Types of Natural Resources

    Natural resources are the components of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere essential for lif. These include energy, air, water, soil, minerals, plants and animals. The nature of resources is variety from society to society. Natural resources are grouped into two categories:
    (i) Renewable or Perpetual Resources: A renewable resources is one that may be replaced over time by natural processes, such as fish populations or natural vegetation, or is inexhaustible, such as solar energy and wind power. The goal of renewable resources conservation is to ensure that such resources are not consumed faster than they are replaced.
    (ii) Nonrenewable REsources: Non-renewable resources are those in limited supply that cannot be replaced or can be replaced only over extremely long periods of time. Nonrenewable resources include fossil fuels and mineral deposits, such as iron ore and gold ore. Conservation activities for nonrenewable resources focus on maintenance and adequate supply of these resources well into the future. However, water, forests and wildlife are renewable resources but can become non-renewable resources if they are not used properly.