conserve fish populations by restricting nets and protecting breeding areas. Wildlife is threatened by habitat loss from deforestation, farming, and settlements, as well as poaching and illegal trade of endangered species. Wetlands provide important water resources but human activities like farming and development threaten their well-being.

Uploaded by

Nathan Kembo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXAMPLES OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Forests resources ---forests and woodlands are vital components of any ecosystem in that
they shelter wildlife, absorb carbon dioxide( a greenhouse gas) and release oxygen. Provide
timber and industrial raw materials .Forests are cleared to make space for plantations.
exploitation of forests leads to
-reduced animal and plant species
-extinction of species
- shortage of forests products eg firewood, construction materials, foodstuffs, herbs or
medicines,
-environmental degradation and desertification
-reduction in evapotranspiration hence less rainfall
-global warming -trees absorb carbon dioxide
-loss of income from tourism related to forests
-soil erosion -reduction in soil fertility
Fish resources
Factors influencing the overexploitation of fish resources --- people exploit fish for food
and fish products
Effects of overfishing -----depletion of fish resources, extinction of some fish species.
Laws to conserve fish
-Restricting the size of the holes in nets to let the small fish escape
-stop fishing in breeding areas
-controlling the number of fishing boats
-licensing boats
Wildlife resources
These are plants and animals not domesticated they are found in the natural forest. There
are endangered animals which needs to be protected eg elephants and rhinos.
The main threat to wildlife is loss of habitat due to deforestation for farming and
settlements. Also illegal trade has influenced exploitation of wildlife ie poaching of rhinos
and elephants for horns and ivory. There is also uncontrolled collection of rare species of
plants and animals ,spraying of some plants with pestcides endanger some species.climate
change also cause dersetification.
CAMPFIRE ( communal Areas management programme for indigenous resources ) helps
communities with conservation.
Water resources
All activities on earth depends on water eg agriculture, industry, agriculture
ecosysytems.the competition and demand for fresh water is one of the biggest
environmental and economic challenges on earth
Factors that leads to the exploitation of water resources.
- Rivers used as transport routes eg congo river in central Africa
- For irrigation and industry
- For energy eg HEP
- Fishing
- For tourism eg waterfalls and rapids
- Habitat for a variety of animals
Problems associated
Global warming and changing rainfall patterns and overexploitation of water
resources have led to water scarcity.
Population growth and increased urbanisation leads to sanitation problems and
water scarcity
Lack of clean water in rural areas
Water pollution from industries ,sewage ,disposal of waste ,washing,agricultural
chemicals – cause diseases
Siltation of rivers as a result of poor farming methods making water bodies shallower
and the water undrinkable.
NB – wetlands or dambos are an important water source during the dry season for
grazing and cultivation though human activities are threatening the wellbeing of
wetlands.
QN – identify human activities that threatens the well being of wetlands.
Suggest ways to protect wetlands
Land and soil resources
Land is used for settlement,industry,farming ,infrastructure etc. hence should be
taken care of to avoid polluting it. Both soil and land pollution affects human health.
Soil is used for habitation and for providing nutrients to plants .however
deforestation,overgrazing and overcultivation has affected soil which leads to soil
erosion and dersetification.
Problems associated
Soil erosion as people clear land for settlement ,farming atc
Land degradation as a result of population pressure the soil will become infertile
Deforestation – the removal of vegetation exposes the soil to agents of
erosion( practice afforestation)
Overgrazing – increase in animals creates pressure on vegetation ,also the
movement of animals compact the soil hence encourage run off of water which also
cause soil erosion and washes nutrients away. (practice rotational grazing)
Monoculture – growing of the same crop on the same piece of land year after year.it
leads to soil infertility and loosens the soli fabric which promotes erosion. (practice
crop rotation)
Shifting cultivation -clearing of land for cultivation and abandoning it exposes the soil
to erosion since its left bare hence easily eroded by rain.
Dersetification -spread of derset conditions to areas where they did not exist before
cause of deforestation,overgrazing,overcropping which subjects the topsoil to
erosion .infertile soils results in reduced food production.
Mineral resources
Minerals are raw materials for industries and also are a source of energy eg
coal,oil,gas
Provide employment
Source of foreign currency
Lead to development of infrastructure and settlements
Develop related industries.
Problems of mining
Open cast mines scar the landscape
Loss of habitat when vegetation is removed
Sinkholes can form which can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes
Results in land ,air ,water and noise pollution
Mining activities encroach on protected areas which threatens biodiversity
It consumes large amounts of water hence affect water resources.
It also takes up land meant for other purposes.

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