The world is faced with a variety of environmental problems. No country has escaped pollution and resource depletion. Basic ecological principles are often ignored and sometimes this contributes to ecological disasters. This volume is designed to provide basic information about the quality of the earth's land resources. The visual aids, worksheets, and activity pages are designed to promote investigative and inquiry experiences, and to foster the use of critical thinking skills through the analysis of environmental problems and solutions. An additional feature is the inclusion of a take-home activity. The activity may be done with simple materials or by conducting a survey. The teaching guide provides suggestions for discussion questions to initiate class participation. Extension activities are also suggested. A research activity that can be used to challenge students and an interdisciplinary activity are provided. This guide contains 12 reproducible hand-outs, a teaching guide, and four overhead transparencies. Topics include the use and types of soil, erosion, rock and mineral resources, fossil fuels, forests, renewability of resources, food production, landfills, public lands, roots, weathering, and soil pollution. A review quiz is also included. (CW)