NONRENEWABLE
AND
RENEWABLE
RESOURCES
A non-renewable resource is a natural
resource which cannot be reproduced, grown,
generated, or used on a scale which
can sustain its consumption rate, once depleted
there is no more available for future needs. Also
considered non-renewable are resources that are
consumed much faster than nature can create
them. Fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum
and natural gas), nuclear power (uranium) and
certain aquifers are examples. Metal ores are
prime examples of non-renewable resources.
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A renewable resource is a natural resource with
the ability to reproduce through biological or
natural processes and replenished with the
passage of time. Renewable resources are part of
our natural environment and form our eco-system.
Resources such as timber (when harvested
sustainably) and wind (used to power energy
conversion systems) are considered renewable
resources.
Renewable Resource
• Timber • Air • Animals • Trees • Hydro Power
• Geothermal Power • Plywood • Sugar Cane
• Corn • Leather • Wood
COMPONENTS OF
ENVIRONMENT
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An organism’s environment has both abiotic and
biotic components.
- Abiotic components are nonliving chemical and
physical factors such as temperature, light, water,
and nutrients.
-Biotic components are living factors such as other
organisms.
An ecosystem consists of all abiotic factors plus all
organisms that exist in a certain area
Abiotic factors are the non-living Components of the
Environment
• Abiotic factors include:
– Sunlight
– Water
– Temperature
– Wind
– Soil/nutrients
– Special events such
as:
• Fires
• Hurricanes
• Floods
• Volcanic
eruptions
• Tsunamis
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Abiotic Factors
• Temperature also affects the distribution of
plants and animals.
• As a rule, temperature are lower as you move
towards the poles or as you climb in
elevations. For this reason arctic or subarctic plant communities can be found at
high elevations in the tropics.
• In the temperate latitudes living organisms
must be able to tolerate the temperature
extremes of summer and winter. nter.
• In the tropics there is very little seasonal
change and many organisms have a narrow
range of temperature tolerance.
Other Abiotic Factors
Calcium: The lack of availability of calcium
will restrict the distribution of land snails. If
there is no calcium a shell can’t be
secreted.
Sand: the size of the sand grains in the soil
can impact animal that are burrowers.
Nitrogen: Not just nitrogen, but nitrate (NO3).
This is the form of nitrogen used by plants.
When nitrate is not readily available in the
soil, some plants supplement it with a meat
diet. (insectivorous plants).
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Biotic Factors
• A living organism is also affected by the
living components of its environment.
• Competition exists for available food
resources.
• Predators feed on members of the
population.
• Microbes can bring diseases.
• There may be competition for nesting space.
• Plants may compete for the light needed to
carryout photosynthesis.
• These are many other biological factors
determine the success of an individual or
species.
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