Natural Resources on Earth - Essay Example

Natural Resources on Earth Natural resources on earth refer resources that are naturally occurring on the earth. These resources occur in nature without any external or internal influence. The occurrence as well as existence of such resources is independent of any interference, modification as well as any other influence from humanity. Natural resources on earth are often characterized in relation to the amounts of biodiversity that is contained within them (Barbier, 53). Some natural resources are always endowed with a vast proportion of biodiversity. As such, the species richness as well as the species diversity in such natural resources is always high rated. It is of crucial significance to note that the natural resources on earth have several services as well as provisions to the humanity. People always derive several benefits from the natural resources on earth. It is imperative to acknowledge the fact that some of the natural resources on earth are essential for human survival. A number of such resources are majorly used to satisfy the wants of humanity. It is of critical importance to note that several forms of natural resources occur on earth. Some of these may involve living things whereas a number of the natural resources found on earth are inanimate (Barbier, 67). However, they are all useful to humanity in several ways regardless of their natural states. It is of crucial significance to acknowledge the fact that almost everything that human beings use comprise of several components of natural resources derived from the environment. These may range from food products, clothing, sanitary items, transportation devices, health facilities as well as building materials. Some of the examples of the natural resources found on earth include the vegetation, water, soil as well as rocks. In addition, the wildlife, animals as well as other organisms may also be categorized as amongst the natural resources found on earth. Moreover, the other natural resources found on earth include the natural gas, air, metals as well as minerals (Barbier, 78). These resources occur naturally on the earth surface and are used to satisfy the human needs as well as impact upon the survival of human beings. It is of critical significance to understand the fact that natural resources found on earth may be classified under several categories. The categories of classification of such natural resources may be dependent on several factors. These factors may involve the basis of origin of those natural resources. On the basis of origin of natural resources, the natural resources found on earth can be classified into two main categories. Based on the nature of origin, natural resources can either be biotic or abiotic (Barbier, 85). Biotic is a term mainly associated with life, as well as living organisms. Therefore, it is imperative to understand that biotic resources refer to those resources that emanate from the biosphere. These comprise of the living things, their products as well as the organic materials. Examples of biotic natural resources include the forests as well as animals. However, on the part of being organic, some of the biotic natural resources in this group may include the fossil fuels. Examples of such fossil fuels include coal as well as petroleum (Peacock, 57). Coal and petroleum are categorized under abiotic materials or resources found on earth because they are derived from the decayed organic matter from the organisms. The other factor of consideration for classifying natural resources on earth is the stages of development of such resources. In this regard, the natural resources can be categorized as potential resources as well as actual resources. Potential resources are those resources that are found in a region but they have not been quantified, though they have the ability for future use. Potential resources are those natural resources that may be of future benefits as well as stand a chance of being used in future (Barbier, 43). Examples of potential natural resources include petroleum occurring in rocks until that time they are drilled and put to use. Before drilling, petroleum will continue existing in such a region as a potential natural resource. The other form in relation to stage of development is the actual resources. Actual natural resources are those resources that have been surveyed and their value has been determined appropriately. They are those resources that are already in use for various purposes. Renewability may also be another factor for consideration in classifying the natural resources. In this perspective, natural resources can be either renewable or non-renewable. This depends on the nature of their states with regards to utilization. Renewable natural resources are those resources that can be naturally replenished upon their use (Hackett, 67). However, is it of crucial significance to note that renewable resources always take a considerably long time to be replenished. Renewable natural resources are always prone to depletion following the fact that human beings always overexploit them. However, in order to keep in check the overexploitation of such resources that may lead to their depletion, there is the need to ensure sustainable usage of such resources. Examples of renewable natural resources found on earth include wind, air, vegetation as well as sunlight. The other form of resources in relation to renewability is the non-renewable natural resources. These resources cannot be replenished upon depletion. This follows that they always form very slowly or may totally fail to form in the environment. Examples of the non-renewable natural resources include the minerals (Hackett, 75). Fossil fuels can also fall under this group of non-renewable natural resources found on earth. This follows that the rate at which human beings utilize as well as consume them far outdoes the rate at which they regenerate. It is of crucial significance to note that the natural resources on earth have several benefits to the environment as well as to human beings. The natural resources on earth perform several ecological functions and services (Hackett, 25). These may range from provisioning services, regulatory as well as protection services and functions. The natural resources on earth are responsible for maintenance of the hydrological cycle. In this regard, the natural resources on earth may affect the hydrology in several perspectives. The influence of natural resources on hydrology may influence the occurrence of rains as well as the patterns of rainfall (Hackett, 35). This is closely related to climate regulation, which is also one of the functions of the natural resources on earth. In addition, the natural resources on earth are responsible for nutrient cycling on the earth surface. This helps in enriching the soil, making the soil fertile thereby resulting to flourishing vegetation that accommodates a high diversity of species as well as impact positively on agriculture. The natural resources on earth are very beneficial since they regulate the temperature of the environment. In relation to this, the natural resources including the vegetation may lead to modification of the weather and temperatures. This makes the environment suitable for habitation by organisms. This leads to an increase in species richness and diversity in such regions where such extreme environmental conditions have been modified by the natural resources (Peacock, 45). Natural resources are also important in keeping the quality of air and water clean. Natural resources sequester the carbon from the atmosphere, absorb toxic gases from the atmosphere as well as trap dust particles that may contribute to pollution of the atmosphere. This makes the air clean thereby reducing airborne diseases. On the same note, natural resources trap the sediments as well as wastes that may reach water bodies leading to pollution of water. This helps make the water clean thus facilitating good health for water users as well as aquatic organisms. Natural resources on earth are also beneficial since they are sources of food, food products, raw materials for industrial processes as well as habitats for wildlife (Hackett, 41). However, it is imperative to note that several threats face the natural resources on earth. Some of these threats include deforestation, overexploitation as well as pollution (Peacock, 65). Pollution of the environment leads to deterioration of the health and quality of the environment. This negatively influences the natural resources on earth. The polluted environments may always lead to deterioration of the ecosystem health. As a result, the ecosystem will fail to deliver its services and functions normally. Increased incidences of environmental pollution may lead to bioaccumulation of toxic elements in the surrounding. This may contribute towards affecting the health of the biotic natural resources as well as negatively impact on the abiotic resources. This may lead to death of vegetation, forests as well as organisms depending on them for shelter and food. Overexploitation is also an issue of concern in relation to natural resources on earth. Overexploitation may lead to depletion of such resources (Peacock, 74). This may hinder the normal functioning of the ecosystem relevant to provision of services as well as functions of the ecosystem. Works Cited Barbier, Edward. Natural Resources and Economic Development. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Print. Hackett, Steven C. Environmental and Natural Resources Economics: Theory, Policy, and the Sustainable Society. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2011. Print. Peacock, Kathy W. Natural Resources and Sustainable Development. New York: Facts On File, 2008. Internet resource. Read More