Canadian Geography 1202

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Canadian Geography 1202
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Natural Resources for the Future

• Canadas landscape provides what humans need
• environment for leisure / recreation (aesthetic)
• raw materials
• jobs associated with extracting resources
  selling goods.
• A healthy economy prosperous lifestyle depend
  on
• 1. strong natural resource base
• 2. skilled workers
• 3. favourable world trade and strong export
  markets
• 4. innovation ingenuity

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Natural Resources - anything found in nature that
people can use (figure 6.2)Renewable Resources
can be replaced naturally Non-renewable
Resources exists in finite amounts or replaces
itself slowlyFlow Resources used and replaced
simultaneouslySustainable resource system to
last into the future can either renew or
recycle itself before being used, or be replaced
with other resources.Resource consumption on a
Global Scale wealthy, industrialised countries
20 pop. consumes 80 resources.
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An Economic Perspective - Money in the
BankExports - sale of products or services to
another country
Gross Domestic Product value of
all goods services produced in a country.
Natural resources 13 of GDPEnergy
contributes more than ever before to the Canadian
economy. However, since oil natural gas are
non-renewable, Canadians seek efficient
technology to ensure sustainability.
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The Big Players Transnational
CorporationsLarge companies with businesses in
several countries. Ex. Vale, an iron ore
nickel producer based in Brazil, operates
Voiseys Bay, Lab., processing facilities in Long
Harbour, and other mines in Canada.Sustainable
Development of ResourcesRenewable resources must
be regenerated faster than theyre consumed. 3
factors to consider- maintaining a strong
economy- the needs of people in their
communities- protecting the natural
environmentAcross Canada, new resource
development projects are required to undergo an
environmental assessment process to determine
their potential environmental impact.
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Agriculture An Essential Primary Industry-
1.7 of Canadas GDP- jobs for 1/86 Canadians-
safe abundant food supply- uses other natural
resources (ex. Water, fossil fuels)Arable land
land suitable for growing crops 7 of Canadas
land is arable.Factors affecting
agriculture- climate - closeness to market-
landforms - competition from farmers-
soil - world market prices- consumer
demands - ethics (moral principals)- available
transportation
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Challenges farmers face- natural hazards (ex.
Drought)- animal diseases (ex. Mad cow / avian
flu)- ? cost of fuel equipment- ? crop
prices- competition from international
subsidized farmers- competition from
factory-farmssubsidy given by govt. to
offset the cost of production.Trends in
AgricultureMarket trends changing consumer
demands pressure farmers. Ex. Egg producers
provide eggs rich in Omega-3 or eggs from
free-range chickens.
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Changing Technology During the 1960s 70s,
developments in machinery, chemicals and seeds
increased food production doubling the food
supply since 1950. - However, some technology
such as pesticides, has negative impact on the
environment and health. Public concerns have
brought about the ban of some toxic pesticides
and reduced use.Moving Away from the Farm-
Improved technology bigger but fewer farms,
fewer farmers farm workers, thus, migration
from rural to urban areas. This urban growth
eventually takes over surrounding farmland.
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The Food System Canadian agriculture is an
agribusiness industry large-scale farming
that carries out all steps involved in producing
food growing, storing, processing, transporting.
Often, just one company, a transnational
corporation, is involved in all aspects. This
can be negative for farmers grocery stores who
receive only a small profit.Factory Farms
Large-scale forms of agriculture where large
numbers of animals are kept in confined spaces
treated with hormones antibiotics to maximize
growth prevent disease. A move away from
small family farms due to the trend towards an
increasing availability of processed food.
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Those against factory farms look to sustainable
agriculture as a responsible alternative as it-
is profitable- protects the environment (ex.
Organic agriculture)- conserves natural
resources- supports rural community- will last
into the future
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Declining Fish Stocks- 1992 cod moratorium
announced by the federal govt. for NL.- NL
fishery still employs more than 20,000 people has
increased in value from 2009 to 2010.- East
West Coast wild salmon have also been
disappearing.Reactions- Fishing other species
in deeper waters.- Fish farming or
aquaculture.- People moving to urban areas for
work.
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Background on Canadas Fisheries- Continental
shelf outer edge of the continent that extends
below the surface of the ocean. Best Fishing
areas or Fishing Banks are in these warm shallow
waters.- Grand Banks largest one of the most
productive fishing banks in the world. In this
area, the nutrient-rich water is stirred-up by
the cold Labrador current meeting the warm Gulf
Stream. Sunlight penetrates the shallow water
and supports the growth of plankton which fish
eat.Groundfish live on the ocean floor caught
by trawlers.Pelagic fish swim in open water
caught by long-liners using purse
seines.Shellfish found along the ocean bottom
and caught in traps or weirs.
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Reasons for Declining Stocks (figure
6.29)Changing Technology technology such as
radar GPS aid fishers to find fish.Trawlers
stay at sea for weeks - process freeze fish
on board - catch up to 30 tons per net 600
tons per day - 25, 000 worldwide 1000
registered Canadian - nets take other species
destroy prime fishing habitatOverfishing
catching too many fish puts stocks at risk.
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Bycatch nets accidentally catch small fish
reducing the ability of fish stocks to reproduce
recover because its dumped. - waste equals 80
of total catch in some fisheries.Quota System
quota is the amount of a species of fish that one
boat or group of fishers can catch per year. -
issued by the fed. Govt. - after cod
moratorium, licenses quotas were issued for
lobster or snow crab.Aquaculture - fish
farming breeding growing of fish in controlled
spaces.Advantages food rich in omega 3 fats,
good source of protein, economically
viable.Disadvantages high levels of antibiotics
toxic chemicals, threat to wild salmon stock
natural systems.
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Resolving the Fisheries Crisis Whats Needed?-
Involvement of fed. prov. govts.- Reduced fish
quotas- Time to rebuild- Marine environment
must be considered- Continued research-
Involvement of all stakeholdersSustainable
Fisheries- Choose fish species from rebounding
stocks (ex. Atlantic snow crab) or that are
caught in ways protective of fish habitat (ex.
haddock Pacific halibut caught by hook
line).- Organizations to follow encourage
sustainable fisheries (ex. Marine Stewardship
Council Audubon Society).
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Digging for mineralsCanada Potash capital of
the world- We produce more than any other
country 95 in Sask.- Potash is 2nd to diamonds
in its contribution to our non-metallic minerals
production.- Rich in potassium use to make
fertilizer, soap, animal food, medicines and
water softener.Hunting for treasure Finding
the Minerals- ore bodies rocks with enough of
a mineral to be worthwhile mining located using
high-tech computer satellite technology.
Magnetometers find metallic minerals. However,
traditional methods must still be used study
maps air photos collect maps soil samples
examine rock cores to determine mineral amounts.
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- Open pits for ore bodies close to the
surface.- Shafts tunnels for ore bodies deep
underground.- knowledge of geography is helpful
metallic minerals are found in igneous rock of
the Canadian Shield fossil fuels (coal, oil,
natural gas) are found in sedimentary rock of
western Atlantic Canada.- the potential
economic value of the ore an environmental
assessment process determine the probability of a
mine.Mining Towns the Economy- raw materials
for manufacturing high-tech industries.-
single-industry towns (ex. Logan Lake, B.C.).-
must diversify its economy as protection when the
ore is no longer plentiful or profitable.- 80
of total Can. value found in Ont., Sask., B.C.,
Que.- represents 8.6 of NLs total GDP.-
Nunavut (Canadian Shield rock) has potential for
gold, base metals and diamond mines.
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Global Connections- 1st in uranium production.-
1 out of top 5 in production of gold, aluminum,
zinc, platinum salt.- 5th in diamond
production.- about 80 billion a year for
Canada.- more than 300,000 jobs in Canada.The
Mineral Trade-In 2010, we exported 85 billion
worth of minerals primary metals.- In 2010,
our mineral imports totaled 67 billion.-
Difference between imports exports balance of
trade
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A Balancing Act Minings Impact on Natural
Systems- Uses much energy (fossil fuels
electricity) that affect air water quality,
contribute to green house gas emissions.-
Sometimes mining companies help to re-establish
wildlife habitat or to develop recreational
areas.- Govts. enforce environmental laws
ensure the restoration of affected landscapes
ecosystems.- We must all waste less, reduce use
of mineral products, and recycle mineral-based
products.
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Acid Rain- includes rain fog.- highly acidic
threatens ecosystems.- problem in Atlantic
Canada as its water soil systems lack natural
alkalinity cannot neutralize acid.- caused by
burning of coal or oil in electrical generating
plants the burning of gasoline in vehicles.-
biggest producers refining smelting
industries- kills coniferous trees.- water
soils in Canadas north are sensitive.- a lake
with a minimum pH level of 5.0 is considered dead
, from which fish or water shouldnt be
consumed.- between 1991 and now, emissions
causing acid rain have been cut in half (ex. Inco
Ltd. In Sudbury, p.283).
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Canada A Country of Forests- 397.3 million
hectares covering ½ of Canadas land mass.-
almost 57 is commercial forest (ex. Timber).-
cover 90 of the Atlantic Maritime ecozone.-
Boreal forest, Canadas largest forest region, is
part of the largest ecosystem on Earth.Canadas
Forests Complex Natural Systems- continual
change through a cycle of growth, death
renewal.- interact with other natural systems
(climate, water, soil).Economic Values- 300
communities in Canada depend on forestry.-
195,000 people directly employed.- 5500 people
work in forestry industries in NL.- exports of
forest products 24 billion per year.
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Ecological Values- reduce soil erosion, recycle
water, control water flow.- produce oxygen
absorb carbon dioxide (carbon sinks).- contain a
rich diversity of species.- urban forests help
create cleaner air water for 80 of Canadians
living in towns cities.Cultural and Social
Values- they are aesthetically pleasing.- they
provide traditional food, medicines, materials
for Aboriginal peoples.Who Owns Canadas
Forests?-94 of Canadian forests are publically
owned.- Exceptions 90 P.E.I., 68 N.S., 50
N.B. are privately owned.
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Forest Harvesting Methods1. Clear-cutting2.
Strip Logging 3. Shelterwood Cutting4.
Selection CuttingForests For The FutureA
sustainable forest management plan is required a
plan of long-term goals for an area to be logged
required by law in Ontario.Model forests an
approach to sustainable management of small areas
of local forest that involves input from all
stakeholders who work together as a team.