7.1 Natural Resources Uses & Management (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL): Flashcards
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Define natural capital.
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Define natural capital.
Natural capital is the stock of natural resources available on Earth.
Define natural income.
Natural income is the flow of goods and services produced by natural capital.
Give two examples of goods produced as natural income.
Fish and timber, harvested from oceans, rivers and forests, are examples of goods produced as natural income.
True or False?
Non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels, can produce sustainable natural income.
False.
Non-renewable resources can only be used once and cannot be sustainably managed, so they cannot produce sustainable natural income.
What condition must be met for timber harvesting to be a source of sustainable natural income?
For timber harvesting to be sustainable natural income, the rate of new tree growth must be greater than the rate of timber production.
Define renewable resources.
Renewable resources are resources that can be replenished naturally, such as forests and fish populations.
Define non-renewable resources.
Non-renewable resources are finite resources that cannot be replenished, such as fossil fuels and minerals.
How do wetlands provide a natural income service?
Wetlands provide flood prevention as a natural income service, by absorbing excess rainfall and reducing flood risk.
True or False?
Viewing nature purely as natural capital always encourages its long-term conservation.
False.
An extreme anthropocentric view of natural capital can instead lead to over-exploitation and degradation of natural resources.
What criticism do some raise about viewing nature purely as natural capital?
Critics argue that viewing nature purely as natural capital reduces its intrinsic value, ignoring the inherent worth of ecosystems and species beyond their use to humans.
Define ecosystem services.
Ecosystem services are the benefits provided by ecosystems that support life and human well-being.
Ecosystem services fall into four main categories: supporting, regulating, provisioning and services.
Ecosystem services fall into four main categories: supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural services.
Give two examples of supporting ecosystem services.
Supporting ecosystem services include primary productivity (photosynthesis), soil formation and nutrient cycling.
Provisioning ecosystem services include the goods humans obtain from ecosystems, such as food, fibres, fuel and fresh .
Provisioning ecosystem services include the goods humans obtain from ecosystems, such as food, fibres, fuel and fresh water.
Give two examples of cultural ecosystem services.
Cultural ecosystem services include recreation and tourism, education and a sense of place or cultural heritage.
How do coastal mangroves in Southeast Asia function as a regulating ecosystem service?
Coastal mangroves in Southeast Asia protect shorelines from storm surges and support fisheries.
True or False?
The Amazon rainforest acts as a major carbon sink, regulating the global climate.
True.
The Amazon rainforest is a major carbon sink through carbon sequestration, helping to regulate the global climate.
Define the aesthetic value of natural capital.
Aesthetic value is the value derived from the beauty, visual appeal and enjoyment of natural landscapes and biodiversity.
Give an example of the economic value of natural capital.
The logging industry relying on forests for timber production is an example of the economic value of natural capital.
Define the intrinsic value of natural capital.
Intrinsic value is the inherent worth of natural capital, independent of its instrumental value to humans.
How do wetlands demonstrate the environmental value of natural capital?
Wetlands purify water by filtering pollutants, demonstrating the environmental value of natural capital.
Sacred mountains revered for their significance demonstrate the value of natural capital.
Sacred mountains revered for their significance demonstrate the spiritual value of natural capital.
Give an example of the technological value of natural capital.
Biomimicry, such as building designs inspired by the cooling properties of termite mounds, is an example of the technological value of natural capital.
True or False?
The value of natural capital is fixed and does not change over time or between regions.
False.
The value of natural capital is dynamic; it can change regionally and over time due to cultural, social, economic, environmental, technological and political factors.
Cork forests in Portugal are recognised as valuable natural capital due to their cultural importance in the industry.
Cork forests in Portugal are recognised as valuable natural capital due to their cultural importance in the wine industry.
Why might uranium be regarded as negative or harmful natural capital in some regions?
Uranium may be regarded as negative or harmful natural capital because uranium mining is seen as a threat to human health and the environment.
Define the lithium triangle.
The lithium triangle is a region in South America with significant lithium deposits, valued highly due to lithium's critical role in batteries.
Lithium, essential for battery production in the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry, has seen increased market and demand.
Lithium, essential for battery production in the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry, has seen increased market value and demand.
Why is flint no longer considered valuable natural capital?
Flint is now redundant as a resource because it was replaced by the development of metal extraction from ores.
True or False?
Political factors, such as government regulations, cannot influence the market value of natural capital.
False.
Governments can impose restrictions or incentives, such as limiting uranium mining, that affect the extraction and value of natural capital.
Give an example of the social value of natural capital.
Parks, woodlands and beaches providing spaces for people to connect with nature and strengthen social bonds is an example of the social value of natural capital.
Give an example of the health value of natural capital.
Access to clean air, water and green spaces for exercise and relaxation is an example of the health value of natural capital.
Define renewable natural capital.
Renewable natural capital includes natural resources that can be replaced or regenerated at a rate equal to or faster than they are being used.
How is groundwater naturally replenished?
Groundwater is naturally replenished through precipitation and infiltration.
Define non-renewable natural capital.
Non-renewable natural capital includes natural resources that cannot be replaced or regenerated at a rate equal to or faster than they are being used.
True or False?
Soil is always a renewable resource, regardless of how it is used.
False.
Soil can become non-renewable when it is degraded or eroded at a faster rate than it can be naturally replenished.
Name two unsustainable agricultural practices that can lead to soil erosion.
Excessive tilling and deforestation are unsustainable agricultural practices that can lead to soil erosion and depletion.
Coal, oil and natural gas are finite resources known as , formed over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals.
Coal, oil and natural gas are finite resources known as fossil fuels, formed over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals.
Give an example of a rare-earth mineral with finite reserves used in electronics.
Lithium is an example of a rare-earth mineral with finite reserves, used in electronics.
Once precious metals such as gold and silver are fully extracted from natural reserves, they must be or obtained from existing stockpiles.
Once precious metals such as gold and silver are fully extracted from natural reserves, they must be recycled or obtained from existing stockpiles.
Why is uranium considered non-renewable natural capital, despite not being a fossil fuel?
Uranium reserves are not replenishable within human timescales, so uranium is considered non-renewable natural capital despite not being a fossil fuel.
Name two sustainable forestry management practices.
Sustainable forestry practices include selective logging, reforestation and maintaining biodiversity.
Setting catch limits, implementing seasonal fishing restrictions and establishing marine protected areas are strategies used in management.
Setting catch limits, implementing seasonal fishing restrictions and establishing marine protected areas are strategies used in fisheries management.
True or False?
Overfishing beyond the natural reproduction rate of fish populations has no long-term impact on fishing communities.
False.
Overfishing depletes fish stocks, disrupts marine ecosystems and impacts the livelihoods of fishing communities.
Give two environmental impacts of deforestation.
Deforestation can cause habitat loss, soil erosion and desertification, and can contribute to climate change.
What can excessive withdrawal of groundwater from aquifers cause?
Excessive groundwater withdrawal can cause freshwater depletion, saltwater intrusion and long-term water scarcity.
True or False?
Wetlands can regenerate after disturbances such as droughts or human activities like mining and construction.
True.
Wetlands can self-sustain and regenerate through natural processes such as sedimentation and nutrient cycling, even after such disturbances.
How do forests demonstrate renewable natural capital through natural regeneration?
Forests regenerate through seed dispersal and natural growth, allowing new trees to replace those that have been harvested.
Define resource security.
Resource security is the ability of societies to ensure the long-term availability of sufficient natural resources to meet demand.
Name three key natural resources relevant to resource security.
Key natural resources for resource security include water, food, energy and raw materials.
True or False?
Resource security has no role in preventing conflict between societies.
False.
Resource security helps prevent resource conflicts and supports sustainable development.
Give one technological factor contributing to food security in the United States.
The use of GMOs and advanced irrigation systems is a technological factor contributing to food security in the United States.
Give one political factor that makes water security challenging in Ethiopia.
Dependency on upstream countries for water sources is a political factor affecting water security in Ethiopia.
Factors influencing resource choices include economic, sociocultural, political, environmental, geographical, technological and considerations.
Factors influencing resource choices include economic, sociocultural, political, environmental, geographical, technological and historical considerations.
What sociocultural factor can increase demand for natural resources?
Population growth is a sociocultural factor that increases the demand for natural resources.
How can colonial history affect a country's current resource availability?
Colonial history can affect current resource availability and control through past exploitation.
Why has Australia focused on water conservation?
Australia has focused on water conservation due to its arid climate and frequent droughts.
True or False?
Advances in irrigation technology and water recycling have improved water efficiency in Australia.
True.
Advances in irrigation technology and water recycling improve water efficiency and availability in Australia.
By what year does Germany aim to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions?
Germany aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Which two renewable energy sources is Germany prioritising to reduce reliance on coal and nuclear power?
Germany is prioritising wind and solar energy to reduce its reliance on coal and nuclear power.
What economic incentives has Norway used to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles?
Norway offers significant incentives and tax exemptions for EV buyers, reducing costs and encouraging adoption.
Norway's widespread charging station infrastructure, supported by government policy, is encouraging a shift from oil and gas to energy sources.
Norway's widespread charging station infrastructure, supported by government policy, is encouraging a shift from oil and gas to renewable energy sources.
How do net zero emissions goals influence countries' resource choices?
Net zero emissions goals encourage the use of renewable energy over fossil fuels and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
True or False?
Technological innovation can create new resources or improve resource use efficiency.
True.
Technological innovation can create new resources, enable resource extraction or improve resource use efficiency.
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