Natural Resources - Definition, Examples, Types of Natural Resources, FAQs
Have you ever thought about where the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat come from? What would happen if all these things suddenly disappeared? Could life on Earth continue? The answer to all these questions lies in this article on natural resources. Natural resources are the substances and materials that we get directly from nature and use to meet our needs for survival, development, and comfort. These include things like air, water, soil, forests, minerals, fossil fuels, sunlight, and wildlife.
This Story also Contains
- Natural Resources
- Classification of Natural Resources
- Classification on the Basis of Abundance and Availability
- Natural Resources Examples
- Management of Natural Resources and the Importance of Natural Resources
- Extraction of Natural Resources
- Some Solved Examples
The term "resource" refers to all of the items in our environment that assist us in meeting our needs and desires. Resources are divided based on their availability into two categories: renewable and non-renewable resources.
Natural Resources
Natural Resources Definition: Natural resources are the entire natural environment that supports human life and contributes to the production of necessities and luxuries. As a result, natural resources make up the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The environment is composed of natural resources. Many natural resources are necessary for human survival, while others are exploited to fulfil human desires. Conservation is the long-term management of natural resources with the purpose of ensuring their long-term viability. Natural resources can be categorised in a variety of ways.
Classification of Natural Resources
Classification Based on Origin
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Biotic – Biotic assets are materials that can be derived from the biosphere (living and organic material), such as wood and animals. Because they are made up of decomposed organic materials, fossil fuels like coal and petroleum fall under this group.
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Abiotic — Quasi, non-organic materials are referred to as abiotic resources. Soil, clean water, air, rare-earth elements, and toxic chemicals, like gold, iron, copper, silver, and other ores, are examples of abiotic resources.
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Classification based on the stage of development:
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Potential resources — Potential resources are those that may be exploited in the future, such as petroleum in sedimentary rocks, which is a potential resource until it is dug out and utilised.
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Actual resources – Those who have been surveyed, evaluated, and verified and are actively being used in development, such as wood processing, and are often technology-dependent.
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Reserve resources are the portion of an actual resource that can be profitably produced in the future.
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Stock resources are those that have been examined but cannot be utilised due to technological limitations—for example, hydrogen.
Classification based on recovery rate:
- Renewable resources: Resources that can be replenished naturally are known as renewable resources. Some of these resources, such as sunlight, air, wind, and water, are always present and their quantities are unaffected by human consumption.
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Although many renewable resources do not regenerate as quickly as others, they are nonetheless vulnerable to overuse and depletion. So long as the rate of replenishment/recovery exceeds the rate of consumption, resources are regarded as renewable in terms of human usage. When compared to non-renewable resources, they are easier to restore.
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Non-renewable resources- Non-renewable materials either take a long time to develop or do not form naturally in the environment. The most common resource featured in this category is minerals. When the pace of consumption exceeds the rate of replenishment/recovery, resources are considered non-renewable from a human perspective; fossil fuels, for example, fall into this category because their rate of production is exceedingly slow. Some resources, such as radioactive elements like uranium, which naturally decay into heavy metals, naturally diminish in quantity without human intervention. Metallic minerals can be reused through recycling, whereas coal and petroleum cannot. They require millions of years to refill once they've been used out.
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Classification on the Basis of Abundance and Availability
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Inexhaustible resources: There are lots of these, and they cannot be depleted by human consumption. For instance, air, sand, clay, and so on. The overpopulation of humanity has an impact on it.
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Exhaustible resources: These are restricted and can be depleted over time, such as coal and petroleum.
Natural Resources Examples
Biotic resources- flora-fauna, microbes.
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Abiotic resources- coal, light, sand.
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Renewable resources – sunlight, air.
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Non-renewable resources- fossil fuels.
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Potential resources- petroleum
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Actual resources- woods.
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Reserve resources- water.
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Stock resources- hydrogen
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Inexhaustible resources- air, sand, and clay.
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Exhaustible resources- coal and petroleum.
Management of Natural Resources and the Importance of Natural Resources
Management of natural resources refers to a system for regulating the use of natural resources in order to reduce waste and make the most efficient use of them. Natural resource management is the science of managing natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants, and animals, with a focus on how management affects current and future generations' quality of life.
As a result, sustainable development is guided by the prudent use of resources to meet the needs of both current and future generations. Natural resource management entails determining who has the right to utilise the resources and who does not, as well as defining the resource's boundaries. Users may manage resources according to rules governing when and how the resource is used based on local conditions or a governmental body or other central authority may manage resources.
Sustainable development is defined as the prudent use of natural resources to meet present fundamental human requirements while also protecting resources for future generations. Sustainable forest management entails intelligent management of forest resources in order to ensure that they are available for future generations
The following are requirements for sustainable natural resource management:
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Because resources are finite, they must be used cautiously.
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A long-term view is required to ensure that these resources will last for future generations rather than being exploited for short-term advantage.
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Equitable resource allocation so that everyone benefits from the development of these technologies, not just a few wealthy and powerful people.
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Examining the environmental damage caused by the extraction or use of these resources,
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Planning for the safe disposal of trash generated during the extraction or use of natural resources.
Extraction of Natural Resources
Any operation that takes resources from nature is referred to as resource extraction. This can range in scale from preindustrial societies' customary use to global industry. Extractive industries, along with agriculture, form the foundation of the economy's primary sector. Raw material is produced via extraction, which is subsequently treated to add value. Hunting, trapping, and mining are examples of extractive industries.
Natural resources can significantly increase a country's wealth; however, a sudden inflow of money brought on by a resource boom can cause social problems such as inflation, which harms other industries ("Dutch disease"), and corruption, which leads to inequality and underdevelopment (the "resource curse").
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Some Solved Examples
Question 1: A renewable exhaustible natural resource is:
Solution:
As discussed in
Over-exploitation -
Humans have always depended on nature for food and shelter, but when ‘need’ turns to ‘greed’, it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources.
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Many species extinctions in the last 500 years (Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon) were due to overexploitation by humans. Presently many marine fish populations around the world are over harvested, endangering the continued existence of some commercially important species.
Over exploitation of some resources (eg. fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, minerals) leads to their extinctions and cannot be easily renewed. But forest is a natural resource that can be renewed.
Option 1)
coal
This solution is incorrect
Option 2)
petroleum
This solution is incorrect
Option 3)
minerals
This solution is incorrect
Option 4)
forest
This solution is correct
Hence, the correct answer is option 4)
Question 2: The main constituent of biogas responsible for its calorific value is:
A) Carbon dioxide
B) Hydrogen
C) Methane
D) Nitrogen
Solution: Biogas contains about 50–70% methane, which is combustible and provides energy.
Hence, the correct answer is option C) Methane
Question 3: Which of the following processes contributes most to the greenhouse effect?
A) Photosynthesis
B) Burning of fossil fuels
C) Carbon fixation
D) Ozone layer formation
Solution: Fossil fuel combustion releases large amounts of $\mathrm{CO}_2$, a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.
Hence, the correct answer is option B) Burning of fossil fuels
Question 4: Which of the following is not a natural resource?
Solution:
- Natural resources occur naturally within an environment that exists relatively undisturbed by humans, in a natural form.
- The wooden house is not a natural resource. It is man-made, that is, it is created by humans for their interest.
- A mango tree, snake and wind are natural resources. They are present in the environment naturally.
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The "tragedy of the anticommons" is a situation where too many people have rights to exclude others from using a resource, leading to underuse of that resource. This is the opposite of the "tragedy of the commons." In natural resource management, it can occur when property rights are overly fragmented or when there are too many stakeholders with veto power over resource use. This can lead to resources being underutilized or development being stalled, potentially hampering both economic growth and effective resource management. Balancing access rights with efficient use is a key challenge in resource governance.
Urbanization typically increases natural resource consumption due to higher population densities and changing lifestyles. Cities require large amounts of energy, water, and raw materials for construction, transportation, and daily living. Urban areas often consume resources from surrounding regions, creating a larger ecological footprint. However, well-planned urban development can also lead to more efficient resource use through economies of scale, shared infrastructure, and innovative technologies, potentially reducing per capita resource consumption compared to rural areas.
The "resource curse," also known as the "paradox of plenty," refers to the phenomenon where countries rich in natural resources, particularly non-renewable resources like minerals and fuels, tend to have less economic growth, worse development outcomes, and more political instability than countries with fewer natural resources. This can occur due to factors like economic over-reliance on a single resource, corruption, conflict over resource control, and neglect of other economic sectors. Understanding and addressing the resource curse is crucial for effective natural resource management and sustainable development.
Technology plays a crucial role in natural resource management by improving efficiency, reducing waste, and enabling better monitoring and decision-making. Remote sensing and GIS technologies help in mapping and monitoring resources. Precision agriculture technologies optimize water and fertilizer use. Renewable energy technologies reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Biotechnology can improve crop yields and resistance. However, technology also presents challenges, such as the resource demands of manufacturing and e-waste. Balancing technological innovation with sustainable practices is key to effective resource management.
International trade significantly influences the distribution and consumption of natural resources globally. It allows countries to access resources not available domestically and can lead to more efficient resource allocation. However, it can also result in the overexploitation of resources in exporting countries and increased consumption in importing countries. Trade policies, such as tariffs or embargoes, can dramatically affect resource flows. Understanding these trade dynamics is crucial for global resource management and addressing issues like resource equity and environmental impacts of resource extraction and transportation.
Property rights systems significantly influence how natural resources are managed and used. Different systems (private, public, common, and open access) create different incentives for resource use and conservation. Private ownership can encourage long-term investment but may also lead to exclusion. Public ownership allows for broader access but can suffer from mismanagement. Common property systems can be effective for local resource management but require strong community institutions. Understanding these systems is crucial for developing effective resource management policies that balance conservation with equitable access and use.
Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in natural resource management by providing time-tested, locally adapted practices for sustainable resource use. This knowledge often includes deep understanding of local ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate patterns. Indigenous management practices can contribute to conservation, sustainable harvesting, and maintaining ecosystem health. Integrating this traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific approaches can lead to more effective and culturally appropriate resource management strategies, particularly in areas with long histories of indigenous stewardship.
Resource nationalism refers to the tendency of countries to assert greater control over their natural resources, often through policies like nationalization, increased taxation, or restrictions on foreign ownership. This can be driven by desires for economic sovereignty, maximizing national benefit from resources, or addressing historical inequities. Resource nationalism can impact global resource management by affecting international investment, trade flows, and resource prices. It highlights the tension between national interests and global resource needs, and the importance of balancing domestic control with international cooperation in resource management.
The energy-water nexus refers to the interdependence between water and energy resources. Energy production often requires significant water resources (e.g., for cooling in power plants or in extracting fossil fuels), while water treatment and distribution require substantial energy. This interconnection means that management decisions in one sector can significantly impact the other. Understanding this nexus is crucial for integrated resource management, especially in the context of climate change and increasing resource scarcity. It highlights the need for coordinated policies and technologies that optimize both water and energy use simultaneously.
Circular economy principles aim to redesign production and consumption systems to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. In natural resource management, this approach focuses on reducing resource extraction, extending product lifespans, and recovering materials through recycling and upcycling. It contrasts with the traditional linear "take-make-dispose" model. Implementing circular economy principles can lead to more sustainable resource use by closing material loops, reducing waste, and decreasing the demand for virgin resources. This approach is becoming increasingly important in addressing resource scarcity and environmental degradation.