Types of Natural Resources
Natural resources are classified into different types of resources based on the level of development and use, origin, stock as well as distribution. Let us discuss them in detail below:
Based on Development and Use
Based on their development and use, natural resources can be divided into two types of resources:
Actual Resource
Actual resources refer to those whose quantity is known to us and which are used at the present. For example Coal.
Potential Resource
Resources whose quantity may not be known to us entirely and which are not being used at present are called potential resources and can be used in the future once the technology for their use is fully developed. An example is Uranium.
Based on Origin
Based on the origin the resources can be divided into two types of resources:
Abiotic Resource
Resources that are from non-living sources are known as abiotic resources, like soil, rocks, etc.
Biotic Resource
Resources that come from living beings are known as biotic resources. Forest products and forests belong to biotic resources. These resources reproduce and regenerate themselves.
Based on Exhaustibility
Based on the exhaustibility, types of resources are divided into two types:
Renewable Resources
These are those which get recharged or on the other hand renewed rapidly. A portion of these are limitless what’s more, are not impacted by human exercises, for example, sun-powered Furthermore, wind energy. However imprudent utilization of certain sustainable assets like water, soil, and timberland can influence their stock.
Non-Renewable Resources
These are those which have restricted stock. When the stocks are depleted they might require millennia to be restored or recharged. Since this period is considerably more than human existence spans, such assets are thought of as non-sustainable. Coal, oil, and petroleum gas are a few models.
Based on Distribution
Based on distribution, the types of resources are:
Ubiquitous Resource
These refer to those resources which are available in any part of the world like that air and water.
Localized Resource
Resources that are available only in some selected areas of the earth are the localized resources like coal mines in Jharkhand. Some factors which influence this are the topography, climate, and altitude for the distribution of certain localized resources.
Potential, Developed, and Stock Resources
Resources in the environment which are easily available but humans are yet to discover their true importance and power are known as potential resources. Some examples are wind and solar energy; which are used presently but can be used further to true potential.
A developed resource in contrast is a resource that humans have discovered and have developed over some time. Most of the resources like fossil, fuels, and minerals are part of developed resources.
Some resources in the environment which has enough potential but not adequate knowledge available to use or develop them are known as stock resources like the importance of hydrogen and oxygen gases.
Types Of Resources
Types of Resources: Resources refer to anything that has some utility for us and adds value to life. Air, water, food, plants, and everything else which exists in nature and has utility for mankind is known as a “Resource”. The broad types of resources include natural resources, Human-made resources, and human resources.
With technology, humans can transform a natural or even man-made substance into a resource and with time similarly add value to any resource.
Table of Content
- Types of Resources Flow Chart
- Natural Resources
- Types of Natural Resources
- Man-Made Resources
- Human Resources
- Economic Resources
- Capital Resources
- Technology Resources
- Resource Conservation
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