KS3 Geography: Understanding Human Needs and Natural Resources

What Are the Basic Needs That Humans Require to Survive?

Humans have three basic needs to survive: food, water, and shelter. Food provides energy and nutrients for our bodies. Water is essential for hydration and maintaining body functions, while shelter protects us from the environment.

What Are Natural Resources?

Natural resources are materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment and can be used by humans. They include things like water, air, minerals, and forests. Natural resources are vital because they support life and provide the raw materials we need for everyday activities.

The Four Spheres of the Earth

a) Name the Four Spheres of the Earth

1. Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
2. Biosphere: The regions of Earth that support life, including land and water.
3. Lithosphere: The solid outer part of the Earth, including rocks and soil.
4. Hydrosphere: All the water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, and lakes.

b) Write a Description for Each Sphere

• Atmosphere: This is the air we breathe. It contains essential gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide. It protects us from harmful radiation from the sun.
• Biosphere: This sphere includes all living things on Earth. It encompasses all ecosystems, from forests to oceans. It is where plants, animals, and humans interact.
• Lithosphere: This is the Earth’s solid crust, where we find rocks and minerals. It provides the land we live on and resources like coal and metals. It supports plant life by providing soil.
• Hydrosphere: This includes all forms of water on Earth. It is vital for drinking, agriculture, and supporting aquatic life. Water exists in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

c) Draw an Annotated Sketch Diagram to Explain How the Four Spheres Are Interconnected

(Create a simple sketch showing how the spheres connect. For example, show rain from the atmosphere nourishing plants in the biosphere, which grow in the lithosphere, and how water from the hydrosphere supports life.)

Mind Map of Natural Resources

Here’s a mind map of natural resources found in each sphere:

 Natural Resources     ├── Atmosphere     │   └── Oxygen to breathe     ├── Biosphere     │   └── Cereal plants for food     ├── Lithosphere     │   └── Rocks for building     └── Hydrosphere         └── Oceans for fish 

Definitions of Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources

a) Write Definitions of the Terms Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources

• Renewable Resources: These are resources that can be replenished naturally over time. Examples include sunlight, wind, and trees. They are sustainable because they can be used without running out.
• Non-Renewable Resources: These resources exist in limited amounts and cannot be replaced quickly. Examples include fossil fuels like coal and oil. Once they are used up, they take millions of years to form again.

b) What Is the Key Factor in Deciding Whether a Resource is Renewable or Non-Renewable?

The key factor is the time it takes for the resource to be replenished. Renewable resources can regenerate within a human lifespan, while non-renewable resources take much longer to form. This means that once we use non-renewable resources, they are gone for a very long time.

Questions for Students

Easy Level Questions (20)

1. What are the three basic needs for human survival?
2. What is a natural resource?
3. Name one example of a renewable resource.
4. What do we breathe in from the atmosphere?
5. What does the biosphere include?
6. What is the lithosphere made of?
7. Can you name one non-renewable resource?
8. What is the hydrosphere?
9. Why do we need water?
10. What protects us from the sun’s radiation?
11. What do trees produce that is vital for humans?
12. Which sphere contains all living things?
13. What is an example of a resource found in the lithosphere?
14. What is the main gas we breathe?
15. Name one way humans use the hydrosphere.
16. What happens to non-renewable resources when we use them?
17. How do plants benefit from the lithosphere?
18. Why is the biosphere important for life?
19. What type of resources can regenerate quickly?
20. How does the atmosphere interact with the biosphere?

Medium Level Questions (20)

1. Explain why water is a critical natural resource.
2. Describe how the four spheres are interconnected.
3. What are some examples of resources found in the hydrosphere?
4. How do humans impact the biosphere?
5. Explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.
6. Why is it important to manage non-renewable resources carefully?
7. Give two examples of how the atmosphere supports life.
8. What are some ways we can use renewable resources?
9. Describe the role of the lithosphere in agriculture.
10. How does rainfall benefit the biosphere?
11. What are some natural resources found in the atmosphere?
12. Why can’t we rely solely on non-renewable resources?
13. How do trees contribute to the atmosphere?
14. Name a non-renewable resource and explain its use.
15. What human activities can harm the hydrosphere?
16. How does the lithosphere provide minerals for industry?
17. Why is the biosphere vulnerable to climate change?
18. Give an example of a renewable energy source.
19. How do oceans contribute to the Earth’s climate?
20. What would happen if we exhausted all non-renewable resources?

Hard Level Questions (20)

1. Discuss the impact of deforestation on the biosphere and atmosphere.
2. Analyze how climate change affects the hydrosphere.
3. Compare and contrast two renewable resources with two non-renewable resources.
4. How does the hydrosphere influence weather patterns in the atmosphere?
5. Evaluate the importance of sustainable practices in resource management.
6. Investigate how human activities alter the lithosphere.
7. Discuss the role of the atmosphere in the water cycle.
8. Explain how natural resources are unevenly distributed around the globe.
9. How do changes in the biosphere affect human health?
10. What strategies can be employed to conserve non-renewable resources?
11. Describe the relationship between population growth and resource consumption.
12. How does agriculture impact the lithosphere and biosphere?
13. Discuss the significance of wetlands in the hydrosphere.
14. Evaluate the effects of pollution on the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
15. How do seasonal changes affect the biosphere?
16. Compare the extraction processes of renewable versus non-renewable resources.
17. Assess the consequences of overusing water resources in agriculture.
18. How does mining affect the lithosphere and environment?
19. Explain the concept of ecological footprints in relation to resource use.
20. Discuss the long-term implications of climate change on the four spheres.

Answers to Questions

Easy Level Answers

1. Food, water, and shelter are our basic needs.
2. Natural resources are materials found in nature that we use.
3. An example of a renewable resource is sunlight.
4. We breathe in oxygen.
5. The biosphere includes all living organisms.
6. The lithosphere is made of rocks and soil.
7. An example of a non-renewable resource is coal.
8. The hydrosphere is all the Earth’s water.
9. We need water for hydration and body functions.
10. The atmosphere protects us from harmful rays.
11. Trees produce oxygen, which is vital for breathing.
12. The biosphere includes all ecosystems with life.
13. Rocks and minerals can be found in the lithosphere.
14. The main gas we breathe is oxygen.
15. We use the hydrosphere for drinking and fishing.
16. Once non-renewable resources are used, they take a very long time to replenish.
17. Plants get nutrients and support from the lithosphere.
18. The biosphere is essential for providing food and oxygen.
19. Renewable resources can regenerate quickly, unlike non-renewable resources.
20. The atmosphere provides gases and conditions for life in the biosphere.

Medium Level Answers

1. Water is essential for survival and agriculture.
2. The four spheres interact through processes like the water cycle and nutrient cycling.
3. Examples include fish and fresh water found in the hydrosphere.
4. Human activities like pollution can damage ecosystems in the biosphere.
5. Renewable resources can be replenished, non-renewable cannot.
6. Careful management helps prevent resource depletion.
7. The atmosphere provides oxygen and helps regulate temperature.
8. We can use solar panels and wind turbines for energy.
9. The lithosphere provides soil for crops.
10. Rainwater nourishes plants and replenishes water sources.
11. Natural resources in the atmosphere include oxygen and carbon dioxide.
12. We need alternatives for when non-renewables run out.
13. Trees absorb CO2 and release oxygen.
14. Oil is a non-renewable resource used for fuel.
15. Pollution can contaminate water and harm aquatic life.
16. Minerals from the lithosphere are used for construction and manufacturing.
17. Climate change affects habitats and food sources.
18. Renewable energy sources include solar and wind power.
19. Oceans regulate temperature and weather patterns.
20. Exhausting non-renewable resources would lead to energy crises.

Hard Level Answers

1. Deforestation impacts wildlife and reduces oxygen production.
2. Climate change causes sea level rise and affects freshwater supplies.
3. Renewable resources like wind and solar can be replenished, while coal and oil cannot.
4. The hydrosphere affects weather by influencing humidity and precipitation.
5. Sustainable practices ensure resources remain available for future generations.
6. Human activities can lead to soil erosion and habitat destruction.
7. The atmosphere is crucial for the water cycle by holding moisture.
8. Resources are found in different abundance due to geographical factors.
9. Changes in the biosphere can lead to diseases and nutritional deficiencies.
10. Strategies include recycling, reducing waste, and finding alternatives.
11. Population growth increases demand for resources, leading to depletion.
12. Agriculture can lead to soil degradation and loss of biodiversity.
13. Wetlands filter pollutants and provide habitats for wildlife.
14. Pollution can cause acid rain and affect aquatic ecosystems.
15. Seasonal changes influence plant growth and animal behavior.
16. Renewable extraction is often less harmful than mining for non-renewables.
17. Overusing water can lead to shortages and affect crop yields.
18. Mining leads to habitat loss and soil degradation.
19. Ecological footprints measure our resource consumption and environmental impact.
20. Climate change can lead to extreme weather and loss of biodiversity.

These questions and answers should help KS3 students understand the basic needs of humans, the importance of natural resources, and their interconnectedness with the Earth’s spheres.