Environmental Science

NATURAL RESOURCES
NATURAL
RESOURCES
 Natural Resources
Natural Resources classification on the basis of
Exhaustibility

Perpetual Renewable Flow/ Continuous Non – Renewable

Resources (Sun, Resources Renewable Resources Resources
Wind, Water)

Living Renewable Resources

Recyclable
(Forest, Wildlife) Resources
(Ores,
Nutrients)
Non – Living Renewable Resources
(Minerals, Wind, Sun)

Non- Recyclable
Resources
(Fossil Fuels)
Natural Resources - Classification
▪Perpetual Resources: These are resources which exist irrespective of the
amount of their usage. Example : Sun, wind, Water
▪Renewable Resources: - The resources which can be renewed and reproduced
by physical, chemical or mechanical processes are known as renewable or re-
perishible resources.
▪Living Renewable (biological) Resources: These are those renewable
resources which come from living (biotic) sources – like forests, plants.
▪Non-Living Renewable Resources: These are those that renewable resources
which come from non-living (abiotic) sources like land, water, air. Example,
metals, minerals, wind, sun etc.
▪Continuous/ Flow Renewable Resources: These are resources which do not
need regeneration. Similar to that of perpetual resources for eg. Wind Tides
etc.
Natural Resources - Classification
Non-Renewable Resources: These are the resources which require long geological
time. Examples of such resources are minerals and fossil fuels. This may take millions of
years in their formation. Some of the resources like metals are recyclable and some like
fossils fuels cannot be recycled and as such they get exhausted with their use.
These can be further classified as Recyclable and Non-Recyclable resources:
Recyclable Resources: These are those Resources which can be processed to be used
again and again. For -e.g. ores of aluminium, copper, mercury etc., deposits of fertilizer
nutrients, phosphate sock and potassium and minerals used in their natural state like
asbestos, clay, mica etc
Non- Recyclable resources: These are those which once used perish, example coal.
These are non-renewable resources, which cannot be recycled in any way. Examples of
these are fossil fuels and uranium, which provide 90 per cent of our energy
requirements.
There are a few substances too which can be recycled a few times, before they
completely perish or turn non-renewable resources.
Natural Resources
Natural Resources

Exhaustible

Inexhaustible
Solar Energy Renewable Non-Renewable
Wind Power Water Biological
Rainfall Soil Minerals
Power of Tides Natural Vegetation
Hydro Power Wildlife
Aquatic life
Human
Forest Resources - Functions

Functions of Forest Resources:

◦ Productive Function
◦ Protective Functions
◦ Regulative Function
Forest Resources - Benefits

Benefits of Forest Resources:

◦ Prevent Soil Erosion
◦ Increase Soil Fertility
◦ Increase Water Table
◦ Maintenance of Temperature and Reduce Global Warming
◦ Reduce the concentration of Carbon Dioxide and Increase
Concentration of Oxygen in ambient Atmosphere
◦ Maintain Bio-Diversity
◦ Maintain Nutrient Cycling
◦ Aesthetical Benefits
◦ Provide Protective Cover for Wildlife
◦ Attract Rainfall
Forest Resources - Deforestation

Deforestation
Causes of Deforestation
◦ Shifting of Cultivation
◦ Explosion of Human Population
◦ Construction of Activities
◦ Mining Operations
◦ Overgrazing
◦ Improper Pests control
◦ Forest Fires
◦ Dams and Hydroelectric Projects
Forest Resources - Benefits

Effects of Deforestation
◦ Soil Erosion
◦ Increase in Climatic Temperature
◦ Lowering of Water Table
◦ Rise in Carbon-dioxide Concentration – GHE
◦ Disturbance in Hydrological Cycle
◦ Decrease in Rainfall
◦ Aggravation of Pollution Effects
◦ Threats of Floods, Droughts and Landslides
◦ Decline of Biodiversity
Forest Resources - Conservation
Forest Conservation is based on two Basic Principle:
◦ Sustainable Supply of Tree Products and services to people and
industry
◦ Maintenance of long term ecological balance through
protection, restoration and conservation of forest cover
Forest Conservation – Measures:
◦ Tree Felling = Tree Planting
◦ Special Programs for Tree Plantations (Van Mahotsava)
◦ Minimising Waste and Use
◦ Pest Control and Control of Forest Fires
◦ Implementation of Rules and Regulation
◦ Discouraging Cattle Grazing
◦ Investigation Environmental Education
Water Resources - Forms

Forms of Water Resources are:

Groundwater
Surface water
Frozen Water
De-salined Water
Water Resources - Uses

Uses of Water Resources are:

▪ Agricultural
▪ Domestic
▪ Fire Fighting -
▪ Industrial
▪ Recreation – Maintenance of Parks, Public Toilets govt. places, Public Places,
Restaurants, Cinema Halls…
▪ Environmental - Wastewater, Water Treatment Plants and Sewer maintenance
Water Resources - Stress

Causes of Water Stress are:

Population Growth
◦ Industrialisation
◦ Rapid Urbanisation

Climate Change
Depletion of Aquifers (Ground Water)
Water Pollution
Water Resources – Related Problems
Problems related to water resources are:
Floods
1. Urban Flooding - Caused because of Change in surface from
porous to rigid negligible
2. Natural Flooding – Deposition Rivers when its summer
3. Flash Flooding – Areas close to coastline – High Tide
Droughts = Natural Arid Droughts
Water Crisis = Failure of Infrastructure
Water Resources – Conservation

Main Approaches (A3R)for Water Conservation are:

▪ Increase in Irrigation Efficiency
▪ Reduction in use and losses
▪ Recycling of Used Water – Industries, Residential Areas, Commercial
Areas Large Institutional Areas
▪ Rainwater Harvesting – use during monsoon or groundwater
recharge – Reduces consumption during monsoon – create water
reserve
▪ Protection of Watershed – Avoiding disposal of untreated water to
water bodies, Reducing use of pesticides and fertilizers – Avoiding
flooding
▪ A3R – Avoid+ Reduce+ Reuse+ Recycle (After Treatment)
Water Resources – Management

Management Approaches for Sustainable Supply of Water are:

Construction of Dams and Water Reservoirs – As can create hydro
power and improve hydrological cycle in the area
Desalination of Saline Water – Large Volume Available
Diversion of Water in drier areas – Hydrological cycle in Arid
Areas
Dredging and De-siltation of Rivers, Streams etc. – to reduce
floods
Water Resources – Dams

Benefits of Dams are:

Hydroelectricity Generation
Ensuring Year Round Supply of Water
Transfer of Water to the areas of deficit
Flood Control and Soil Protection
Irrigation During Dry periods
Inland Water Navigation
Water Resources – Dams

Problems of Dams are:

▪ Submergence of Large Areas (Fertile Land)
▪ Resettlement of displaced people
▪ Creation of Reservoirs – water logging and problems
▪ Trigger Seismic activity
▪ Losses through porous strata and evaporation
Mineral Resources
Mineral Resources refers to mining and Mining refers to process of
taking out minerals (Metal and non Metals) from earth in the form
of ores.
There are two methods of Mining:
•Surface Mining (ores are available at shallow depth that is upto
3m from the ground surface level)
–Open Pit – Dig pits of 1*1*1.5 depth
–Dredging
–Strip Mining
•Sub-Surface Mining – Tunnelling – Vertical followed by horizontal
Mineral Resources - Effects

The Effects of Mining are:

•De-vegetation and Defacing of Landscape
•Subsidence of Land
•Deforestation
•Soil Erosion
•Barren Land Formation
•Ground Water Contamination – Lead, Arsenic, Chromium etc
•Air Pollution
•Occupational Health Hazards
•Transportation of Ores
Mineral Resources – Social Impacts

The Social Impacts of Mining on Large Scale are:

•Large influx of Habitation
•Additional Burdening on Social Bodies
•Habitant occupying Agricultural Lands
•Disturbance to Local Habitat
Mineral Resources – Conservation
The methods of Mineral conservation are:
•Reclamation
•Recycling
•Substitution
•More Efficient Use
Land Resources

The land sources is the life support system – Lithosphere

The causes of Land Degradation are:
• Soil Erosion
• Water Logging
• Salination
• Shifting of Cultivation
• Desertification
• Rapid and Urban Development
Land Resources - Conservation

The methods of Land Resources Conservation are:

• Organic Farming
• Crop Rotation
• Contour Ploughing
• Terrace Farming
• Mulching
• Strip Cropping
• Agro-sto-logical Methods
• Afforestation
Energy Resources – Non Renewable
The Non Renewable Energy Resources are:
•Fossil Fuels
–Solid (Coal, Peat)
–Liquid (Petroleum)
–Gaseous (LPG)
•Nuclear Energy (Uranium – 235)
Energy Resources – Renewable

The Renewable Energy Resources are:

•Solar Energy
–Direct – Thermal or Photovoltaic Conversion
–Indirect – Biomass Energy (Biogas Plant)
•Hydro-Electric- Energy (Hydropower)
•Geo-Thermal Energy
•Wind Power
•Tidal Energy
Solar Energy
Biomass Energy – Biogas Plant
Biomass Energy – Biogas Plant
Hydropower Energy
Geothermal Energy
Wind Power Energy
Tidal Energy
Role Of Individual: Conservation of
Natural Resources

Forest Resources
Water Resources
Energy Resources
Land Resources
Role Of Individual Conservation of
Environment
Atmosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Consumerism and Waste Products

• Consumerism
• Over Consumerism
• Excessive Waste Product Generation
Thank you