Natural Resources

Natural Resources

A natural resource is defined as a natural material found on earth that is useful

for humans in some way. It is often processed of manufactured in order for it to

meet the needs of a society. Resources then differ spatially, as different people

have different needs and therefore require different resources, and temporally

as a society grows and advances their needs will change and so to their

resources. Natural resources range from minerals and metals to people (their

labor and skills). (Kleeman 1997, Pashley 1996, Plant 1998)

In this response 2 major sample studies will be used, these are, water and

energy (in the form of uranium) on a variety of scales.

Reference List

Internet

The Uranium Information Centre.

http://www.uic.com.au/

Sydney water

http://www.sydneywater.com.au/

Sydney Catchment Authority

http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.urg.org.au/waste/pangea.htm

http://www.mirrar.net/

Book

KLEEMAN (1997) Global Interactions: A Senior Geography Rigby Heinemann,

Australia

PLANT (1998) Get Smart Study Guide Science Press, Australia

PASHLEY (1996) Excel HSC Pascal Press, Australia

Natural resources are natural materials found on earth that is useful for

humans in some way (Kleeman 1997) They can be divided into categories.

Diagram 1 shows the 4 types of natural resources and an example of each.

From the above we can see that coal is an example of an exhaustible resource,

this means there exists a finite stocks. These resources are non renewable in the

ascertainable future. Renewable resources, have the potential to be renewed.

Forests will be replenished over time after they have been harvested for human

n...

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...ines this limits supply.

Conclusion

Natural resources are present in different categories : exhaustible, renewable,

recyclable and continuous. On a global scale spatial and temporal variations on

the distribution and production and consumption rates and levels exist.

Differences in production and consumption of natural resources arise because of

environmental, social, economic, and political factors. In the finding, processing,

consuming, producing, and development of natural resources issues emanate.

These issues include that of a social, political, economic, environmental, and

technological nature, But management strategies are formed and utilized to

confront these issues. Management strategies are based on the conservation of

natural resources and maximizing their efficiency in meeting the needs of society

without damaging people or the environment.