Class: SS 1

Subject: Biology                              Period(s): 3

Duration: 45 minutes

Topic: conservation of natural resources

Subtopic: Reasons for conservation

Subtopic 2: Benefits and methods of conservations

Subtopic 3: Problems associated with conservation

Previous knowledge: Students are familiar with the topic

Objectives: At the end of the period(s) students should be able to:

Period 1:

  1. Define conservation
  2. Give reasons for protection of land and wildlife from destruction

 

PERIOD 2:

  1. State the problems associated with conservation
  2. State why conservation laws must be obeyed.

 

PERIOD 3:

  1. State the methods of conservation of a given resource
  2. Discuss the need to conserve non –renewable resources

References: Essential Biology for Senior Secondary Schools 1-3 by M.C. Michaels pg 341-345.

Modern Biology for senior secondary schools 1-3 page 157 – 162

 

CONTENT

Conservation is the preservation of natural resources from loss, waste or exploitation through rational use and to ensure their continued use or availability and also to preserve the quality of the environment or natural resources.

Natural resources cab be divided into:

  1. Renewable natural resources: These are recoverable e..g water, animal (wildlife) plants, soil, air, and forest
  2. Non renewable natural resources- tehse are resources which cannotbe recovered or replaced once they are exhausted e.g. mineral resources like petroleum, copper, tin, coal etc

 

REASONS FOR CONSERVATION

  1. To prevent our ecosystem destruction
  2. To conserve our forests in order to have continual access to the benefits it holds.
  3. Natural resources (wild life, forest and minerals) provide materials for research purposes.
  4. To preserve scenic sites in our environment
  5. TO prevent extinction of rare and valuable plants and animals
  6. To allow for continued use of natural resources for the benefit of man.

 

BENEFITS AND METHODS OF CONSERVATION

  1. FORESTS
  2. Forests help in checking erosion and controls desert encroachment (desertification)
  3. Forests conservation ensure conservation of forest products such as timber, medicinal herbs, raw materials etc.
  4. Forests help in preservation of natural spaces, habitats and serve as tourism centres
  5. Forests are sources of food supply
  6. Forests provide employment

 

The methods of conservation are as follows;

  1. Afforestation and cutting tree without destroying undergrowth
  2. Creating public awareness about the dangers of fire (Bush burning and forest fire) and on the importance of forest.
  3. Cutting of mature trees only and protecting the youing ones
  4. Establishment of forest reserves
  5. Preventing or combating plant pest and diseases.
  6. Soil

 

Benefits of soil conservation

  1. Ensures sources of water for soil organism and raw materials for industries as well as mineral resources.
  2. Ensure preservation of soil fertility and prevent soil erosion and desertification.
  3. Supports forests and its resources, agricultural activities and wildlife

The methods of soil conservation are:

  1. Planting of grasses and legumes to prevent washing away of the fertile top layers
  2. Practicing better farming practices to prevent erosion, acidity etc
  3. Avoid bush burning and land pollution
  4. Prevention of overgrazing and indiscriminate tree felling which may cause erosion.
  5. Adding manure, by mulching and planting cover crops (e.g. groundnut to promote fertility of the top soil)

 

  1. WILDLIFE

The benefits of wildlife conservation are:

  1. Serve as a source of employment and tourism
  2. Generates government revenue and resrach work for scientists
  3. Ensure continuous source of protein and raw materials for industries
  4. Ensures preservation of natural species
  5. Provides educational knowledge and recitation centre

 

THE METHOD OF CONSERVATION ARE:

  1. Establishment of forest/game reserves and zoological gardens
  2. Prohibition of killing (poaching) and pilfering (stealing) animals
  3. Prohibition of bush burning and deforestation
  4. Creating public awareness on the value of wildlife
  5. Control of hunting to prevent extinction of certain animals

 

  1. WATER

The benefits of water conservation are:

  1. Serve as habitat and therefore as a source of food
  2. Source of water for irrigation and domestic use and industrial
  3. Source of hydroelectric power e.g. kainji dam
  4. For recreational and tourist purposes
  5. Source of employment

 

The methods of conservation are:

  1. Treatment and recycling of used water
  2. Use of storage tank and resrovoirs as well
  3. River damming to allow for more effective water management
  4. Use of water wisely by avoiding unnecessary waste of water
  5. Prevention of water pollution.
  6. Planting of trees and vegetation to promote rainfall and retention of waste.
  7. AIR

The benefits of Air conservation are:

  1. Ensure the sources of oxygen for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
  2. Medium of Agriculture
  3. Serve as habitat for some organisms e.g. birds and insects.
  4. Source of raw materials for industries

 

The methods of conservation are:

  1. Prohibition of poisonous gases into the air
  2. Proper treatment and disposal of sewage and refuse
  3. The air should be protected from pollution

 

  1. Mineral Resources

The benefits of mineral resources conservation are:

  1. Ensures continous sources of energy
  2. Source of raw materials for industries (fuel, timber etc)
  3. Source of common salt for seasoning
  4. Source of foreign exchange and employment.
  5. Some are source of ornamentals or jewellery e.g. gold, silver, bronze

The methods of conservation are :

  1. Prevention of wastages during mining e.g. crude oil
  2. Use of other available resources instead of overdepending on a particular one.
  3. Legislation against indiscriminate mining of mineral resources should be made.
  4. Proper pricing of mineral resources and their products to ensure maximum value is obtained for the products.

 

WAYS OF ENSURING THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

  1. Establishment of games and forest reserves – serves as an abode for rare and endangered plant and animal species, recreational as well as scientific purposes. Game reserves in Nigeria are Yankari game reserve (Bauchi), Borgu reserve (Niger) Shasha River (Ogun), Olokomeji(Oyo), Sakoba hill (Edo), Omo Forest (Ogun and Manu River(Adamawa)

 

  1. Establishment of conservation agencies: Agencies are established to conserve natural resources. Examples of conservation agencies include:
  2. FEPA – Federal Environmental Protection Agencies
  3. SEPA – State Environmental Protection Agencies

iii.      NCF – Nigerian Conservation Foundation

  1. Forest departments
  2. Department of Wildlife Conservation
  3. RBDA- River Basin Development Authorities

vii.     IWC – International Whaling Commission etc

 

  1. Passing conservation laws prohibiting or regulating use of chemicals in fishing, felling of trees, poaching, hunting of endangered species, indiscriminate exploitation of mineral resources etc.
  2. Educating the masses about the benefits of conservation.
  3. Establishment of botanical and zoological gardens

 

  1. Problems encountered or associated with conservation
  2. Limited sources of energy, hence destruction of natural forest for firewood.
  3. Lack of ignorance of populace on the need for conservation
  4. Overgrazing, overfishing, overhunting.
  5. Problem of poaching and pilfering
  6. Pollution of air, land and water and soil erosion
  7. Occurrence of natural disaster e.g. flooding, earthquakes etc
  8. Lack of fund or economic problem
  9. Oil spillage
  10. Adoption of poor farming practices

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Pictures and videos on conservation

TEACHING METHODS PROCEDURES

Step I: Teacher revises the previous topic with the students and introduce the new topic

Step II: Teacher defines conservation and explains the reasons for conservation

Step III: Teacher explains with the aid of instructional aids the benefits and methods of conservation

Step IV: Teacher states the ways of ensuring conservation and the problems associated with conservation.

Step V: Teacher allows students to ask questions and writes notes under content

CLASSROOM (ACTIVITIES)

Period 1: Students discuss the benefits and methods of conservation

Period 2: Students discuss the ways of ensuring conservation and the problems associated with it.

EVALUATION

PERIOD 1:

  1. Define conservation
  2. Mention two reasons for conservation

period 2: List five natural resources that need to be conserved.

SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: Teacher summarizes the topic, marks the students notes and makes corrections where necessary.

ASSIGNMENT(S):

Period 1: Describe how three natural resources can be preserved in details

Period 2: List and explain just two problems associated with conservation.