189174742 natural resources

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What is nature and resources Nature as all living organisms and the environments in which they live, and

Resources in ecological point of view as anything in the environment whichcan be used. The definition of these two terms brings to mind of the word

natural resources. Natural resources are any form of matter or energy obtained from the

physical environment that meet human needs. This definition of natural resources is not as simple as it appears. Most

resources are created by human ingenuity. Oil was once a useless fluid until

humans learned how to locate it, extract it from the ground, and separate it by

distillation into various components such as gasoline, home heating oil, and

road tar.

Whether something is classified as a resource depends on technology, economics,

cultural beliefs, and the environmental effects of finding and using it.


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Classification of natural resources:

Renewable resourcesThe resources that can

be replenished through rapid natural cyclesare known as renewable resource. They are

generally living resources (fish, and forests, for

example), which can restock (renew) themselves

if they are notoverharvested.

Non-renewable resources The non-

renewable resources are the earthsmaterials. The resources that cannot be

replenished through natural processes areknown as non-renewable resources. fossil

fuels, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas are

considered non-renewable resources.


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a) Re-cycleale: These are non-renewable resources,which can be collected after they are used and can berecycled. These are mainly the non-energy mineralresources, which occur in the earthscrust (e.g. ores of

aluminium, copper, mercury etc.) and deposits offertilizer nutrients (e.g. phosphate sock and potassiumand minerals used in their natural state (asbestos, clay,mica etc.)

b) Non-recyclable: These are non-renewable resources,which cannot be recycled in any way. Examples ofthese are fossil fuels and uranium, which provide 9090 per cent of our energy requirements.

Non-renewable resources can further be divided into two

categories, viz. a) recycle able and b) non-recyclable


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Resources can also be classified on biotic

and abiotic:

Biotic resourcesare derived

from animals and plants

(living world). Abiotic resoucesare derived

from the non-living world e.g.

land, water, and air.

Mineral and power resources

can also be abiotic resources

some are derived from nature.

In terms of availability, resources could be classed as inexhaustibleand exhaustible


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NATURAL RESOURCES


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Air

Water

Water purification

Waste treatment

Nonrenewable

minerals

iron, sand)

Oil

Soil

Soil renewal

Nonrenewable

energy

(fossil fuels)

Solar

capital

Land

Food production

Nutrient

recycling

Life

(biodiversity)

Population

control

Pest

control

Renewable

energy

(sun, wind,

water flows)

Air purification

Climate control

UV protection

(ozone layer)

Natural resourcesNatural services

NATURAL CAPITAL

Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services


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Natural resources and their usesSoil: Used for growing crops (only 10% of the earth's surface).

Soil can be used for shelter. Many tribal people around the world create shelters with thehelp of soil.Water:

Used for drinking (only 0.0007% of earth's water is suitable for drinking. The rest is saltwater, water trapped in glaciers, or polluted.

Freshwater is used for irrigation of crops.

Water bodies such as oceans, lakes, and rivers of the world can be used for transportation. Fishing is a valuable source of food within certain water bodies.

The water from rivers is used to generate hydro-electricity.Minerals: Minerals can be defined as naturally occurring substances obtained from the ground. Some

examples are coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron, copper, gold, etc. They are also absorbed byplants from the earth's surface, and are transferred to humans through food.

They (coal, natural gas, and fossil fuels) are a source of energy.

Used as ingredients to make other materials like iron ore, steel, and petroleum. Petroleum isused to make a variety of by-products like gasoline, plastic, etc.

Can be used in its natural form like salt.


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Natural resources and their uses

Vegetation: Land is used for farming from which vegetables, grains, and fruits are grown.

Wood from trees is cut and processed to make furniture for homes and to provide

for construction materials.

It's used for cooking and also as fuel to produce heat for warmth.

Clothing - clothes are made from cotton. Plants are used as an ingredient in medicines.

Animals:

Animals are used as food, and their waste is used as fertilizer for crops. We get fur and hide from animals which are both used for making clothes.

Used for transportation.


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he history of human resource use

wood and the sun food, basic housing and weapons

Wood consumption much higher

fossil fuels-coal, oil and gas


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Category Direct impacts of extraction

and distribution

Disturbance to material

cycles

Other relevant

environmental impacts

Use of fossil fuels Large local/regional impacts onthe landscape and Eco-

toxicological pollutionCarbon cycle is greatly enlarged

(greenhouse effect) Metal fluxes are

increased (metals are present as

contaminants)

Sulphur cycle is enlarged

Greatest cause of acidification,

important source of acidifying

compounds in Western countries

Calamities during extraction

and distribution with large

impacts on nature

Use of mineral reserves Large local/regional impacts onthe landscape and eco-toxicological pollution

The use on non-ferrous metal in

particular (e.g. copper, zinc, lead andcadmium) is responsible for a steep

rise in metal fluxes

Disasters during extraction and

distribution with large impacts onnature.

Use of wood fibres as

fueland material (forestry)

Clearance and loss of forest area,

loss of soil,

consumption of groundwater

reserves

Disruption of nutrient cycles,

reduced carbon storage function

Other greenhouse gas cycles

affected Eutrophication and

acidification due to use of nutrients

or exhaustion due to use ofnutrients

Ecotoxicological impacts ofpesticide use

Fisheries Overexploitation andshrinkage of fish stocks, loss of

biodiversityDisruption of nutrient cycles

Use of water Falling water tables,salination, exhaustion of

groundwater reserves, damage to

ecosystems

Table : an indication of the type of environmental impacts resulting from the use of anumber of important groups of natural resources


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Resource Depletion

Resource depletion is an economic term

referring to the exhaustion of raw materials

within a region. Use of either any forms of

resources beyond their rate of replacement isconsidered to be resource depletion.


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NATURAL CAPITAL

DEGRADATION

Air pollution

Climate

change

Soil erosion

Aquiferdepletion

Decreased

wildlife

habitats

Species

extinction

Shrinking

forests

Declining ocean

fisheries

Water

pollution

Degradation of Normally Renewable Natural Resources


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Causes of Resource Depletion

Excessive or unnecessary use of resources

Non-equitable distribution of resources

Overpopulation

Slash and burn agricultural practices, currently occurring in

many developing countries

Technological and industrial development

Erosion

Irrigation

Mining for oil and minerals

drainage of wetlands

Climate change


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Challenges in sustainable use of resources1. Human behaviour

Human behaviours have said to make things worse by these activities;

having too many children agricultural burning

over consumption of resources

failure to re-cycle

production/disposal of toxic waste

improper disposal of human waste

improper disposal of garbage mis-use of pesticides

overcrowding

economic dependence on growth

depletion of soils by over farming

2. Human population and consumption level

The world population is projected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050. As always, population

growth has a marked influence on levels of consumption and the efficiency of resource use.

The impacts of the growing world population on land, water, energy, and biota resources are

real and indeed overwhelming.


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3. Economic growth

Historically there has been a close correlation between economic

growth and environmental degradation. As communities grow, so

do the environment declines. There is concern that, unless

resource use is checked, modern global civilization will follow the

path of ancient civilizations that collapsed through overexploitation of their resource base.


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(a) Inability to replace ecological functions - While it is possible that we can find ways to

replace some natural resources, it is much more unlikely that they will ever be able toreplace eco-system services, such as the protection provided by the ozone layer, or the

climate stabilizing function of the Amazonian forest.

(b) Natural resources multifunction - A further obstacle to sustainability lies also in the

multi-functionality of many natural resources. Forests, for example, does not only provide

the raw material for paper which can be substituted quite easily, but they also maintainbiodiversity, regulate water flow, and absorb Carbon dioxide.

(c) Partial irreversibility of natural resources - Another problem of natural resources

deterioration lies in their partial irreversibility. For example, the loss in biodiversity is often

definite and consumption of natural capital or resources may have no observable impact

until a certain threshold is reached.

(d) Complementary role of resources The Ecological Economist Herman Daly had once

asked, "What use is a saw mill without a forest?" From this perspective, the economy is a

subsystem of human society, which is itself a subsystem of the biosphere and a gain in one

sector is a loss from another.

Obstacle to sustainability in the use of resources

R l f I di id l i C i f N l R


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Role of an Individual in Conservation of Natural Resources

Conserve Water:

1. Dont keep water taps running while brushing, shaving, washing or bathing.

2. In washing machines fill the machine only to the level required for yourclothes.

3. Install water saving toilets that use not more than 6 liters per flush.

4. Check for water leaks in pipes and toilets and repair them promptly.

5. Reuse the soapy water of washing from clothes for gardening, driveways etc.

6. Water the plants and the lawns in the evening when evaporation losses are

minimum. Never water the plants in mid-day.

7. Install a system to capture rain water.

Protect the Soil:

1. Grow different types of ornamental plants, herbs and trees in your garden.Grow grass in the open areas which will bind the soil and prevent its erosion.

2. Make compost from your kitchen waste and use it for your kitchen-garden.

3. Do not irrigate the plants using a strong flow of water as it would wash off thesoil.

4. Better use sprinkling irrigation.


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Conserve energy:

1. Turn off lights fans and other appliances when not in use.

2. Obtain as much heat as possible from natural sources. Dry the clothes in suninstead of direr if possible.

3. Use solar cooker for cooking which will be more nutritious and will save yourLPG expenses.

4. Build your house with provision for sunspace which will keep your housewarmer and will provide more light.

5. Drive less, make fewer trips and use public transportations whenever

possible. Share a car-pool if possible.6. Control the use of A.C.

7. Recycle and reuse glass, metals and papers.

8. Use bicycle or just walk down small distances instead of using vehicle.

Promote Sustainable Agriculture:1. Do not waste food; Take as much as you can eat.

2. Reduce the use of pesticides.

3. Fertilize your crop with organic fertilizers.

4. Use drip irrigation.

5. Eat local and seasonal vegetables.6 Control pests

189174742 natural resources

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