RENEWABLE & NON RENEWABLE RESOURCES

Transcription

1 Lecture 7 NATURAL RESOURCES: RENEWABLE & NON RENEWABLE RESOURCES Introduction & Forest Resources By Prof. S. P. Bajpai

2 2 Natural Resources Natural resources are the componenets of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere which are useful and necessary for life. These include energy, air, water, minerals, plants, animals and soil. They are essential for the fulfillment of physiological, social, economical and cultural needs at the individual and community levels.

3 3 Natural Resources are of two types Renewable resources: Natural resources which can be used but can only be regenerated by natural processes provided if there is no intervention in natural regeneration cycle. Example: water, wood, solar energy and wave power.

4 4 Non-Renewable Resources: Any naturally occurring, finite resource that diminishes with use, such as oil and coal. In terms of the human timescale, a non-renewable resource cannot be renewed once it has been consumed. Most non-renewable resources can only be renewed over geologic time. All the fossil fuels and mineral resources fall into this category.

5 5 FOREST RESOURCES A forest can be defined as a biotic community predominant of trees, shrubs or any other woody vegetation usually in a closed canopy. It is derived from Latin word 'foris' means 'outside'. Forest resources in India relate to the distinctive topography, terrain, wildlife, climate and vegetation of the country.

6 The Government of India announced that India s forest and tree cover has increased by 5, 081 sq km. While the total forest cover of the country has increased by 3, 775 sq km, the tree cover has gone up by 1, 306 sq km. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2015, the total forest and tree cover is million hectare, which is percent of the total geographical area. Source: Forest Survey of India, State of Forest Report 2015

7 The total carbon stock in the country s forest is estimated to be 7, 044 million tones, an increase of 103 million tonnes, which is an increase of 1.48 in percentage terms over the previous assessments. The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2015 states that the majority of the increase in forest cover has been observed in open forest category mainly outside forest areas, followed by Very Dense Forest. Source: Forest Survey of India, State of Forest Report 2015

8 While Open Forest area has increased by 4, 744 sq km, which is 9.14 per cent of the geographical area, the area under Very Dense Forest has increased by 2, 404 sq kms, which is 2.61% of the geographical area. About 40 per cent forest cover is in 9 big patches of 10, 000 sq km and more. The increase in total forest cover also includes an increase in the mangrove cover. Source: Forest Survey of India, State of Forest Report 2015

9 Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet. They produce vital oxygen and provide homes for people and wildlife. Many of the world s most threatened and endangered animals live in forests, and 1.6 billion people rely on benefits forests offer, including food, fresh water, clothing, traditional medicine 9 and shelter. (Source: WWF; )

10 1 But forests around the world are under threat from deforestation, jeopardizing these benefits. Deforestation comes in many forms, including fires, clear-cutting for agriculture, ranching and development, unsustainable logging for timber, and degradation due to climate change. This impacts people s livelihoods and threatens a wide range of plant and animal species. Some thousand square miles of forest are lost each year equivalent to 36 football fields every minute. It is estimated that 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation. (Source: WWF; )

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12 1 Importance of Forests: Economic value: Forests supply many products. Wood, timber, plywood, railroad ties, and shingles. It is also used in making furniture, tool handles, and thousands of other products. In many parts of the world, wood serves as the chief fuel for cooking and heating.

13 1 Various manufacturing processes change wood into a great number of different products. Paper is one of the most valuable products made from wood. Other processed wood products include cellophane, fibers' and rayon. Forests provide many important products besides wood. Latex, which is used in making rubber, and turpentine come from forest trees

14 1 Various fats, gums, oils, and waxes used in manufacturing also come from trees. Unlike most other natural resources, such as coal, oil, and mineral deposits, forest resources are renewable. As long as there are forests, people can count on a steady supply of forest products.

15 1 Environmental value: Forests help to conserve and enrich the environment in several ways. For example, forest soil soaks up large amounts of rainfall. It thus prevents the rapid runoff of water that can cause erosion and flooding. Forest plants, like all green plants, help renew the atmosphere. They give off oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the air.

16 1 It reduces soil erosion, prevents siltation and landslides thereby floods. In addition, rain is filtered as it passes through the soil and becomes ground water. This ground water flows through the ground and provides a clean, fresh source of water for streams, lakes, and wells.

17 1 It regulates earth temperature and hydrological cycle. Forest litter help in maintaining soil fertility. Forests also play an important role in existence and conservation of wild life.

18 1 Recreational value: The natural beauty and peace of the forest offer a special source of enjoyment. In the United States, Canada, and many other countries, huge forestlands have been set aside for people's leisure.

19 1 Many people use these forests for such activities as camping, hiking, and hunting. Others visit them simply to enjoy the scenery and relax in the quiet beauty. People uses forest as a picnic spots and as a place for recreational activities.

20 Benefits of Forests 2 Direct Benefits: Source of fuel wood Source of timber Source of bamboo Provide food Provide shelter Provide raw material for paper Provide raw material for artificial fibres Source of non timber forest products

21 2 Indirect benefits: Conservation of soil Soil improvement Reduction of atmospheric pollution Regulate climate change Control water flow Prevent soil erosion Recharging of underground water table Play role in the process of water cycle.

22 2 Classification of Forests: Tropical Forest: These types of forests are characterized by their location near the equator. They have year - round high temperatures and abundant rainfall which makes them a dense and lush with vegetation. They are vital storehouse of biodiversity on the planet. Sub-tropical Forests: These are found to the south and north of the Tropical Forests. The trees here are adapted to resist the summer drought.

23 2 Mediterranean Forests: These forests are found to the south of the temperate regions around the coasts of the Mediterranean, California, Chile and Western Australia. The growing season is short and almost all trees are evergreen, but mixed hardwood and softwood. Temperate Forests: These forests are found in eastern North America, north-eastern Asia, and western and eastern Europe. Temperate forests are a mix of deciduous and coniferous evergreen trees. Usually the broad - leaved hardwood trees shed leaves annually.

24 2 Coniferous Forests: Coniferous forests are found in the cold, windy regions around the poles. The conifers are evergreen and structurally adapted to withstand the long drought - like conditions of the long winters, whereas the hardwoods are deciduous. Montane Forests: These forests receive most of their precipitation from the mist or fog that comes from the lowlands and as such are known as cloud forests. Some of these montane woodlands and grasslands are found in high elevation tropical, subtropical and temperate zones. Plants and animals in these forests are adapted to withstand the cold, wet conditions and intense sunlight. Trees are mainly conifers.

25 2 Over - Exploitation of Forest Resources: Agriculture: Shifting agriculture, livestock rearing, grazing, crop- plantations. Extraction: Mining, fisheries, timber, harvesting, harvesting of non- woody vegetation. Development: Industry, human settlement, tourism, infrastructure development (roads, dams). Unspecified-causes:Fragmentation,deforestation, drainage, replacement by ground waste. Hunting and Collecting: Food support, cultural uses, medicinal plants.

26 2 Trade (legal): Food commodities, traditional medicines. Accidental: Trapping, hooking, netting, poisoning. Natural disasters: Volcanoes, drought, floods. Wild Fire: Intentional, unintentional and natural. Others: Land and water pollution, global warming acid rains, ozone hole effect.

27 2 Deforestation: It describes the complete long term removal of tree cover. The loss of forest cover influences the climate and contributes to a loss of biodiversity. The economic activity is adversely affected by siltation, flooding, soil degradation and reduced timber supplies. Thus, in turn, threatens the livelihood of people.

28 2 Causes for Deforestation: Agriculture Commercial logging Mining Increase in population Urbanization and industrialization Construction of dam reservoirs Forest fires Overgrazing Pest attack Natural calamities

29 2 Consequences of Deforestation: Food problems Exposing soil to heat and rain Flooding Loss of biodiversity Displacement of indigenous communities Climate change

30 3 Economic loss Health issues Habitat destruction Reduction in oxygen level Increase in pollution Loss of cultural diversity Lowering of water table

31 3 Timber extraction and its impact Wood used for the engineering purposes like building houses making furniture etc is called timber wood. Impacts: Loss of cultural diversity Loss of biodiversity Loss of carbon storage capacity

32 3 Sustainable Forest Management: Conservation of forest is a national problem so it must be tackled with perfect coordination between forest department and other departments. People's participation in the conservation of forests is of vital importance. So, we must get them involved in this national task.

33 3 The cutting of trees in the forests must be stopped at all costs. Celebrations of all functions, festivals should proceed with tree- plantation. Cutting of timber and other forest produce should be restricted. Grasslands should be regenerated. Forest Conservation Act, 1980 should be strictly implemented to check deforestation.

34 3 Joint Forest Management (JFM) Central and state government have undertaken many afforestation programmes such as: Agro Forestry: In this the same piece of the land is used for the farming, forestry and animal husbandry

35 3 Social Forestry: In this case trees are raised for fuel wood, fodder, edible fruits, agricultural implements and construction purpose by rural population. Urban Forestry: In this case the ornamental fruit trees are grown in urban areas suh as house compounds, common parks and along road sides.

36 3 Some case studies: Deforestation and Ecological Imbalance: Narmada Valley Project Jarawa s Survival in Andaman Islands Uttar Kannada District of Western Ghats Gadchiroli District in Central India Afforestation and Conservations: Chipko movement Apiko movement Joint Forest Management