(a)(i) Define the term Environmental Resources, (ii) List two types of Environmental Resources other than water. (b) Highlight four ways in which water is i...

(a)(i) Definition of Environmental Resources

Environmental resources are the natural materials and features of the environment that are of value and can be used by man to satisfy his needs, either directly or after processing. They include living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components supplied by nature.

(a)(ii) Two types of environmental resources other than water:

• Mineral resources (e.g. petroleum, coal, iron ore, gold, limestone).
• Vegetation/forest resources (e.g. timber, medicinal plants). (Also acceptable: soil, wildlife, air, solar energy.)

(b) Four ways water is important as an environmental resource:

• Domestic use for drinking, cooking, washing and general household needs.
• Agriculture for irrigation of crops and for watering livestock.
• Industry and power: water is used for cooling, processing and to generate hydro-electric power.
• Transport, fishing and trade: rivers, lakes and seas provide navigable routes and support fisheries. (Also: recreation and tourism.)

(c) Two problems arising from degradation of water resources:

• Water-borne diseases and health hazards: polluted water spreads cholera, typhoid and dysentery, raising death and sickness rates.
• Scarcity of clean water and loss of aquatic life: pollution and drying up reduce supply for domestic, farm and industrial use and destroy fish and other organisms, threatening livelihoods.