Introduction to Natural Resources

1. Introduction to Natural Resources

2. What is a natural resource? Definition: A natural resource is a material found within the natural environment that can be put to use by humans.

3. Renewable or Non-Renewable? Renewable: • A resource that can be replenished/replaced naturally only if it can be replaced faster than it is consumed (can be mismanaged by humans) Non-Renewable: • form slowly or do not naturally re-form in the environment. Once used, these cannot be replaced

4. Canadian Natural Resources Minerals Forestry Fish

5. Canada’s Leading Minerals 2012

6. Gold Uses • Jewellery • Conducts electricity (cables and computer components) • Store of wealth

7. How many gold mines are there in Canada? • Ontario and Quebec account for 82% of Canada’s gold production Gold is a NON-RENEWABLE resource • Why? 33

8. Potash • Canada is world’s largest potash exporter (43% of world trade) • 95% of the world’s potash consumption is for fertilizers

9. World Potash Production Potash is produced in only 12 countries because high-quality, economically mineable deposits are geographically concentrated.

10. 35 % of global capacity of potash is found in Saskatchewan

11. Potash is a NON-RENEWABLE resource Rick Mercer video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA64vYy9ZK0

12. Coal • Coal is used to produce energy in Canada and around the world • The majority of Canada’s coal mines are in British Columbia and Alberta

13. Westar Open Pit Coal Mine. Sparwood, British Columbia, Canada, 1985 Edward Burtiynsky

14. Mountains of coal in China – Edward Burtynsky

15. Forestry

16. Forestry • Canada has the second largest continuous forested area on earth, after Russia. • Forests covers 50% the nation's land mass and constituting 10% of the globe's forest cover. • World's largest exporter of wood pulp, paper, sawn wood and wood-based panels.

17. Forests in North America

18. Forest Resources Most forestry in Ontario and British Columbia Hardwood/Softwood Wood used for construction Wood pulp for paper Forest resources are RENEWABLE

19. Clear-Cutting An entire stand of trees is harvested from an area at one time. • Method used the most Can be implemented in blocks or patches PROS • Fastest • Cheapest • Efficient future logging CONS • Unattractive • Loss habitat • Exposed soil • Not good for tree species that require shade

20. Shelterwood Logging • Used when the species to be regenerated require some protection from direct sunlight to become established • Less direct visual impact until the final harvest

21. Single Tree Selection Used to maintain uneven-aged stands (where the trees are all different ages) and where shade is needed. • Forest regenerates naturally • Less footprint – minimize roads • Costly due to extra time

22. Fishing Uses: • 80% of catch is sold to other countries • Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and British Columbia have the largest fishing industries • Renewable, BUT: • Overfishing in Newfoundland shut down the Cod industry 48 lbs. Ling Cod Winter Harbour. B.C.

23. Trawling • One of the most common methods of fishing in the world. • It involves towing one or more trawl nets behind a boat or in between two boats. • Nets differ by their mesh size.

24. Dredging • Towed dredges are used to collect shellfish such as scallops from the sea floor. • The dredge is towed along the bottom until it is full, then lifted onto the boat and the contents tipped out.

25. Discussion Questions • Canada makes a lot of money extracting and selling non-renewable resources (like coal, potash and gold). • Should Canada continue to mine and sell these resources even though they will eventually run out?