We human beings are dependent on various biotic and abiotic factors available in different ecosystems for our day-to-day needs. Such useful materials, which we take from ecosystems for direct use (e.g. water) or making materials are called natural resources. Some of them are abiotic in origin while others are obtained from living beings.
Water, sunlight, oxygen, metals etc. are called abiotic natural resources. A normal person requires around 11000 liters of air (550 liters of oxygen) and at least 2 liters of water per day to keep her/ him alive. We extract various minerals and metals also from the ecosystems for making various materials required for our day-to-day needs.
We need the support of various biotic factors (known as biotic natural resources) also to survive on the earth. Various kinds of crop plants (food grains, vegetables) and livestock (goat, sheep, cow, pig) provide us with the food materials. Bees pollinate our crops and help the flowers to develop into fruits.
We also get various medicine (e.g. medicinal plants, antibiotics obtained from fungus), clothing material (sourced from cotton plants, wool) etc. also from different organisms. Although coal and petroleum, which is used for generating energy, required for various needs of humans are abiotic in nature, they come under the category biotic resources. This is because these fuels are formed from the plants and animal materials deposited under the soil millions of years ago.
Renewable and non-renewable natural resources
Some of the natural resources such as water are replaced naturally. A natural resource that could be replenished is known as renewable resources. However, the recovery of certain renewable resource also may take long years (e.g. forest). Although trees are renewable resource they take many years to grow.
However, non-renewable resources such as minerals, petroleum coal etc. cannot be replaced once we use them. Non-renewable resources are those resources, which either do not form naturally or take very long time to form.
We need to maintain the balance between various biotic factors and abiotic factors present in our environment; if the balance is changed, we human life will be affected. Hence the judicious use of natural resources is essential to make sure that they are available to us in future also.
Discussion
Could we humans live without any ecosystem?
Are we a part of it or do we control it?
Where will you put humans - as producers or consumers? Why?
Human and ecosystems
Water, sunlight, oxygen, metals etc. are called abiotic natural resources. A normal person requires around 11000 liters of air (550 liters of oxygen) and at least 2 liters of water per day to keep her/ him alive. We extract various minerals and metals also from the ecosystems for making various materials required for our day-to-day needs.
We need the support of various biotic factors (known as biotic natural resources) also to survive on the earth. Various kinds of crop plants (food grains, vegetables) and livestock (goat, sheep, cow, pig) provide us with the food materials. Bees pollinate our crops and help the flowers to develop into fruits.
We also get various medicine (e.g. medicinal plants, antibiotics obtained from fungus), clothing material (sourced from cotton plants, wool) etc. also from different organisms. Although coal and petroleum, which is used for generating energy, required for various needs of humans are abiotic in nature, they come under the category biotic resources. This is because these fuels are formed from the plants and animal materials deposited under the soil millions of years ago.
Renewable and non-renewable natural resources
Some of the natural resources such as water are replaced naturally. A natural resource that could be replenished is known as renewable resources. However, the recovery of certain renewable resource also may take long years (e.g. forest). Although trees are renewable resource they take many years to grow.
However, non-renewable resources such as minerals, petroleum coal etc. cannot be replaced once we use them. Non-renewable resources are those resources, which either do not form naturally or take very long time to form.
Discussion