Dec 17 2009
Reflection–Potentially Renewable?
My question is about a term from our first study guide. What does it mean for a resource to be potentially renewable? I left this blank on my study guide too.
5 Responses to “Reflection–Potentially Renewable?”
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A potentially renewable resource is one that is renewable if managed properly. (I think water is an example…correct me if I’m wrong anyone…)
Potentially renewable resources can be replaced relatively quickly through natural processes, but could be exhausted if consumed too rapidly. Some good examples of potentially renewable resources would be trees and crops such as tomatos.
I’m a bit rusty here myself, and I think my study guide answer wasn’t wholly correct. Feel free to correct me, anyone, if you see any errors in my definition.
Potentially renewable resources can be renewed, but they are often not renewable within a human lifetime. However, with management, they can be used for human benefits, but it is important to conserve potentially renewable resources.
I feel like trees is a potentially renewable source, but crops sounds a bit off to me. But I could be wrong.
I found this definition to be blank on my study guide too! So I looked something up online, and here is what I found to be quite helpful, so I hope it can help you (sorry it’s kind of late)…
“What are Potentially Renewable Resources?
A potentially renewable resource can be replenished fairly rapidly (hours to several decades) through natural processes. Examples of such resources include forest trees, grassland grasses, wild animals, fresh lake and stream water, groundwater, fresh air, and fertile soil.”
http://earth2day.tripod.com/resources_txt.shtml
“Potentially, renewable resources can be sustained and harvested indefinitely. However, sustainable use requires that the rate of harvesting does not exceed the rate of renewal of the resource. Most renewable resources are biological and include trees, hunted animals such as fish, waterfowl, and deer, and the products of agriculture. Flowing surface water is an example of a non-biological resource that can potentially be sustainably used for irrigation, to generate hydroelectricity, and as a means of transportation.
Read more: Sustainable Development – Natural Resources http://science.jrank.org/pages/6638/Sustainable-Development-Natural-resources.html#ixzz0a05PONXt“
I drew a spectrum on the board and explained these concepts:
There are also perpetually renewable resources too. These cannot be exhausted by humans in their lifetime (sun, wind).
Potentially renewable resources are only potentially renewable if managed correctly. When they are public (common) then we have the potential for a tragedy of the commons situation.
Non-renewables are not renewable in a human lifetime and therefore exist in finite quantity. You can run-out!
Hope you know examples of each. They are also in the book.