Natural Resource - Introduction
Resource is a commodity that occurs naturally in our environment. It is required to meet our needs. Air, water, sunlight, animals, fossil fuels, rock, minerals, forestry, soil etc. are examples of natural resources.
We use natural resources for our needs. Money and labour are needed to use these resources. Every man-made product is made of natural resources. Mining, petroleum extraction, fishing, hunting etc. are some examples of natural resource industries. Some resources like sunlight and air are found everywhere. These are not finished after use. But, most of the resources occur in only special areas.
Classification of Resources -
Natural resources can be classified based on
A. Origin, B. Stage of Development, and C. Renewability.
On the basis of origin, resources can be divided into the following two types:
- Biotic resources: - We get these resources from the biosphere. Plants, animals, fishes etc, are examples of biotic resources. Fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum are biotic resources because we get them from dead decaying matter. Food, timber, sugar, tea, coffee, medicines etc. are also biotic resources.
- Abiotic resources: - These resources include non-living things. They are generally present in large quantities. For example, land, water, air, minerals etc. are abiotic resources.
Abiotic and biotic resources are related to each other. If abiotic factors are changed, then biotic resources will not be available. For example, plants and animals cannot live without water, air, and sunlight. If we disturb the environment, then it causes pollution. Fresh air or pure water will not be available due to this pollution for plants and animals. Then, plants and animals will die, This will disturb the natural cycles of our environment.
Resources can be classified as follows by considering the stages of development:
- Potential resources: These resources are found in a particular region. They may be used in future. The total quantity of these resources is not known. These are not being used in the present times. For example, petroleum may be present in different parts of India. but, if petroleum is not drilled out and used, then it is a potential resource.
- Actual resources: These resources have been found out. Their quantity and quality are known. These are being used in present times. Coal deposits in the Ruhr region of Germany and petroleum in West Asia are examples of actual resources.
- Reserve resources: these resources are part of an actual resource. These have been already found out. These can be used in future.
- Stock resources: These resources have been found. They cannot be used now to a lack of processing technology. They can be used in future after the development of processing techniques. Hydrogen is an example of a stock resource.
1. Renewable Resources -
These resources are replaced easily through different natural processes. Sunlight, air, water, wind, biomass, tides etc. are some examples of renewable resources. Renewable resources can be of conventional type and non-conventional types. Conventional types of resources are being used for a long time. But, non-conventional types of resources are not used commonly. This is due to the high costs and lack of technology.
Following are some examples of conventional types of renewable resources
Forest Resources -
Forest is an area with a high density of plant and animal species. The following are some functions of forests:
Forests play important roles in our biosphere. They act as habitats for different animal species and maintain biodiversity. Trees produce oxygen by photosynthesis which is needed for life.
They provide watershed protection, fuel and food. They give timber and non-timber products like rubber, cotton, medicinal products etc.
Forests help in climate control and atmosphere purification. Forests are needed to maintain biogeochemical cycles. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They prevent soil erosion. They check global warming by using carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.
Water Resources -
Water is the most common liquid on Earth. It exists on Earth in three forms solid (ice), liquid or water vapour. Water is needed for agriculture, mining, energy production, waste disposal and various industrial processes. Hydrosphere means the total mass of water present on, under and over the surface of the earth. Hydrosphere means water in oceans, Lakes, Rivers, Wetlands, Polar ice caps, Soil, and Rock layers under the earth’s surface and clouds.
More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Oceans contain about 96.5% of the earth’s water. The remaining 3.5% is freshwater. About 69% of the freshwater is stored in ice in Antarctica and Greenland. About 30% of freshwater on the earth is groundwater. Rivers, streams, and lakes together contain about 1,3% of the freshwater on the earth.
Why is Water a Unique Resource?
Water is a prerequisite for the existence of life. Human beings, animals, and plants cannot survive without water and the human body itself is mostly water. We can go without food for even 30 days or more, but we cannot go without water even for a few days. When the water content in the body drops just by 1%, there is thirst. If it drops by 10%, there is a danger of death.
Water is the most critical limiting factor for many aspects of life such as economic growth, environmental stability, biodiversity conservation, food security, and health care. In most cases of water use, there is no other substitute. In the case of energy, one source can often replace another, as a resource, which is mostly irreplaceable.
The good news about is that we can reuse it many times. It may change its form, but we can always get it back. The molecules in the water we use now have been around for millions of years. The earth holds the same quantity of water as it did when it was formed.
The paradox of the water situation is that there is scarcity amidst plenty. In this world, there is a lot of water and yet there are millions of people facing acute water scarcity.
Following are some examples of non-conventional renewable resources
Solar Energy-
It is a very important renewable resource. It is not finished after use. Solar energy is converted to electrical energy by photovoltaic cells.
Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight to electricity in solar cars. Solar cookers and solar water heaters also use solar power.
Wind Energy -
It is used in windmills. They are used for milling grain. Electrical power is produced by rotating turbine blades by wind. Wind energy is also used to pump water. Wind pumps are mostly used in farms in the United States, Australia and southern Africa.
Geothermal Energy-
Geothermal energy is the energy of the earth’s crust. It is used to generate electricity and heat. These are used in supper heaters, flash steam power plants, binary cycle power plants etc. Geothermal power stations are located in Italy, Japan, the United States etc.
Biomass and Biogas -
Biomass is the biological material we get from plants and living organisms. Biomass can be used directly as a renewable source of energy. Garbage, forest by-products, agricultural wastes, poultry litter etc, are biomass.
Wood is the largest biomass energy source. Rotten garbage and agricultural wastes produce methane gas (biomass). This can be used as biofuel. We get biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal facts.
Plant and animal waste, garbage, waste from homes, some industrial wastes etc. are burnt in plants to get a mixture of gases. This mixture of gases contains methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and water vapour. This is biogas. It contains about 60% methane. Biogas generators are used in farms to generate biogas.
Advantages of Biogas -
- Biogas-powered electricity plants can be built quickly and simply.
- Biogas plants need much less cost than coal, oil, or nuclear power plants.
- It is a renewable resource
- Methane is a greenhouse gas that causes global warming. Biogas helps in the use of methane. Hence, it is an environment-friendly process.
- The residue from the burning of biogas is called activated sludge. It is rich in nutrients. It can be dried and used as fertilizer.
London produces 30 megawatts of electricity in a year from 420000 tons of municipal waste. This gives power to 50000 families. Denmark produces about 15000 megawatts of electricity from 15 farmers' cooperatives. China has 20 million households that use biogas.
These resources need a very long time to form. The rate of formation is very slow. They are not replaced as soon as they are used up. Most of the non-renewable resources are conventional types. Minerals and fossil fuels are examples. Coal, petroleum and natural gas need thousands of years to form. They are not replaced at a faster rate.
Coal is used to generate electricity in thermal power plants.
Petroleum and diesel are used as fuels. Crude petroleum can be processed into naphthalene, nail polish, wax, crayons etc.
Natural gas is an important non-renewable resource. It contains methane. It emits less harmful air pollutants compared to other fossil fuels.
Liquefied petroleum gas is used for heating, cooking and other processes. It produces very less air pollution and no land and water pollution.
Difference between Renewable and Non- renewable Natural Resources?
A natural resource is anything that we take from the environment to meet our needs. Solar energy, water, plants, petroleum, and minerals are examples. Some resources like water can be used straight away, while others like petroleum need some processing before use.
A renewable resource is one that nature replenishes again and again over time through its own processes. One example is fresh water, which we get as rain every season, thanks to the global water cycle. Clean air, fresh topsoil, forests, and fish are other examples of renewable resources.
We must, however, give nature enough time to renew a resource. A forest that is cut down will grow back over the years if the land is left undisturbed. If we continue to cut every new shoot that comes up or use the land for other purposes, the forest cannot grow again. Again, if we use the water in a well carefully, it will replenish itself every year. If, however, we draw water faster than the rate of replenishment, the well will go dry.
What about the sun and wind, which provide us with energy? These belong to a special case of renewable sources - they are inexhaustible natural resources. They do not need replenishment.
A non-renewable natural resource is available as a finite amount on earth and does not replenish itself over a human timescale. Petroleum, coal, and minerals are examples. They were formed over millions or billions of years, but we have been depleting them rapidly over the last two centuries or so. As a result, we will exhaust such resources at some time or other. If we use them carefully, however, they would be available to us for a long time to come.
What are the threats to our Natural Resources?
These are the following threats that are responsible for the destruction of our natural resources-
- Global Warming and Climate Change - Average global temperatures have been rising during the twentieth century and the first decade of the twenty-first century was the warmest on record. Worldwide, extreme weather including droughts, floods, and storms has become more common. Glaciers all over the world are melting. It has affected natural resources, especially agricultural growth and soil health.
- Pollution - Different environmental pollutants have affected natural resources like Air, water, land, marine etc. Pollutants are carbon monoxide, Lead, Nitrogen oxides, cadmium, arsenic and Pesticides affect the chemical composition of the soil, air, freshwater and underground water, which destroys our many natural resources.
- Population - The population of the whole world is increasing at a very fast rate. Therefore, the demand for food is also increasing. More agriculture is needed to produce more crops. Farmland is used more or more to increase crop productivity. This is degrading the farmland. Land degradation is increasing at a rate of 7 million hectares per year worldwide. Land degradation occurs not only due to agricultural practices but also due to growing of urban areas and industries. Forests are cut to get land for cities and industries. The increase in population is a serious threat to our natural resources.
- Overgrazing - Each land has a limited capacity to provide food for cattle. This is called the carrying capacity of the land. It depends on the fertility of the soil and the rainfall received by the land. When the cattle depending on the land are more than the carrying capacity then the land is called overgrazed. Overgrazing decreases the number and types of plant species. Many useful species are lost. This affects the biodiversity of the area.
- Deforestation - Deforestation exposes soils and shade species to wind, sunlight, evaporation and erosion. Soil fertility goes down due to the rapid leaching of essential mineral nutrients. When the forest disappears, there is no regulation of the flow into rivers. As a result, floods and droughts alternate in the affected areas. Clearing of forests affects the local communities, who lose their sources of food, fuel, construction materials, medicines, and areas for livestock grazing.
- Overfishing - Overfishing and ocean acidification are placing all marine life at risk. Large areas of the ocean have become dead zones without any life. Worldwide, 50% of coastal mangroves and corals that perform vital ecological functions have been destroyed.
Role of an individual in the conservation of Natural Resources-
Resources are getting destroyed in the present world at a very fast rate. If we do not save our resources, then they will not be available in future. The increase in population and shortage of resources mostly affect developing countries. India is a developing country. Therefore, saving resources is needed by every individual in India.
We can work from our level to conserve our resources, especially energy resources.
- We must turn off the lights, fans, television sets and other gadgets when not in use.
- We can use public transport to decrease pollution.
- Using tube lights and energy-efficient bulbs helps to save energy.
- The use of a pressure cooker for cooking decreases the energy needed for cooking. Therefore, it saves fuel.
- We must not throw garbage here and there. This causes land pollution.
- Planting trees is a very good step to save resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is a Natural Resource?
Answer - A natural resource is anything that we take from the environment to meet our needs. Solar energy, water, plants, petroleum, and minerals are examples.
Question: What is the Importance of Natural Resources?
Answer - The importance of natural resources is mentioned below:
- Forest provides us with food, timber, and fuel, and it is a shelter for many living organisms.
- Minerals are used as fuel and steel-like coal, iron, ore, etc.
- Sunlight gives us solar energy, an important alternative energy source.
- The land is used for cultivation and growing food products.
- Natural resources provide us with oxygen to breathe.
Question: What is a Renewable Natural Resource?
Answer - A renewable resource is one that nature replenishes again over time through its own processes. One example is fresh water, which we get as rain every season, thanks to the global water cycle. Clean air, fresh topsoil, forests, and fish are other examples of renewable resources.
Question: What is a Non-Renewable Resource?
Answer - A non-renewable natural resource is available as a finite amount on earth and does not replenish itself over a human timescale. Petroleum, coal, and minerals are examples.
These resources need a very long time to form. The rate of formation is very slow. Most of the non-renewable resources are conventional types. Coal, petroleum and natural gas need thousands of years to form. They are not replaced at a faster rate.
Question: What are some examples of natural resources?
Answer - Resource is a commodity that occurs naturally in our environment. Air, water, sunlight, fossil fuels, rock, minerals, forestry, soil etc, are examples of natural resources.
Question: What are the Six major threats to natural resources?
Answer - Climate Change, Environmental pollution, Deforestation and Forest Degradation, Overfishing, Illegal Wildlife Trade, and Direct exploitation of natural resources etc. are some major threats to natural resources.
Question: What are the strategies for the conservation of natural Resources?
Answer - The five things that can be done to conserve natural resources are as follows:
- Turn off the lights when not in use.
- Use less water during everyday activities.
- Use renewable energy
- Implementing the principle of three R’ (Reduce- Reuse and Recycle)
- Avoid plastic materials in our daily routine.