aice environmental management unit 5 study guides

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Natural resources materials or substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain or social benefit
• Renewable resources replenished naturally on a human timescale (solar, wind, hydro power)
• Non-renewable resources finite supplies that cannot be readily replaced once extracted (fossil fuels, minerals)
• Resource depletion occurs when extraction rates exceed replenishment rates leading to declining availability
• Sustainability meeting current resource needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs
• Ecological footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment in terms of resource consumption and waste assimilation
  • Calculated by assessing land and water area required to produce resources consumed and absorb waste generated
• Tragedy of the commons economic problem where individual users acting in their own self-interest deplete shared limited resources

Natural Resource Types and Classifications

• Biotic resources derived from living organisms (forests, animals, plants)
• Abiotic resources non-living elements (minerals, water, air)
• Energy resources used to generate power (fossil fuels, nuclear, renewables)
  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) formed from decomposed organic matter over millions of years
  • Nuclear energy harnessed from atomic reactions releasing heat to generate electricity
  • Renewable energy derived from naturally replenished sources (solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, biomass)
• Metallic resources contain metal elements extracted through mining (iron, copper, aluminum)
• Non-metallic resources lack metal content but have economic value (sand, clay, salt)

Resource Extraction and Production Methods

• Mining process of extracting valuable minerals or geological materials from the Earth
  • Surface mining removes ore deposits near the surface (open-pit, strip mining)
  • Underground mining accesses deep ore deposits through shafts and tunnels
• Drilling method used to access liquid or gaseous resources trapped underground (oil, natural gas)
  • Offshore drilling involves extracting resources from beneath the ocean floor
• Harvesting gathering or collecting resources from their natural environment (logging, fishing)
• Refining converts raw materials into pure or usable forms by removing impurities (oil refining, metal smelting)
• Processing transforms raw materials into finished products through physical or chemical changes (food processing, manufacturing)
• Extraction efficiency the ratio of usable resource output to total resource input in the extraction process

Environmental Impacts of Resource Use

• Habitat destruction clearing land for resource extraction or infrastructure development
• Deforestation permanent removal of forests for timber, agriculture, or development resulting in biodiversity loss and climate change
• Air pollution release of harmful substances (particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides) from resource extraction and processing
• Water pollution contamination of water bodies by toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or sediment from resource activities
  • Acid mine drainage occurs when exposed sulfide minerals react with air and water producing sulfuric acid
• Greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane) from burning fossil fuels contribute to global climate change
• Soil degradation loss of soil quality and productivity due to erosion, contamination, or nutrient depletion from unsustainable resource practices
• Ecosystem disruption alterations to species interactions, food webs, and nutrient cycles from resource extraction and pollution

Sustainable Resource Management Strategies

• Conservation using resources efficiently and minimizing waste to ensure long-term availability
• Recycling process of collecting and reprocessing used materials into new products
  • Closed-loop recycling uses recycled materials to create the same product (aluminum cans)
  • Open-loop recycling converts waste materials into different products (plastic bottles into clothing)
• Renewable energy transition shifting from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources (solar, wind)
• Sustainable extraction practices minimizing environmental damage and ensuring resource regeneration (selective logging, catch limits)
• Circular economy keeps resources in use for as long as possible through reuse, recycling, and regeneration
• Green infrastructure incorporates natural elements into the built environment to reduce resource consumption (green roofs, permeable pavements)
• Environmental impact assessments evaluate potential environmental consequences of proposed resource projects to inform decision-making

Economic Considerations in Resource Management

• Resource scarcity occurs when demand for a resource exceeds its availability leading to price increases
• Externalities costs or benefits not reflected in market prices (pollution, ecosystem services)
  • Negative externalities impose costs on third parties not involved in the economic activity (air pollution health impacts)
  • Positive externalities generate benefits for others (forest conservation carbon sequestration)
• Market-based instruments use price signals to incentivize sustainable resource use (carbon taxes, cap-and-trade systems)
• Subsidies government financial support for specific industries or activities (renewable energy subsidies)
• Cost-benefit analysis weighs the economic advantages and disadvantages of resource management decisions
• Natural capital the stock of natural resources and ecosystem services that provide benefits to society
• Payment for ecosystem services compensates landowners or managers for conserving ecosystems that provide valuable services (watershed protection, biodiversity)

Policy and Regulations for Resource Conservation

• International agreements multilateral treaties addressing global resource issues (Paris Agreement on climate change, Convention on Biological Diversity)
• National policies laws and regulations governing resource use and conservation within a country
  • Endangered Species Act (US) protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats
  • Clean Air Act (US) regulates air pollutant emissions from stationary and mobile sources
• Environmental standards set limits on pollutant levels or resource extraction rates to protect the environment and human health
• Protected areas legally designated regions managed for conservation purposes (national parks, wildlife refuges)
• Extraction quotas limit the quantity of a resource that can be extracted over a given time period
• Certification programs verify that products meet specific environmental or social standards (Forest Stewardship Council, Marine Stewardship Council)
• Public participation involving stakeholders in resource management decision-making processes to incorporate diverse perspectives and knowledge

Future Challenges and Innovations in Resource Management

• Population growth increasing global demand for resources putting pressure on finite supplies
• Climate change impacts altering resource availability, distribution, and extraction methods
• Technological advancements improving resource efficiency, monitoring, and extraction processes
  • Precision agriculture optimizes inputs (water, fertilizer) based on real-time data to reduce waste
  • Remote sensing uses satellite or aerial imagery to map and monitor resources over large areas
• Sustainable materials development creating biodegradable, renewable, or recycled alternatives to traditional materials (bioplastics, engineered wood)
• Urban mining recovering valuable materials from waste streams or obsolete products (electronic waste)
• International cooperation coordinating efforts across borders to address transboundary resource issues (river basin management, migratory species conservation)
• Adaptive management iterative approach that incorporates new information and adjusts strategies based on monitoring results
• Public awareness and education promoting sustainable consumption habits and resource conservation practices among individuals and communities