Natural Resources, Ecosystems, and Environmental Challenges
Natural Resources
Life on this planet depends upon a large number of things and services provided by nature, which are known as natural resources. Thus, water, air, soil, minerals, coal, forests, crops, and wildlife are all examples of natural resources.
Renewable Resources
These are resources that can be replenished naturally within a human lifespan, such as solar energy, wind energy, water, and biomass.
Non-Renewable Resources
These are resources that exist in finite quantities and cannot be replenished at a rate that keeps pace with consumption, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and minerals.
A mineral is a naturally occurring substance of definite chemical composition and identifiable physical properties. An ore is a mineral or combination of minerals from which a useful substance, such as a metal, can be extracted and used to manufacture a useful product. Food is typically derived from plants or animals and contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. This substance is ingested by an organism and assimilated by its cells to provide energy, sustain life, or stimulate growth.
Renewable Energy Sources
These resources can be generated continuously and are inexhaustible. They are available in plenty and are the cleanest sources of energy available on this planet. Examples include wood, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, tidal energy, geothermal energy, forests, etc. They have low carbon emissions; therefore, they are considered green and environmentally friendly.
Non-Renewable Energy Sources
They are natural resources that cannot be regenerated once they are exhausted. They cannot be used again. They are not environmentally friendly and can have a serious effect on our health. Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear fuels. Non-renewable sources release toxic gases in the air when burnt, which are the major cause of global warming.
Ecosystem
A natural functional ecological unit comprising living organisms (biotic community) and their non-living (abiotic or physicochemical) environment that interact to form a stable self-supporting system. The living community of plants and animals in any area, together with the non-living components of the environment such as soil, air, and water, constitute the ecosystem.
Biotic Components
Refer to all the living organisms present in an ecosystem; includes plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms.
Characteristics
- Capable of growth, reproduction, and metabolism.
- Interact with each other through food chains, competition, and symbiotic relationships.
- Adapt to their environment to survive and reproduce.
Abiotic Components
Refer to the non-living factors that influence these organisms; includes sunlight, water, air, minerals, and soil.
Characteristics
- Physical or chemical factors.
- Influence the distribution, abundance, and behavior of living organisms.
- Can be limiting factors for the growth and survival of organisms.
