RESOURCES

Resource – anything which can be used (by man) for a purpose or for
development.
Natural Resource – the physical (natural) environment that can be used for a
purpose. Example: the land, rivers mineral deposits (bauxite).
Human Resource – this is anything created or altered by man which can be used
for a purpose. This also includes humans themselves providing skilled
or unskilled labour. Example: human workforce and machinery.
Renewable Resource – any natural resource which, at its current rate of
consumption, can be replenished by nature in such a time that it can
be used by man again. Example: Sunlight and Wind.
Non-renewable Resource – any natural resource which, at its current rate of
consumption, cannot be replenished by nature in such a time that it
can be used by man again. Example: Petroleum and Bauxite.
Conservation - the sustainable use of a resource, meaning, it is used in such a way
that its productive capacity is not reduced. This ensures use by future
generations.
 FORESTS
Forest – a large biological community dominated by trees.

Why are forests important?

(1) Trees/vegetation provide oxygen – basic necessity of fauna.
(2) Reduces Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere - CO2 is a greenhouse gas,
contributing to global warming. Trees absorb CO2 thereby helping to reduce
the “Greenhouse Effect”.
(3) A source of raw materials
- lumber for construction/making furniture
- wood for making charcoal
- pulp for making paper
- tree sap for making latex
(4) Helps reduce erosion -

Mangrove forests especially, are very important in protecting coastal areas from
erosion by the sea/ocean.
(5) Helps reduce flooding – trees help reduce erosion which reduces
sedimentation of streams. Trees also reduce overland flow by absorbing some
of the water as well as slowing down the movement of water, thereby
increasing the amount of water entering the soil.
(6) Provide Habitat for animals – forests are homes for thousands of animals
including birds, reptiles arachnids, insects and caterpillars.
(7) Helps to maintain the water table – by allowing water to enter the soil, more
water reaches the water table, increasing the level of underground water.
(8) Medicinal value – some plants/herbs from forests are used in the manufacture
of medicine.
(9) Provides food – forests provide food directly in the form of fruits and roots.
Indirectly, hunting often takes place in forests where many animals live.
(10) Acts as windbreak – trees slow down strong winds, providing protection for
farms especially – by reducing erosion and protecting crops easily damaged
by the wind.
(11) Provides fuel – firewood from trees (also charcoal) is used for cooking,
keeping warm and providing light in the dark.
(12) Source of income – through forestry, manufacturing and ecotourism.
Raw materials as well as manufactured products from forests are sometimes
exported, thus earning foreign exchange and contributing to a country’s GDP.
This assists to reduce imports as materials/products are available locally.
(13) Recreation – forest are also venues for leisure activities such as hiking,
camping and bird watching.
Threats to forests
(1) Deforestation – cutting down of trees due to
- agriculture (Brazil – Sugarcane, Cattle farming)
- mining/quarrying (Bauxite – Guyana/ Quarrying –
Trinidad)
- construction – “urban sprawl” - houses/commercial
buildings/factories/roads
- forestry (for raw materials) (illegal forestry makes control
and conservation difficult)
(2) Droughts – periods of low rainfall can cause destruction of vegetation.
Droughts also foster spread of uncontrollable forest fires.
(3) Forest fires – raging forest fires cause tremendous damage – destroying most
flora and fauna. After a forest has been destroyed by a forest fire,
a “secondary forest” grows to take its place, displaying different
types of vegetation and forest structure.
Causes – Human Activity – Arson
- Discarded cigarettes (lighting)
- Unattended campfires
- Burning of garbage/debris
(including “slash and burn” farming)
Natural – Lightning
- Volcanic eruption
(4) Pollution – acid rain resulting from industrial pollutants in the atmosphere
can stunt growth and destroy vegetation. In smaller instances the
dumping of toxic waste in forests can damage vegetation and
wildlife.
(5) Pest/insect outbreaks – for example bark beetles feeding on spruce and pine
trees in the USA cause damage to the trees affected.
(6) Natural Disasters -
Hurricanes – strong winds from hurricanes can break, uproot and
flatten vegetation (Ivan – Grenada – 2005)
Volcanic eruption – volcanoes can cause forest fires through
eruption of hot lava. Ash, cinders and dust ejected by
volcanoes weighs on leaves and branches causing
them to break. Pore spaces also become clogged,
therefore preventing transpiration. Higher acidity
level of soil can destroy vegetation (in the short
term). (Soufriere – St. Vincent – 2021).
Why do we need to protect our forests?
Forests are being removed at a faster rate than which they are growing back.
Increasing demand for housing, food, energy and manufactured products as well
as desire for large profits, have all contributed towards deforestation at a rate
greater than which it is being replenished. For this reason our forests must be
protected from overuse/abuse. Conservation measures can be put in place so that
we can use our forests sustainably.

Measures to reduce problems of forests

(1) Laws and enforcement with heavy penalties -
- there are already laws in Trinidad against littering and starting outdoor
fires without a permit during the dry season.
- mandatory planting back of trees (re-afforestation) where they have
been removed (for lumber/pulp/quarrying/mining)
- regulations on factory and vehicular emissions can help to reduce
pollution and acid rain.
- strong fines for illegal dumping of industrial waste
- restrictions on trees which can be cut – limits to age, size and types of
trees. In Trinidad permission has to be granted by our forestry
department before any tree can be cut (however this has more been
enforced in commercial ventures than on private).
(2) Afforestation and re-afforestation programs
Afforestation (planting of trees where they did not previously exist) can
help reduce carbon dioxide, erosion and flooding while contributing to our
oxygen supply and groundwater reserves. Re-afforestation (replanting of trees
where they have been removed) does the same as afforestation and reduces
the problems caused by deforestation and forest fires.
(3) Pests have usually been treated with by chemical pesticides or introduction of
other species that feed on the pest.
(4) Practice “conservation”. This refers to the sustainable use of a resource (in
this case, forests), meaning, it is used in such a way that the productive
capacity is not reduced. This ensures use by future generations.
By proper management of activities – responsible felling of trees and
timely re-afforestation, forests can be sustained while being used.
By conservation of electricity and consumer items, we can reduce
manufacturing (of electricity and consumer goods), reducing pollution from
manufacturing and deforestation for raw materials.
(5) Forests can be protected by law, preventing deforestation in restricted areas.
This can be done through creation of National Parks and Forest Reserves.