Question

Describe natural resources with reference to the following three types.

(a) Mineral resources
(b) Forest resources
(c) Ocean resources

Answer 1

a. Mineral resources: A mineral is a pure inorganic substance that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust. A large part of the Earth’s crust is made up of minerals. A mineral deposit is a concentration of naturally occurring solid, liquid, or gaseous material, in or on the Earth’s crust in such form and amount that its extraction and its conversion into useful materials or items is useful. Mineral resources are non-renewable and include metals, such as, iron, copper, and aluminum; and non-metals, such as, salt, gypsum and clay.

b. Forest resources: A forest is defined as an extensive land which is covered by a variety of plants and is a habitat for various species of animals. We know that forests have an important role in the existence of life on earth. These are one of the precious resources which have various functions like:

• prevent soil erosion
• control floods
• reduce the rate of evaporation
• maintain balance of atmospheric gases
• protect wildlife
• help percolation of water into the ground
• reduce the velocity of wind
• provide food and shelter to various kinds of animals
• provide us with wood, essential oils, gums, fruits etc.

c. Ocean resources: Oceans are also important resources and this can be understood by the fact that they cover greater part of earth's surface than land itself. The resources which can be obtained from oceans can be of two types-

Mineral resources- Most of the minerals are obtained from oceans, for example, thorium (used in atomic energy production), magnesium (used in flash bulb of camera), sodium (used in production of cloth and paper.

Bio resources- Examples of bio resources from oceans include fishes, shells, fungi, shark and cod fish, sea cucumbers etc.