Question
Give a brief description on the classification of natural resources.

Answer

Natural resources are broadly classified into four divisions:
  1. On the basis of level of development and use.
  2. On the basis of origin.
  3. On the basis of stock.
  4. On the basis of distribution.
  1. On the basis of level of development and use: Natural resources are divided into two sub-divisions that is actual resources and potential resources.
  1. Actual resources: Actual resources are those resources whose quantity is known and is used in the present.
  2. Potential resources: Potential resources are those resources whose entire quantity may not be known and these are not being used at present. These resources may be used in the future sometimes.
  1. On the basis of origin: On the basis of their origin, the natural resources can be biotic or abiotic.
  1. Biotic resources: Biotic resources include all the living resources and can reproduce.
  2. Abiotic resources: Abiotic resources are non-living resources and they cannot be renewed or reproduced.
  1. On the basis of stock: On the basis of stock, natural resources are of two types: renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
  1. Renewable resources: It can be used endlessly, as it is renewed or replenished quickly. Some of these are unlimited and are not affected by human activities.
  2. Non-renewable resources: These resources are limited in stock. Once they end up, then they cannot be replenished in a short period of time. It takes thousands of years to be renewed or replenished.
  1. On the basis of distribution: On the basis of distribution natural resources can be ubiquitous or localised.
  1. Ubiquitous resources: These resources are available everywhere on the earth like the air we breathe.
  2. Localised resources: These resources are found only in certain places on the earth like copper and iron-ore.

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