Definition of Natural Resources
In geography, natural resources are materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment and can be used for economic gain or to meet human needs without significant human modification. These include elements like air, water, minerals, forests, and fossil fuels, which are studied in terms of their spatial distribution, accessibility, and impact on human societies. Geographers classify them based on origin, renewability, and location to analyze how they shape regional economies and ecosystems.
Types of Natural Resources
Natural resources are broadly categorized into renewable and non-renewable types. Renewable resources, such as sunlight, wind, and timber, can replenish naturally over time if managed sustainably. Non-renewable resources, including coal, oil, and metallic ores, exist in finite quantities and deplete with use. Additionally, they can be biotic (derived from living organisms, like plants and animals) or abiotic (non-living, like rocks and water), influencing geographic patterns of extraction and conservation.
Practical Examples
Consider the Amazon rainforest as a biotic renewable resource, providing timber, medicinal plants, and oxygen while supporting biodiversity; its exploitation for agriculture illustrates geographic trade-offs between economic development and environmental preservation. In contrast, the Middle East's oil reserves represent an abiotic non-renewable resource, driving global trade routes and geopolitical dynamics, as seen in the formation of OPEC to manage extraction rates.
Importance and Applications in Geography
Natural resources are fundamental to geography as they underpin human settlement, economic activities, and environmental sustainability. They explain spatial inequalities, such as resource-rich regions experiencing rapid urbanization, and inform policies on conservation and equitable distribution. Understanding their management helps address challenges like climate change and resource scarcity, promoting sustainable practices that balance human needs with ecological health.