Earth's Resources: Minerals and Fossil Fuels Answers

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Soil erosion is the weathering away of the Earth’s surface, usually by water, wind, and ice. A serious concern, especially for farmers, is the loss of topsoil. Rain can wash away vital topsoil needed for plant growth; and without protection, wind can erode away topsoil, removing its important nutrients. Without the topsoil and its nutrients, plants cannot survive. One method used to prevent erosion is leaving harvested crops, like corn stalks, on the land during the winter. Doing this may help guard against water and wind erosion. Farmers can also plant trees and shrubs along the edges of their fields. These act as windbreaks and may protect the land from wind erosion. There are also ways of preventing erosion if the land is not flat, such as contour planting.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: There are many obvious consequences of deforestation and clearcutting, such as the loss of habitats for plant and animal species and the declining vitality of natural oxygen producers. Forests play an important role in cleaning and protecting the atmosphere. There are also less obvious consequences of deforestation and clearcutting. When forests are cleared the land is exposed to the elements – water, wind, ice – that cause erosion. Water is especially destructive to this cleared land because heavy rains wash away topsoil that can clog rivers and streams, causing flooding and the further loss of habitat. One important method of preventing the devastating effects of deforestation is reforestation. Reforestation is the replanting of trees to support forest growth in areas that have been cleared.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Just because water is a renewable resource does not mean we cannot run out of it. The amount of water on Earth is staying the same. It is recycled, but the demand is increasing. The number of people using available water supplies for drinking, bathing, washing, and watering their landscapes is increasing. More people also means more agriculture, so more water is being used to grow crops as well.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information:Minerals are naturally occurring substances found beneath the Earth’s surface. They are typically classified into two groups: metallic and nonmetallic. Metallic minerals include gold, silver, and copper. Nonmetallic minerals are the most widely used minerals in the world. People use them to construct homes and commercial buildings and to make materials like concrete, glass, and computer chips. Nonmetallic minerals include rare, highly valued gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, aquamarine, and topaz. They also includes ores, like bauxite (used to make aluminum) and iron.