Natural Resources
Year 6 students explore how humans use and manage natural resources including water, soil, minerals, and forests, and examine sustainability challenges and solutions.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Natural resources are materials from the environment that people use: air, water, soil, minerals, plants, and animals
Renewable natural resources (timber, fresh water) can be replenished if managed sustainably; non-renewable ones (minerals, fossil fuels) cannot
Overuse of natural resources leads to deforestation, soil degradation, water scarcity, and loss of biodiversity
Sustainable management strategies include recycling, water conservation, reforestation, and reduced consumption
Key Vocabulary
Natural resource
A material from the natural environment that humans use to meet their needs
Sustainability
Meeting today's needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
Deforestation
The large-scale removal of forests, often for agriculture or development
Conservation
The careful management of natural resources to prevent waste and protect the environment
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Which natural resource is renewable if managed carefully?
Question 2
What is one consequence of deforestation?
Question 3
Which of the following is a sustainable water management strategy?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Natural resources are materials from the environment that people use: air, water, soil, minerals, plants, and animals
- ●Renewable natural resources (timber, fresh water) can be replenished if managed sustainably; non-renewable ones (minerals, fossil fuels) cannot
- ●Overuse of natural resources leads to deforestation, soil degradation, water scarcity, and loss of biodiversity
- ●Sustainable management strategies include recycling, water conservation, reforestation, and reduced consumption