World conservation is the management, protection, and wise use of natural resources. Natural resources include all the things that help support life, such as soil, and minerals. Animals and plants are also natural resources. The earth has limited natural resources which increases as the standard of living rises. Without conservation, most the Earth's resources would disappear. Water is always an inexhaustible resource because the earth will always have the same amount of water. Water supplies vary from one area to another, so some areas have shortages of clean, fresh water.

Resources that can be used and replaced are called RENEWABLE resources. Most renewable resources can't be stored for future use. Resources that cannot be replaced are called NONRENEWABLE resources. This means that once we use these resources up, we will never be able to replace them, some resources we have already used up completely.

Conservation is important to many people for a variety reasons. For instance, some farmers may practice conservation to prevent erosion and to maintain the quality of the soil. Nature lovers appreciate the beauty and other aspects of a variety of wildlife and landscapes. City dwellers are mainly concerned about air pollution, adequate parks, and decomposing neighborhoods. Business executives promote conservation to help insure the minerals and other resources on which their industry depends.

Conservation is important to everyone for two basic reasons: (1) to meet the demands of natural resources and (2) to maintain the quality of life. The demand for natural resources has steadily increased as a result of the growth of the world population and the rise in the standards of living in many countries. While the demand for resources has increased, the supply has not, and some resources are being used up rapidly.

To maintain the quality of life. Conservationists use the term quality of life to refer to the health of the environment. Such factors as clean air and water, uncluttered living areas, and unspoiled scenic lands contribute to the quality of life.

There are many endangered species. Endangered species are living things threatened with extinction, that is, the dying off of all individuals of their kind. Thousands of species of animals and plants are endangered, and the number increases each year. Endangered animals include Blue Whales, some kinds of Crocodiles, Orangutans, Rhinoceroses, Snow Leopards, Tigers, Whooping Cranes, and our favorite --- MANATEES.

Some of the endangered plants include Running Buffalo Clover, Santa Cruz Cypress, Snakeroot, and many species of cactuses.

We can do something to prevent this factor. For instance, you can Adopt A Manatee, and REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE !

There are many different ecosystems, that includes many different species of animals and plants. Some ecosystems include: RAINFOREST, grasslands, tundra, marine, mountainous, and forest.

Don't forget... EARTH DAY is coming up very soon!! Participate and do YOUR part in saving the precious environment we live in! Thank you!!

World Book Encyclopedia copyright 1992 World Book, Inc. vol.3

Whales & Dolphins CD Rom REMedia Inc.

Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Grolier Inc., 1993 Linda McDonald, Jennifer Herman, and Paige Clark
dmuser4@aquarius.cc.ucf.edu (Discovery Middle School)