Natural Resources and Conservation
Grade 4 · Science · Study Guide
Learn about Earth's natural resources, how humans use them, and why conservation is important.
Natural resources are materials found in nature that people use to survive and build things. They include water, air, soil, plants, animals, sunlight, wind, and minerals. Natural resources can be divided into two groups: renewable and nonrenewable.
Renewable resources are those that can be replaced or replenished naturally in a relatively short time. Sunlight, wind, water, and living things like trees are renewable. For example, if a tree is cut down, a new one can be planted. Solar and wind energy can be used over and over without running out.
Nonrenewable resources take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced once they are used up. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are nonrenewable. These formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years. Minerals like iron, gold, and copper are also nonrenewable.
Conservation means using natural resources wisely to make them last longer. People conserve resources by reducing how much they use, reusing items, and recycling materials. Turning off lights, taking shorter showers, and not littering are simple ways to help.
Polling, deforestation, and overuse can damage ecosystems and harm wildlife. Protecting natural habitats and using clean energy sources like solar and wind power helps preserve resources for future generations.
Key terms
- Natural resource
- A material found in nature that living things use, such as water, air, soil, or minerals
- Renewable resource
- A resource that can be replenished naturally in a reasonable amount of time, such as sunlight or wind
- Nonrenewable resource
- A resource that takes millions of years to form and cannot be replaced once used, such as coal or oil
- Fossil fuel
- A nonrenewable energy source formed from ancient organisms, including coal, oil, and natural gas
- Conservation
- The careful use and protection of natural resources to prevent waste and damage
- Pollution
- Harmful materials introduced into the environment that can damage ecosystems and harm living things
Flashcards
- Natural resource
- Material from nature used by living things, such as water, air, soil, plants, or minerals
- Renewable resource
- Resource replenished naturally in a short time; examples: sunlight, wind, water, trees
- Nonrenewable resource
- Resource formed over millions of years that cannot be replaced; examples: coal, oil, natural gas
- Fossil fuel
- Energy-rich substance formed from ancient living things; coal, oil, and natural gas
- Conservation
- Protecting and using resources wisely to reduce waste and preserve them for the future
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Three strategies for conserving resources and reducing waste
- Pollution
- Harmful substances in air, water, or soil that damage the environment
- Deforestation
- Large-scale cutting down of forests, which destroys habitats and reduces oxygen production
Questions
Which of the following is a NONRENEWABLE resource?
- Sunlight
- Wind
- Coal
- Water
Show answer
Answer: Coal
Coal is a fossil fuel that took millions of years to form from ancient plants. Once burned, it cannot be replaced, making it nonrenewable.
Solar energy is a renewable resource because sunlight can be used over and over again.
Show answer
Answer: True
The sun continuously produces energy and will continue for billions of years. Solar panels can capture this energy repeatedly without using it up.
The careful use of natural resources to avoid waste is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: conservation
Conservation is using resources carefully and avoiding waste to ensure they last for future generations.
Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of:
- Renewable resources
- Fossil fuels
- Minerals
- Living resources
Show answer
Answer: Fossil fuels
Coal, oil, and natural gas are all fossil fuels, formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years under heat and pressure.
Trees are a nonrenewable resource because once they are cut down they are gone forever.
Show answer
Answer: False
Trees are a renewable resource. When a tree is cut down, a new one can be planted and grown. As long as forests are managed responsibly, trees can be replenished.
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