Discussion Outline for Virginia Natural Resources

 

Definition: A natural resource is something that comes from nature that is useful to man.

• What are some kinds of natural resources?
  
  

  Water resources

Animals and plants, both domestic and wild

Minerals, rocks, ores

Energy sources (wind, water, and fossil fuels)

Forests, soils and land

 

• Forests are renewable- a resource that can be replenished or renewed.
  
  

  Renewable vs. Nonrenewable

Fossil fuels- nonrenewable

Trees, water, sun- renewable

 

• Virginia’s forests
  

  Virginia is predominantly broad-leaved deciduous forest (oaks, hickory, some pine)

Most pine is located on the coastal plain

Pines are planted because of a need for pine fiber.

 

• Importance of trees/forests
  
  

  Air- photosynthesis

Habitat for plants and animals

Forest products sequester carbon

Forest products use less energy to produce than alternative materials like concrete, aluminum and steel.

 

• Major Virginia forest products
  
  

  Hardwood lumber

Softwood lumber

Veneer

Furniture and furniture parts

Cabinets, countertops, doors, windows and stairs

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Plywood

Cardboard boxes (linerboard, corrugated medium)

Newsprint (newspaper)

Paperboard (food containers, juice cartons, baseball and greeting cards)

Fine paper and envelopes

Fragrances (soaps, detergents, perfumes)

Poles, posts

Pallets

Railroad ties, mining timbers