Natural Resources - Definition, Types, and Examples
Last Updated : 08 Apr, 2025
Natural resources refer to those resources which exist on the planet, independent of the activities and actions of humans. Some common examples of natural resources include sunlight, water, soil, stone, plants, fossil fuels, etc.
Types of Natural ResourcesLet's learn about Natural Resources in detail, including its types, uses and examples.
Natural Resources Definition
Natural resources are defined as resources which exist independent of human actions.
They are normally found in nature itself as the name recommends. A few regular resources are the air we inhale, the water we drink, minerals in the dirt, the land needed for a farming operation, and so on.
Whatever can be found in nature that can be put to use by mankind should be characterized as a resource. Natural resources are substances derived from the earth, such as food, construction and clothing materials, fertilizers, metals, water, and geothermal energy.
Types of Natural Resources
On the basis of their availability, natural resources are divided into two types:
- Renewable Resources
- Non-Renewable Resources
Let's learn about them in some detail.
Renewable Resources
Renewable resources are resources that are reestablished or renewed rapidly in a limited timeframe, such as wind, water, air, etc. They can be genuinely recuperated or supplanted after usage. Creatures can likewise be classified as sustainable resources since they can be raised and reared to duplicate posterity to substitute the more seasoned creatures.
The sustainable unrefined components that come from living things in particular creatures and trees and are named natural inexhaustible resources while those that come from non-living things, for example, sun, water, and wind are named inorganic sustainable resources.
Non-renewable Resources
Non-renewable resources are restricted resources. In the event that these resources are once finished, they won’t be supplanted again. These are the ones that can't just be subbed or recuperated once they have been used or obliterated. Some creatures for the most part the jeopardized species are likewise viewed as non-sustainable in light of the fact that they are at the edge of annihilation.
The non-inexhaustible materials that come from living things, for example, petroleum products are known as natural non-sustainable resources while those that come from non-living things like rocks, what's more, soil are alluded to as inorganic non-inexhaustible resources.
Difference between Renewable and Non Renewable Resources
Renewable vs. Non Renewable Resources |
|---|
| Renewable Resources | Non-Renewable Resources |
|---|
| It can be renewed rapidly in a limited timeframe | It cannot be subbed once they have been used |
| Sustainable in environment | Limited in environment |
| Inexpensive and environmentally friendly | High price and unfriendly to the environment |
| Wind, water, and air are some examples | Coal and oil are some examples |
5 Most Important Natural Resources
The 5 most important natural resources are:
- Soil: Different particles and nutrients make up soil. It promotes plant growth.
- Air: For all plants, animals, and humans to exist on this planet, the air they breathe must be clean.
- Water: Earth is 70 percent covered with water and only 2 percent of that is freshwater.
- Forests: Forests maintain the world's ecosystem and offer clean air.
- Iron: Iron is used to construct powerful weapons, vehicles, and structures. It is found as the mineral silica.
Uses of Natural Resources
Natural resources are materials and substances that occur naturally in the environment. They can be renewable, like air and water, or non-renewable, like oil and coal. They are used to produce goods and services.
Humans use natural resources for many purposes, including obtaining food, shelter, water, fuel, minerals, and other raw materials. We also use them for recreation and to support our economic activities.
Over time, human usage of natural resources has evolved. For instance, we are developing new methods to use the resources we already have more effectively, and we are using renewable resources more than we did in the past.
However, we have difficulties in sustainably providing our demands as the global population expands and consumes more resources. Responsible resource management is crucial if we want to ensure that both present and future generations may benefit from natural resources.
Importance of Natural Resources
Natural resources are crucial to our daily life. They are necessary for the economic, social, and environmental health of the entire planet.
They are crucial for the production of energy, goods for industry, and food. Its availability has a direct impact on employment across a wide range of industries. The wealth of natural resources makes a country affluent because it can be used to create financial capital.
Examples of Natural Resources
Natural resources are materials and components that can be found within the environment. Some common examples of natural resources include water, air, soil, plants, animals, and minerals. These resources can be renewable or nonrenewable.
- Water is a renewable resource that is necessary for life.
- Air is a mixture of gases that is necessary for humans to breathe.
- Soil is the thin layer of rock and organic matter that covers the Earth’s surface.
- Plants are living organisms that produce food and oxygen for other animals through photosynthesis.
- Minerals are used to make cell phones and computers.
- Animals provide us with food and labor.
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