Resource distribution means how resources are spread out across a geographic area.

Energy is the power used to make things work, for example to provide heat or light or to operate machinery.

Minerals are chemical substances that are formed naturally and are found in the ground or in rocks.

Renewable means that something can be re-used and will not be used up or run out.

Introducing natural resources

Geography

Identifying renewable and non-renewable energy sources

Global food production and its impacts

Economic minerals and their uses

Wood and its many uses

Water: our essential resource

This unit supports 'South America: Why does the Amazon matter?' and learning about why the Amazon matters, with its vast natural resources of water, forests and biodiversity, and to 'Energy: How do we power the world?', which explores energy in more detail.

This builds on 'Local area: Why are trees and forests important?', learning about the value of trees as a natural resource in the local area to learn about different types of natural resources globally, their unequal distribution, and some of the threats they face or pose.

This unit introduces natural resources, including food, water, minerals and energy. Pupils explore where different resources are found, how they are used, and the effects of this use on people and the environment.

Natural resources: what are they, where are they found, why are they important?

Finite resources have a limit, or an end and will run out.

Hydro-electric power generates electricity by using water.

Geothermal energy comes from heat contained within the Earth's crust.

An unsustainable resource is one that is being used more or faster than it can be replaced or regrown.

Some farmers rear animals - they breed and raise them for food.

Crops such as corn, vegetables, and rice are grown on arable farms.

Animals are reared for products such as meat and dairy items on pastoral farms.

Sustainable farming means growing crops and rearing animals in a way that damages the environment as little as possible.

Extraction is the process of removing something (like minerals), especially by force.

Mining is the process of digging under the ground to remove natural resources.

Quarrying is digging into the surface of the ground to remove things like rock or sand for use.

Biofuels are fuels made from plant materials

Timber is wood that has been cut down and prepared for use in industries

An exporter is a company, or country, that sells goods and products in other countries

Boreal forests are the world’s largest land biome and are found in the Northern hemisphere

A reservoir is an artificial lake made by humans to store water.

Water supply means the water from lakes, rivers and reservoirs that is carried by pipes to homes and businesses for daily use.

Using a resource in a way that ensures there will be enough left for future generations.

Natural resources: what are they, where are they found, why are they important?

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