Author: Travis D. Park and Tara L. Berescik

Natural Resources Systems introduces students to conservation and natural resources management. Topics include an overview of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources, environmental cycles, endangered animals and plants, invasive species, and the challenges of achieving sustainability. It provides students with a basic introduction to many areas included in natural resources studies, including soil, air, water, endangered species, fisheries, game management, and cartography. The text also features personalized CareerConnections about people involved in many different fields of conservation and resource management.

Table of Contents

Abbreviated Contents

Natural Resources Systems 2e, Online Textbook

• Natural Resources Systems
• Copyright © 2025 by The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.
• Preface
• About the Authors
• Reviewers
• Acknowledgments
• Tools for Student and Instructor Success
• • Student Tools
  • Instructor Tools
• Credentialing Partners and Support
• • NOCTI Certifications
  • YouScience ® Industry Certifications
• Guided Tour
• Brief Contents
• Contents
• Feature Contents
• • Career Connection
  • History Connection
  • STEM Connection
  • Environmental Features
  • Additional Features
• Chapter 1 Introduction to Natural Resources
• • Chapter 1 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 1 Key Terms
  • Chapter 1 Introduction
  • Renewable or Nonrenewable?
  • Nonrenewable Natural Resources
  • Biotic and Abiotic Natural Resources
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Conservation and Preservation
  • Why Are Natural Resources Important?
  • Chapter 1 Summary
  • Chapter 1 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 2 Career Planning
• • Chapter 2 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 2 Key Terms
  • Chapter 2 Introduction
  • What Is a Career?
  • Contributing to Your Career Success
  • Setting Goals
  • Applying for a Position
  • The Job Interview
  • Succeeding in the Workplace
  • Communication Skills
  • Ethical Workplace Behavior
  • Leaving a Job
  • Chapter 2 Summary
  • Chapter 2 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 3 Historical Perspectives of Natural Resources and Conservation
• • Chapter 3 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 3 Key Terms
  • Chapter 3 Introduction
  • Historical Events and Natural Resources
  • Natural Resources Disasters
  • Conservationists and Preservationists
  • Legislation and Natural Resources
  • Government Agencies
  • Advocacy Organizations
  • Chapter 3 Summary
  • Chapter 3 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 4 Ecology and Earth
• • Chapter 4 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 4 Key Terms
  • Chapter 4 Introduction
  • Ecosystems
  • Biogeochemical Cycles
  • Biomes and Ecoregions
  • Major Ecoregions in the United States
  • Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems
  • Chapter 4 Summary
  • Chapter 4 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 5 Sustainability in the Environment
• • Chapter 5 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 5 Key Terms
  • Chapter 5 Introduction
  • Sustainability
  • Three Pillars of Sustainability
  • Perceptions of the Environment over Time
  • Harvesting and Sustained Yields
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Waste Management
  • Measuring Sustainability
  • Making a Difference
  • Chapter 5 Summary
  • Chapter 5 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 6 Habitat Destruction
• • Chapter 6 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 6 Key Terms
  • Chapter 6 Introduction
  • Determining Habitat Health
  • Natural Cycle of Habitat Disturbances
  • Habitat Destruction Caused by Humans
  • Habitat Fragmentation
  • Habitat Degradation
  • Chapter 6 Summary
  • Chapter 6 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 7 Global Environmental Issues
• • Chapter 7 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 7 Key Terms
  • Chapter 7 Introduction
  • Land Use
  • Water Use
  • Power Production and Regulation
  • Social Pressures
  • Economic Value of Resources
  • Pollution
  • Green Technology
  • Ecological Footprint
  • Chapter 7 Summary
  • Chapter 7 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 8 Population Dynamics
• • Chapter 8 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 8 Key Terms
  • Chapter 8 Introduction
  • Staples of Life
  • Space
  • Describing Populations
  • Population Ecology
  • Population Dispersion
  • Population Density
  • Growth of Human Population
  • Chapter 8 Summary
  • Chapter 8 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 9 What Is Soil?
• • Chapter 9 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 9 Key Terms
  • Chapter 9 Introduction
  • Soil Functions
  • Soil Components
  • Soil Formation
  • Soil Profiles and Horizons
  • Physical Properties of Soil
  • Soil Water Movement
  • Soil Chemistry
  • Soil Classification
  • Land Capability Classification (LCC)
  • Chapter 9 Summary
  • Chapter 9 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 10 Soil Erosion, Leaching, and Pollution
• • Chapter 10 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 10 Key Terms
  • Chapter 10 Introduction
  • Soil Degradation
  • Soil Compaction
  • Soil Erosion
  • Shoreline, Channel, and Streambank Soil Erosion
  • Factors That Contribute to Soil Erosion
  • Leaching
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Chapter 10 Summary
  • Chapter 10 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 11 Controlling Soil Erosion
• • Chapter 11 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 11 Key Terms
  • Chapter 11 Introduction
  • Land Use Classification
  • Tillage Systems
  • Conservation Buffers
  • Structural Conservation Practices
  • Chapter 11 Summary
  • Chapter 11 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 12 Mining of Natural Resources
• • Chapter 12 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 12 Key Terms
  • Chapter 12 Introduction
  • Types of Mining
  • Natural Resources Mined in the United States
  • Energy Sources Mined in the United States
  • The Impacts of Mining on the Environment
  • Reclamation of Mined Areas
  • Chapter 12 Summary
  • Chapter 12 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 13 Water Supply
• • Chapter 13 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 13 Key Terms
  • Chapter 13 Introduction
  • Hydrologic Cycle
  • Locations of Water
  • Water Rights
  • Chapter 13 Summary
  • Chapter 13 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 14 Water Quality
• • Chapter 14 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 14 Key Terms
  • Chapter 14 Introduction
  • Water Chemistry
  • Water Use
  • Water Pollution
  • Chapter 14 Summary
  • Chapter 14 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 15 Wetlands
• • Chapter 15 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 15 Key Terms
  • Chapter 15 Introduction
  • Roles of Wetlands
  • Wetland Soils
  • Wetland Classifications
  • Marine Wetlands
  • Freshwater Wetlands
  • Wetland Conservation and Management
  • Wetland Rehabilitation and Restoration
  • Chapter 15 Summary
  • Chapter 15 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 16 Weather and Climate
• • Chapter 16 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 16 Key Terms
  • Chapter 16 Introduction
  • Earth’s Atmosphere
  • Atmospheric Changes
  • Weather Patterns
  • Chapter 16 Summary
  • Chapter 16 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 17 Air Quality
• • Chapter 17 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 17 Key Terms
  • Chapter 17 Introduction
  • Air Chemistry
  • Types of Air Pollution
  • Airsheds
  • Measuring Air Quality
  • Focusing on Solutions
  • Chapter 17 Summary
  • Chapter 17 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 18 Interactions
• • Chapter 18 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 18 Key Terms
  • Chapter 18 Introduction
  • Ecological Communities
  • Food Webs and Energy Transfer
  • Keystone Species
  • Invasive Species
  • Chapter 18 Summary
  • Chapter 18 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 19 Endangered Species
• • Chapter 19 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 19 Key Terms
  • Chapter 19 Introduction
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature
  • The US Federal Lists of Endangered Species
  • Why Do Species Become Extinct?
  • Wildlife Data Collection
  • Recover and Restore Efforts
  • Chapter 19 Summary
  • Chapter 19 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 20 Fisheries
• • Chapter 20 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 20 Key Terms
  • Chapter 20 Introduction
  • What Are Fisheries?
  • History of Fisheries
  • Types of Fishing
  • Fisheries and the Economy
  • Threats to Fisheries
  • Fisheries Management
  • Freshwater Finfish Species
  • Commercial Marine Finfish Species
  • Commercial Crustaceans and Mollusks
  • Chapter 20 Summary
  • Chapter 20 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 21 Game Species
• • Chapter 21 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 21 Key Terms
  • Chapter 21 Introduction
  • Game Hunting and the Economy
  • Game Species Management
  • Game Species
  • Harvesting Methods
  • Avoiding Accidents and Injuries
  • Game Animal Diseases
  • Hunter Ethics
  • Chapter 21 Summary
  • Chapter 21 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 22 Forests
• • Chapter 22 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 22 Key Terms
  • Chapter 22 Introduction
  • Types of Forests
  • Healthy Forest Ecosystems
  • Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forests
  • Photosynthesis and Respiration in Forests
  • Most Common Tree Species in the United States
  • Other Important Tree Species
  • Non-Tree Forest Plants
  • Forest Products
  • Chapter 22 Summary
  • Chapter 22 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 23 Forest Succession and Management
• • Chapter 23 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 23 Key Terms
  • Chapter 23 Introduction
  • Succession
  • Sustainable Forest Management
  • Woodlots
  • Chapter 23 Summary
  • Chapter 23 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 24 Threats to Forests
• • Chapter 24 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 24 Key Terms
  • Chapter 24 Introduction
  • Forest Diseases
  • Forest Insect Pests
  • Invasive Plant Pests
  • Abiotic Threats
  • Chapter 24 Summary
  • Chapter 24 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 25 Grasslands and Rangelands
• • Chapter 25 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 25 Key Terms
  • Chapter 25 Introduction
  • Types of Grasslands
  • Important Grassland Plant Species
  • Healthy Grasslands and Rangelands
  • Management of Grasslands and Rangelands
  • Threats to Grasslands
  • Chapter 25 Summary
  • Chapter 25 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 26 Outdoor Recreation
• • Chapter 26 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 26 Key Terms
  • Chapter 26 Introduction
  • Why People Engage in Outdoor Recreation
  • Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation
  • Responsible Engagement and Safety
  • Survival Skills and Supplies
  • Sustainability and Outdoor Recreation
  • Chapter 26 Summary
  • Chapter 26 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 27 National Protected Areas
• • Chapter 27 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 27 Key Terms
  • Chapter 27 Introduction
  • National Protected Areas
  • Conservation Movement
  • Other Protected Areas
  • Chapter 27 Summary
  • Chapter 27 Review and Assessment
• Chapter 28 Surveying and Cartography
• • Chapter 28 Learning Outcomes
  • Chapter 28 Key Terms
  • Chapter 28 Introduction
  • Land Measurement
  • Global Positioning System
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Cartography
  • Topographic Maps
  • USGS Topographical Maps
  • Compasses
  • Chapter 28 Summary
  • Chapter 28 Review and Assessment
• Illustrated Glossary
• Appendix Student Organizations and SAEs
• • Agricultural Education
  • The National FFA Organization
  • Opportunities in FFA
  • SAEs and Agricultural Education
  • Types of SAE Projects
• Glossary
• • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Z
• Index
• • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
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  • K
  • L
  • M
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