Natural Resources - Types of Examples, Definition, FAQs

Natural Resources

Natural resources are those resources which are obtained from nature in natural ways i.e. human help is not needed for this purpose. Or we can also define natural resources as those resources which are found in the environment and further developed without any interaction of humans. The name of natural resources are Sunlight, air, water, soil, plants, animals and fossil fuels. Natural resources are those resources which occur naturally and these useful for living beings and by some modifications or purifications it can also be used for many other purposes like clothes, metals, fertilizers, fossil fuels etc.

Examples:

• Water – Used for drinking, irrigation, household activities, and industrial purposes.
• Petroleum (Oil) – Obtained from beneath the Earth's surface and used as a major source of fuel for transportation and industries.
• Forests – Provide timber, rubber, food, medicines, and other valuable products. They also serve as habitats for wildlife.
• Rocks – Used in construction and provide shelter to many organisms.
• Minerals – Essential for manufacturing various products such as jewellery, ceramics, glass, iron, steel, and electronic devices.
• Soil – Supports agriculture, which is the primary source of food for humans and animals.
• Animals – Provide useful products such as wool, leather, silk, milk, and meat, and contribute to human livelihood in many ways.

Also Read:

• NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 14 Environmental Chemistry
• NCERT Exemplar Class 11 Chemistry Solutions Chapter 14 Environmental Chemistry
• NCERT notes Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 14 Environmental Chemistry

Types of Natural Resources

Based on availability of resources, these are categorised into two different categories known by the names:

1. Renewable Natural Resources

Renewable natural resources are those resources that can be replenished or renewed naturally within a relatively short period of time. These resources are considered sustainable because they can be used repeatedly without being permanently depleted if managed properly. They are generally environmentally friendly and have a lower impact on nature.

Characteristics:

• Can be renewed naturally.
• Available continuously or replenished quickly.
• Sustainable when used wisely.
• Generally eco-friendly.

Examples:

• Sunlight
• Wind
• Water
• Forests
• Biomass

2. Non-Renewable Natural Resources

Non-renewable natural resources are those resources that exist in limited quantities and cannot be replenished within a human lifetime. Once these resources are exhausted, they take millions of years to form again. Therefore, they are also known as exhaustible resources. Their excessive use can lead to depletion and environmental pollution.

Characteristics:

• Available in limited quantities.
• Cannot be replaced quickly.
• Exhaustible in nature.
• Often causes environmental pollution when used.

Examples:

• Coal
• Petroleum
• Natural Gas
• Minerals (Iron, Copper, Gold, etc.)

Important Types of Natural Resources:

Several natural resources may be renewable in nature. Out of all these resources, the five main natural resources are explained as follows:

1. Air: Air is one of the most important natural resources and is kept in the category of Renewable natural resources. As we know, air is the gases present in our atmosphere, or we can say that the atmosphere is because of the gases or air present. Air is important for all living organisms to survive on this planet. The environment contains several gases in its air, like Oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. Life is not possible without good air, so we have to take all strict actions to purify our air or reduce air pollution.

2. Water: The second major natural resource is water, and it is kept in the category of Renewable natural resources. It is already known to us that 70% of our Earth is covered with water. The major sources of water are rainfall, lakes, rivers, ponds, sea, etc. Out of these 70% water bodies, only 2% of water is pure in nature, which we drink. We can’t imagine our life without the existence of water. Major uses of water are drinking, cooking, cleaning, etc. Hence we have to save water as much as we can and should not pollute the water by adding industrial or household waste into water bodies as it will be harmful to us and as well as for aquatic animals.

3. Soil: Soil is the most important resource for us and plants. Plants grow in soil, and the crop we need to prepare food is also grown in the soil. Soil is also kept in the category of natural renewable resources, as with the breakage of big mountains, they get converted into soil. Soil consists of many organic minerals, air, water, etc., which are helpful for any plant or crop to grow. Soil is the basic source of nutrients for plants and animals, and for many insects it is home, i.e. soil provides shelter to them. Soil is used for agricultural purposes.

4. Iron: Iron is made up of silica and has many uses, such as being used in the construction of buildings, other household things like an almirah, table, chair, etc., and also used in automobiles like cars, buses, etc. Iron is also used in making strong weapons. Iron is said to be non-renewable in nature; it cannot be renewed, so we have to use this resource for our needs only.

5. Forests: Forests are said to be the most important natural resource, which is useful for us as well as for animals. It provides shelter to animals and also provides food to them. Trees in forests also become the major resources of wood, paper, medicines, etc for us. But with the increasing population, the demand for construction increases, which reduces the forest area and will hurt our environment, as trees are a major source that reduces pollution.

This suggests that natural resources are very important for us, so we have to follow some methods to conserve natural resources, which can be discussed as follows:

1. Don’t waste water.
2. Save fuel by sharing cabs, taking public transport and for near distances, use bicycles and walking. This will save fuel, as fuel is non-renewable in nature.
3. Majorly use renewable energy resources rather than non-renewable ones, like using solar energy rather than consuming much light energy.
4. Always remember the three R rules – Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.
5. Always dig down the vegetable waste; it helps in making compost, which can be used further.
6. Say no to those items that create pollution, like plastic bags, etc.

Also read

Some Solved Examples

Question 1: Which of the following is a renewable natural resource?

A. Coal
B. Petroleum
C. Wind Energy
D. Natural Gas

Solution:

Wind is continuously replenished by natural atmospheric processes and hence is a renewable resource. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are fossil fuels and are non-renewable.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Question 2: Which of the following resources is classified as an exhaustible natural resource?

A. Sunlight
B. Wind
C. Water Cycle
D. Petroleum

Solution:

Petroleum is available in limited quantities and takes millions of years to form. Therefore, it is an exhaustible (non-renewable) resource.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D)

Question 3: Which statement is incorrect regarding renewable resources?

A. They can be replenished naturally.
B. They are generally sustainable.
C. They are available in unlimited quantities under all conditions.
D. They can be used repeatedly if managed properly.

Solution:

Renewable resources can regenerate, but overexploitation may still deplete them temporarily. Therefore, they are not unlimited under all conditions.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Question 4: Consider the following resources:

1. Coal

2. Forests

3. Petroleum

4. Wind

The non-renewable resources among these are:

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3 only

Solution:

Coal and petroleum are fossil fuels and are non-renewable. Forests and wind are renewable resources.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)