Soil, Energy, and Biodiversity: Resources and Conservation

The Transformation of Soil

Soil is a nonrenewable resource that is essential not only for survival but for the life of people. Major threats affecting the soil are erosion, loss of organic matter, contamination, salinization, compaction, loss of biodiversity, landslides, and inundations, which may become irreversible. The transformation of the ground, compared to other resources, has been uneven across the planet. It has become 10 times faster than in the past.

Mineral Resources as a Source of Energy

These resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, have a renewal time that is useless for our purposes, so reserves will eventually be depleted. Many resources have formed from the incomplete decomposition of organic matter within the earth. The remains, rich in organic molecules, are degraded into a complex hydrocarbon. The simpler molecules are derived from organic matter. Burning of organic mineral resources, called fossil fuels, produces carbon oxides, which contributes to increased CO2 and the greenhouse effect. The most important types of holdings include energy products, metal ores, non-metallic minerals, and quarries.

Fossil Fuels: Coal

It is the most abundant fossil fuel and has been used since the 18th century. Today, its consumption has been reduced because of the increased greenhouse effect.

Oil

Oil is the most widely used fuel and provides about 40% of global energy production. It was formed from marine microorganisms that accumulated in the seabed.

Natural Gas

Natural gas consists of a mixture of gases that vary with the type of site. It can be isolated or found in deposits along with oil.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the set of all hereditary variations that exist on the planet, at the genetic level, from individuals, populations, species, communities, and ecosystems.

Importance of Biodiversity

It is essential for emerging new combinations of genes and new species in the future. Through this mechanism, the evolution of living beings has been carried out. Biodiversity contributes to:

• Purifying air and water
• Keeping the soil more fertile
• Pest control
• Contributing to climate stability and the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• Providing food and medicines
• Pollinating crops

Causes of Biodiversity Loss

Habitat alteration, introduction of invasive species, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development emerged in the field of socio-economic development. It is defined in the Brundtland Report as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.