Natural resources can be categorized based on their origin, development level, distribution, and availability. Land is an important natural resource that covers 29% of the Earth's surface and provides resources like agriculture. However, human activities like deforestation and improper land use can lead to land degradation and desertification. Deforestation removes forest cover which protects soil and regulates climate, causing issues like soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and increased global warming. Water is another key natural resource sourced from groundwater and surface water, but there are conflicts over water access and distribution between countries and regions. Energy resources include both conventional sources like coal, oil, gas, and nuclear as well as non-conventional renewable sources like solar, wind,

1. Natural Resources
By- Dr. Gauri Awati

2. Definition
Resource is a main source or supply from which benefit is produced
and has some utility. The elements of nature are not resources until
people have found a value for them.

3. Natural Resources can be categorized as-
• On the basis of level of development.
i)Actual: Quantity is known
ii)Potential: Quantity is unknown
• On the basis of origin.
i)Biotic
ii)Abiotic
• On the basis of distribution.
i)Ubiquitous Resources
ii)Localized Resources
On the basis of availability.
i)Renewable
ii)Non-renewable

4. Land as a Resource
• Covers up to 29% of Earth’s surface.
• Important resources.

5. Types of Land Resources
• Recreational
• Transport
• Agriculture
• Residential
• Commercial

6. Land Degradation
Land degradation is caused by multiple forces, including extreme
weather conditions, particularly droughts. It is also caused by human
activities.

7. Desertification
• Process leading to desert formation
• Natural phenomenon linked to climate change
• Removal of vegetal cover
• Improper land use practices
• Often starts as patchy destruction
• May be temporary or permanent
• Accelerates soil erosion

8. Causes of Desertification
• Climatic Factors
• Human factors
• Interaction between climate and culture

9. Forests
Uses of forests-
• Production of oxygen
• Reducing global warming
• Habits for wildlife
• Regulation of hydrological cycle
• Soil conservation
• Pollution moderators

10. Deforestation
Removal of forest cover.
Destruction of biotic potential of land leads to desertification.
Continuous deforestation results in zero forests

11. Causes of Deforestation
• Shifting cultivation
• Fuel requirements
• Raw materials for industrial use
• Development projects
• Growing food needs
• Overgrazing

12. Effects of Deforestation
• Threatens to wildlife species
• Loss of biodiversity
• Hydrological cycle gets affected
• Problems of soil erosion
• Loss of fertile soil
• Landslides occur in hilly region
• Global warming

13. Soil Erosion
The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is
described as soil erosion. Soil Formation and soil erosion are
simultaneous and are usually balanced. But, they get unbalanced due
to human activities.

14. Causes of soil erosion
Human Activities:-
• Deforestation
• Over-grazing
• Construction
• Defective farming methods
• Mining, etc.
Natural Phenomena:-
• Wind
• Water
• Glacier

15. Effects of Soil Erosion
Effects of soil erosion
• Degrades quality of land.
• Reduced ability of soil to store water and minerals
• Loss of newly-planted crops

16. Water Resources

17. Sources of water
• Ground water
• Surface water

18. Uses of water
• Irrigation
• Industrial
• Domestic

19. Conflicts
• Water conflict in the Middle east –Sudan, Egypt, Turkey
• The Indus Water treaty-India, Pakistan
• The Cauvery Water dispute- Tamilnadu, Karnataka
• The Satluj- Yamuna link canal Punjab, Haryana

20. Energy Resources

21. Conventional Sources of Energy
• Coal
• Mineral oil and natural gas
• Fire wood
• Nuclear power
• Hydro power

22. Non conventional Sources of Energy
• Solar Energy
• Wind Energy
• Tidal Energy
• Geothermal Energy
• Biomass based Energy