What Is Resources & Types Of Resources in Geography

Introduction to Resources

Human beings have always depended on the surface of the natural environment. He fulfills his living needs and requirements by investing directly or indirectly in various natural materials from our available surrounding environment.

Some periodic changes are created in the natural and physical properties of the materials, like wooden tools are made from wood, cotton is made from cotton, cloth is made from cotton, various tools and household appliances are made and used from minerals. The products produced from the materials are more valuable than the original materials.

Substances that remain unused or unknown in the natural environment are not considered resources. If man finds it and invests it in various activities, it is considered as a resource. So the country which has developed this resource from its stored state to the extent possible.

Many people around us think that resources are a free gift of nature. But this is not true. Resources are the inputs of human activity. The role of man in the use of resources is particularly noteworthy. Because man is considered as the creator, user and destroyer of resources.

The economic condition of that country has become prosperous to that extent. Some of these resources are used directly while others are converted and utilized in various ways. This transformation process depends on the interdependence between nature, people, industry and institutions in the natural environment.

Therefore, in economic geography, man is considered as a major factor. Because all processes like production, distribution, and consumption are created by humans. For that reason, human beings are also considered as potential resources, which are known as Human Resources.

The standard of living of the people of a country depends upon the condition of the country and the quality and size of the population. Therefore, the civilization or economic development of any country depends on the population, natural resources and human resource utilization of that country.

The four characteristics of Resources are:

  • Utility
  • Changeability
  • Functionality
  • Availability

Types Of Resources

Resources are divided into different categories based on source, use, quality etc.

According to nature

Natural resources

The materials and energy in nature by which man is benefited directly and indirectly are called natural resources. For example: land, soil, forest, wildlife, water, air, minerals, energy etc.

Cultural Resources

In the course of the development of civilization, man has made useful use of his skills and technical knowledge in some way by transforming the natural environment or in a completely isolated way.

Various Man-made cultural and economic institutions, industry, education, health, trade, finance, money circulation, social and political institutions are listed under this resource.

Human Resources

Humans are considered a particularly valuable resource. Resources are created through the combined processes of man and his environment and cultural organization. For example: structure, installation, quality etc.

According to origin

Biotic Resources

It is the living things under the biosphere or within nature like – human beings, animals, plants, microorganisms, animals, birds, fish, etc.

Abiotic Resources

These are inorganic or non-living things which are available in nature For example: soil, rock, sand, minerals, material etc.

According to usage and availability

Inexhaustible resources

Resources which

do not end despite repeated use by humans are called inexhaustible resources. Eg: solar energy, wind etc.

Limited or perishable resource

The resource which is gradually reduced or threatened to be depleted by human use is called finite or perishable resource. For example – petroleum, coal, various minerals etc.

According to Quantity

Ir-replenishable Resources

The resources that are completely depleted by human consumption and cannot be regenerated are called replenishable resources. For example: Minerals, Petroleum, Coal etc are the part of Replenishable Resources.

Flow or
Replenishable Resources

A resource in which no reduction in quantity is observed due to human use is called Flow or Replenishable Resources. For example: solar energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, wind energy etc.

According to input

Renewable Resources

The resources which do not completely decay despite repeated use by man and can be replenished in various ways are called renewable resources. Forest products, animal products, agricultural products, etc. are renewed and used again through a cyclic process. Water, soil, air pollution is replenished in natural ways.

Non-renewable Resources

The resources which are depleted or destroyed due to continuous human use or other reasons and cannot be replenished are known as non-renewable resources. Eg: Coal, Petroleum etc.

In some cases, waste metal materials are made usable again by recycling processes in various mechanical methods. It is known as Recoverable Resources.

For example, metallic materials like earth, clay, iron, aluminum, copper material etc. Non-renewable resources that cannot be recovered are called non-renewable resources. like – Coal, Petroleum, etc.

According to distribution or distribution

Ubiquitous Resources

The resources which are found everywhere on the earth’s surface are called ubiquitous resources. For example, land, water, air etc.

Localised Resources

The resources which are limited to certain places on the earth’s surface are called localized resources. Eg: Minerals etc.

According to the level of development

Potential Resources

The resources that are lying unused in nature are called hidden or stored resources. Gujarat and Rajasthan have abundant solar and wind energy. But it has not been developed properly. Minerals under the seabed are also classified as stored resources.

Water is formed by the combination of oxygen and nitrogen. It is hoped that with proper technology, energy can be produced from Etu in the future.

Stocks Resources

Substances in the environment that can meet human needs but cannot be used according to today’s technology; Such material resources are included in inventory.

Developed Resources

The resources that have been utilized and humans have been discovered and developed over a long time. This resource is known as Developed Resources. For example: Hydro-electricity, Forestry, Mineral, water etc.

Reserved resources

The resources that have been found, but have not been usefully used, but are expected to be useful in the future are called reserved resources. Eg: running water that cannot be used for power generation.

According to Ownership

Individual Resources

The resources that are in one’s own right are called individual resources. E.g.: Farmland, House, Plantation Agricultural Land, Pool, Well etc.

Community Resources

The fixed and immovable resources owned by all members of a group are called community resources. For example: open ground, cemetery, pool, well, pleasure garden, entertainment center, playground etc.

National Resources

All the natural resources, cultural resources, human resources which are available within the geographical boundaries of the country are called national resources. Even domestic resources are under National Resources. The prosperity and development of the country depends on the national resources of the country. For example: roads, canals, railways, mineral resources, water, forests, wildlife etc.

International Resources

The resources that are managed by international institutions are called international resources. The exclusive economic zone of the sea coast means the marine resources in the next area of ​​200 nautical miles (370 km) under it. The international organization United Nations (U.N.) has authority over it and no country can claim any rights without its prior permission.

FAQs

What Is Natural Resources?

The materials and energy in nature by which man is benefited directly and indirectly are called natural resources.

What Is National Resources?

All the natural resources, cultural resources, human resources which are available within the geographical boundaries of the country are called National Resources.

What Is Developed Resources?

The resources that have been utilized and humans have been discovered and developed over a long time. This resource is known as Developed Resources.

What Is Reserved Resources In Geography?

The resources that have been found, but have not been usefully used, but are expected to be useful in the future are called Reserved Resources.

What do you mean by Renewable Resources?

The resources which do not completely decay despite repeated use by man and can be replenished in various ways are called Renewable Resources.

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