Natural resources are those resources that are used to support life and meet people’s needs. They are naturally available in nature. The two main types of natural resources are renewable resources and non-renewable resources. This article will briefly throw light on natural resources.
Classification of Natural Resources
Natural resources can be classified based on the following:
- Based on renewability or exhaustibility
- Based on ownership
- Based on stages of development
- Based on origin
Classification of Natural Resources – Based on Renewability/Exhaustibility
Based on renewability or exhaustibility, natural resources are classified into non-renewable resources and renewable resources.
Non-renewable Resources
- It takes millions of years for the formation of non-renewable resources like coal, natural gas, etc.
- Apart from the above, the other examples of non-renewable resources are petroleum, minerals like iron, copper, manganese etc.
- Non-renewable sources of energy are those resources which will get exhausted after their usage for a certain period of time.
Renewable Resources
- Renewable resources will not get depleted through usage.
- Water is a renewable resource because it gets replenished due to the hydrological cycle. Water is a very important renewable resource.
- Other examples of renewable energy are tidal energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, solar energy, etc.
Classification of Natural Resources – Based on Stages of Development
Based on stages of development, natural resources can be classified as
- Stocks
- Reserves
- Actual resources
- Potential resources
Classification of Natural Resources – Based on Origin
Based on origin, natural resources can be classified as
- Biotic
- Abiotic
Classification of Natural Resources – Based on Ownership
Based on ownership, natural resources can be classified as
- International resources
- National resources
- Community resources
- Individual resources
Related Links
- Solar Energy – Definition, Advantages And Disadvantages, Types And Uses
- CBSE Notes Class 8 Geography Chapter 1- Resources
- CBSE Notes Class 10 Geography Chapter 1 – Resources and Development
- CBSE Notes Class 10 Geography Chapter 5 – Minerals and Energy Resources
- Natural Resources Class 9 CBSE Notes – Chapter 14
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1
What are natural resources and their types?
Natural resources are those resources which are naturally available in nature. There are two types of natural resources, and they are non-renewable resources and renewable resources.
Q2
Why are natural resources important?
Natural resources are extremely important for the survival of human beings. For example, water is used for drinking and generating power; coal is used to generate power, petroleum is used as fuel for transportation, etc.
Q3
Where do natural resources come from?
Natural resources occur naturally; they are found on the earth’s surface, in the environment of the earth. For example, we get solar energy from the sun. Natural resources which come from inorganic materials are known as abiotic. Natural resources which come from organic matter are known as biotic.
Q4
Is water a natural resource?
Water is one of the most important natural resources.
Q5
What is the best natural resource?
All the natural resources are equally important for sustaining human life on planet earth.
