JSS1: Environmental conservation and safety

The sun is the primary source of energy used by living things on Earth. The sun gives out a large amount of energy called radiant energy. The part of the earth in which living things live is called the biosphere.

            Conservation of energy 

Conservation of energy means careful use of energy. In nature, organisms feed on one another to obtain energy to carry out their activities. Energy is conserved in nature through the food chain.

                        Food chain 

The food chain is the linear feeding relationship among animals. Example:

1. Grass → grasshopper →rat →snake 

2. Grass →goat →lion 

3. Grass → grasshopper → frog → hawk 

4. Grass→ cow  → man  → maggot 

Conservation of wildlife 

Wildlife are the animals and plants that grow independently under natural conditions.

              Uses of wildlife to man 

1. Wild plants cover the soil thereby preventing erosion 

2. Wild plant provides firewood 

3. Wild animals provide meat for man 

4. Some wild plants are used for producing useful medicine 

5. Wild plant provides timber 

6. Wild plant provides edible fruits and vegetables.

          Wildlife reserves in Nigeria 

Some of the wildlife reserves include:

1. Sambisa game reserve 

2. Old Oyo National Park 

3. Yankari game reserve 

4. Kainji National Park

5. Chad Basin National Park 

                     Water cycle 

The water cycle describes how water evaporates from the surface of the earth, rises into the atmosphere, cools and condenses into rain or snow in clouds, and falls again to the surface as precipitation. 

                           Water cycle 

Processes involved in the water cycle

1. Transpiration 

Transpiration is the evaporation of water from plants to the atmosphere

2. Perspiration 

Perspiration is the evaporation of water from the skin of animals to the atmosphere

3. Percolation 

Percolation is the downward movement of water through the soil and rock due to gravity.

4. Precipitation 

Precipitation is the water released from clouds in the form of rain or snow.

5. Condensation 

Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air becomes liquid 

                           Nitrogen cycle 

Nitrogen is extremely important for plant growth and photosynthesis. It is a major component of chlorophyll.

A deficiency or excess of nitrogen often affects crop quality.

The nitrogen Cycle is a process through which nitrogen is converted into many forms, from the atmosphere to the soil to organisms and back into the atmosphere.

                Atmospheric nitrogen 

Nitrogen in the atmosphere can be converted into the soil through two ways:

1. Lightning

2. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria e.g Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter 

                       Carbon cycle 

The carbon cycle is the path along which carbon passes from living things to non-living things and back to living things in nature.

                            Carbon cycle

1. Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants manufacture their food by using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

2. Respiration 

Respiration is the intake of oxygen to break down food materials to release energy and carbon dioxide.

3. Fossils 

Fossils are the remains of plants and animals in the soil and water bodies.

Examples of fossils include shells, bones, exoskeletons, wood, hair etc

4. Fossil fuel 

Fossil fuels are the non-renewable energy sources from the remains of plants and animals in the soil and water bodies. Examples of fossil fuels are coal, natural gas, and crude oil.