01 NATURAL RESOURCES

What are natural resources?

1. Resources obtained from nature, i.e. the earth are called natural resources
2. occur naturally, and humans cannot make them.
3. The raw materials used in artificial or man-made resources are natural resources.

SCOPE -

1. RENEWABLE
2. NON RENNEWABLE
3. BIOLOGICAL
4. LAND RESOURCES
5. WATER RESOURCE
6. MINERAL RERSOURCE
7. ENERGY RESOURCE

Classification of natural resources

1. On the basis of their origin
   1. living or biotic resources
   2. non-living or abiotic resources.
2. On the basis of deposit or stock
   1. renewable
   2. non-renewable.

1. BIOTIC / LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES

1. If natural resources come from living things or organic materials they are termed as living or biotic resources.
2. Biotic resources include plants, animals and fossil fuels.
3. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are classified as biotic resources as they are formed from the decay of organic matter over millions of years.

2. ABIOTIC / NON-LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES

1. if the resources are derived from nonliving or inorganic materials, they are termed as abiotic resources.
2. For instance, air, sunlight, and water are abiotic natural resources.
3. Minerals are also considered abiotic.

1. RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES

1. Resources that can be used without any risk of its ending up are called renewable resources.
2. They exist in unlimited quantity.
3. Get replenished quickly once depleted 4. Sun, water, wind, biomass, tides, geothermal energy, etc. are renewable resources.
4. These are infinite sources of energy.

2. NON-RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES

1. cannot be replenished after their depletion is called non-renewable resources.
2. Most fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas are considered nonrenewable resources.
3. Nonrenewable resources take millions of years for their formation,
4. hence, their cautious and economic use is the only option left for mankind.