Natural resource management

Introduction

Natural resources are derived from the environment. People depend on natural resources for their survival. Natural resources can be the land, the soil, the water, the air, the plants and the animals. All life on earth depends on four vital natural resources such as air, water, soil and sunlight.  Some resources that can be replaced after use by natural processes are called renewable. The common examples include air, water, soil, living organisms and sunlight.  Natural resources that cannot be replaced are termed non-renewable. Fossil fuels are an example of non-renewable natural resources. Non-renewable resources exist in a fixed amount and can be replaced by processes that take millions of years. Extracting, processing and using natural resources create pollution of air, water and land. But sustainable conservation is using natural resources wisely and not contributing to any environmental pollution.

Definition of natural resource

A resource is a form of matter or energy which is essential for the functioning of organisms, populations and ecosystems.

In other words, natural resources are the materials or substances obtained from nature which are required for the survival and prosperity of human beings.

Types of natural resources

Natural resources can be classified on the basis of their origin as abiotic and biotic resources.

Abiotic resources are derived from the non-living world. e.g. land, water, air.

Biotic resources are derived from living organisms. E.g. fish, forests.

Natural resources are mostly classified on the basis of their continual utility as renewable and non-renewable resources.

Renewable natural resources – Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished naturally in a short period of time. These resources are inexhaustible in supply. These resources have the ability to regenerate within a few years or decades. Renewable resources are vulnerable to human abuse. E.g. freshwater, oxygen, trees and fish. Renewable natural resources can be either organic (e.g. plant and animal species) or inorganic renewable natural resources (e.g. water, air)

Non-renewable natural resources – A non-renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be re-made or re-grow at a scale comparable to its consumption. They are fixed in quantity and can be depleted. They take very long time to form. The replenishment time may range from 100s to million years.  The extraction of non-renewable resources always damages the environment. Coal, oil and natural gas are considered non-renewable because they take million of years to form. They are the product of the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals that have been exposed to heat and pressure deep within the earth’s crust. Hence these resources are called fossil fuels. E.g. metals, minerals and fossil fuels.

Non-renewable natural resources can be subdivided into recyclable and non-recyclable resources.

Recyclable natural resources are those that can be collected after their use and can be recycled for future requirements. E.g. metals.

Some natural resources are called non-recyclable because they cannot be recycled after their use. E.g.fossil fuels, natural energy.

All natural resources can also be classified on the basis of their natural amounts of availability into two categories:

1.    Inexhaustible natural resources

2.     Exhaustible natural resources

Inexhaustible natural resources are available in huge amounts in the nature and are replenished after their consumption.  E.g. solar energy, wind power, rain fall, tidal power and hydropower.

Exhaustible natural resources are available in limited amounts in the nature and are not replenished at the same rate as consumption. E.g. fossil fuels, metals and minerals.

Natural resources can also be classified into potential and actual natural resources based on their stage of development.

1.    Potential natural resources

2.     Actual natural resources

Potential natural resources – are the resources which are found in a region whose quality and quantity have not been determined for utilization. They can be used only in the future. E.g.  Distribution of mineral oil wealth in India.

Actual natural resources – are the resources whose quality and quantity have been determined for utilization and are being used in the present time. E.g. availability of oil and natural gas from Mumbai offshore region.

Flow natural resources – It does not remain in one location and moves about because of natural actions in the physical environment. It is replaced by natural processes whether humans use them or not. The quantity is expressed in annual rates. E.g. solar energy, freshwater, waves and tides.

Stock natural resources – It can be permanently expended and whose quantity is usually expressed in absolute amounts. E.g. coal and petroleum deposits.

Forest resources

Forests are a highly valuable and most abundant resource. They are diverse in composition and density. Forests cover about 30% of the earth’s surface. They are inhabited by a variety life forms.  Forests have warm climate with adequate rainfall.  Forests have tall and dense trees with many wild animals. The soil of the forests is rich in organic matter and nutrients. Forests play a major role in the water cycle, which includes circulation, transformation and replenishment of freshwater from all of earth’s ecosystems. Forests are essential for the conservation of biodiversity, water and soil resources. Forests contribute substantially to the economic development of a country. Forests are usually defined as land areas dominated by trees, where the tree canopy covers at least 10% of the ground area.  A healthy forest is composed of many more unique ecosystems. Over two – thirds of known land-based species live in forests.  In other words forests are home to 50-90% of earth’s species. In many countries, forests are the primary targets for agricultural and urban expansion.

Importance of forests

Forests are an important renewable natural resource.  Forests are the natural wealth of a country. They are the store houses of biodiversity. Forests provide various goods and services and also maintain the life-support systems of the  earth. Forests provide approximately 1.6 billion people with food, medicines, fuel and other basic necessities. Forests have the following three types of functions:

1.    Productive functions – Forests yield timber, bamboos, food and a variety of products such as alkaloids, essential oils, resins, latex, rubber and medicines.

2.    Protective functions – Forests conserve soil and water. They prevent drought and protect against wind, cold, heat, radiation and noise.

3.    Regulative functions – Forests absorb, store and release gases, water, minerals and sun light. They regulate floods, droughts and biogeochemical cycles.

Deforestation

Deforestation is the direct human-induced conversion of forest to non-forest land use such as agriculture, grazing or urban/industrial development. Deforestation is defined as the destruction of forest due to over-cutting of trees.

Effects of deforestation

Deforestation causes irreversible environmental damage. Deforestation accelerates extinction of plants,  animals and microbes. Deforestation disrupts cloud formation and rainfall. Deforestation threatens the livelihoods of tribal communities.

Deforestation increases soil erosion and decreases soil fertility. Deforestation increases greenhouse gases and warming of the environment.

Conservation and management of forests

An increase in forest area is initiated by  the following ways:

1.    Afforestation programmes- planting of trees on land that was not previously forested.

2.    Reforestation programmes- re-establishment of forest formation.

3.    Conservation of reserve forests - forests are protected in National parks, Sanctuaries, Sacred Grooves and Biosphere reserves.

4.    Chipko movement – This tree hugging movement was first started in Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarkhand in 1972. The movement was popularized by Sunderlal Bahuguna . Under this campaign, people started hugging trees whenever forest contractors tried to cut the trees.

5.    Production or commercial forestry – includes three programmes i.e. social forestry, agro forestry and urban forestry.

Mineral resources

Minerals are a major form of non-renewable resource. A rock is an aggregate of minerals. Minerals are formed over a period of millions of years in the earth’s crust. Mineral are naturally occurring inorganic compounds of definite chemical composition and characteristic physical properties.

A mineral can be defined as a pure element or chemical compound that is normally crystalline and that has been formed as a result of geological processes.

 There are more than 3,500 known minerals. Minerals range in composition from pure elements and simple salts to very complex silicates. The study of minerals is called mineralogy. Global distribution of minerals is not uniform. Minerals can be grouped into two broad categories:

1.    Metallic minerals – These mineral are found in the form of ores. The metal ores contain several impurities. E.g. iron, copper, gold and lead.

2.    Non-metallic minerals – these minerals are composed of elements like silicon, oxygen, calcium, magnesium, iron, aluminium etc. E.g  quartz, graphite, feldspar, dolomite, calcite, laterite, diamonds, sulphur, potash, salts, coal and petroleum.

Conservation of mineral resources

1.    Recycling – minerals in products can be recycled.

2.    Reuse – the reuse products more economical

3.    Substitution – scarce minerals can be substituted with more abundant minerals.

4.    Decreased consumption – consumers can decrease their mineral consumption.

5.    Use of industrial waste – one industry may use the waste products of another industry.

Water resources

Water is a renewable and limiting resource. It covers approximately 71% of the planet earth and constitutes 60-70 weight % of the living world. About 97.5 percent of the water on earth is strongly saline (sea water) the remaining 2.5 percent is freshwater. Pure, usable freshwater is only 0.3 percent.  Freshwater is therefore, a treasure to protect and conserve.  Water is a unique molecule because it is the only natural substance that exists in three physical states like liquid, solid (ice) and gas (steam) on earth.   Water is often referred to as a universal solvent because it has an unusual ability to dissolve other chemical substances. Water is the cellular medium within which all biochemical reactions can occur in living organisms. It is the transport medium for food, oxygen and other things needed by cells. Water is one of the vital elements for human life. The total amount of freshwater on earth is 1.4 billion cubic kilometres, but only around 41000 km³ circulates through hydrologic cycle. All the freshwater on earth comes from the rainfall. The amount of rainfall that falls on the continents is finite.

Sources of freshwater resources

Surface water – the freshwater exists in surface water bodies like streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands and man-made reservoirs. It is the most important resource of freshwater available for agricullure, industrial and domestic uses. The surface water flows in our country through 14 major rivers viz. Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, Cauveri, Tapti, Mahi etc.

Ground water - the freshwater, which is received through rainfall, infiltrates into the soil and supplements underground water reserves. The hydrologic data suggests that the annual rainfall in India is about 400 m ha m. According to an estimate about 9.86% of the total freshwater resources are in the form of ground water. Of all freshwaters, ground water is less likely to be get polluted.

Integrated water resources management (IWRM)

IWRM has been defined as “a coordinated, goal-directed process for controlling the development and use of river, lake, ocean, wetland and other water assets”. It is a comprehensive approach for implementing efficient, equitable and sustainable solution to water and development problems.

Sustainable water management

1.    Construct dams and many small reservoirs.

2.    Develop small catchment dams and protect wetlands.

3.    Desalinize sea water into usable water.

4.    Divert freshwater canals/rivers to dry areas.

5.    Dredge and desilt rivers and water bodies regularly.

Food resources

Food is one of the basic needs of every living organism. Good food is indispensable for health and well being of humans at all stages of life. The food is composed of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The body uses some of the molecules in food to function correctly and stay healthy. The key to good health lies in maintaining balanced nutrition. The major source of human food includes plants or plant products and animal products. The plant products include cereals, pulses, vegetables fruits and spices. The animal products constitute milk or milk products, eggs and meat. Agricultural crops  constitute an important food resource. About 300 crops are grown for food and only 100 are used on a large scale.

Of the earth’s 30,000 plants with edible parts, we eat only about 30 plants. Of this only 15 plants and 8 animal species supply 90% of our food. Four crops such as wheat, rice, corn and potato make up more of the world’s total food production than all others combined. Grain provides about half the world’s calories with 2/3 people eat mainly vegetarian diet. As incomes rise, people consume more animal proteins in the form of meat, eggs, milk, cheese and other products of domesticated live stock. Fruits and vegetables also make a large contribution to human diet. They contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and complex carbohydrates. Domesticated animals form an important food source. The major domesticated animals used as food are ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats, camel, reindeer etc.

Negative Impact of modern agriculture

1.    Declining genetic diversity – leads to loss of genetic diversity of indigenous crop varieties. Selective  farming   causes unformity of crops, monocultures and disease outbreaks.

2.    Soil erosion – Clearing  land for farming may result in soil erosion.

3.    Salinization of soil – soil builds up salt concentration due water logging. Intensive farming reduces soil fertility and productivity.

4.    Desertification – over-grazing is responsible for desertification.

5.    Fertilizer pollution – excessive accumulation of nitrates and phosphates is soil. Rainwater run off cause eutrophication of  surface water bodies and contamination of ground water.

6.    Pesticide pollution – over use of herbicides and insecticides cause chemical contamination of soil; pesticides can enter food chains; pesticides kill beneficial soil organisms.

7.    Other impacts – farming takes up land and reducing habitats and wildlife; irrigation (watering of crops) may take too much of water from rivers and deprive downstream habitats of water.

Sustainable Agriculture

A sustainable agriculture must be economically viable, socially responsible and ecologically sound. An agriculture that uses up or degrade its natural resource base or pollutes the natural environment eventually will lose its ability to produce. Such agriculture is not sustainable.

World food problems

In 1960s, the Green Revolution and advances in technology greatly increased the food production in many countries. There is a saying that “there is plenty of food on the planet, it is just a problem of distribution.” Global demand for food increased as a function of population growth for several decades. At one stage, the world human population surpassed the global food production. After 2001, the agriculture around the world was drastically affected by extreme weather conditions. Diseases affecting the crops and livestock have devastating effects on food production. By 2006, world cereal production has fallen by 2.1 percent. The prices for basic foods such as rice, wheat, and corn have risen 83% since 2005. Many countries experience perpetual food shortages. This results in widespread hunger and malnutrition.

Food security – refers to the availability of food and one’s access to it. Food security is the availability of enough food and access to all people at all times for an active and healthy life. The WHO defines three facets of food security:

1.    Food availability – availability of sufficient quantities of food on a consistent basis.

2.    Food access – sufficient household income to obtain appropriate foods.

3.    Food use – access to safe water, good sanitation and basic health care can make a difference in nutritional well being. They have an impact on body’s ability to utilize consumed foods.

Land resources

Land is one of the major life supporting systems. Land occupies 38% (one fifth) of the total earth’s space. Soil covers about four fifth of the land area. Soil is a biologically active, complex mixture of minerals, organic materials, living organisms, air and water. Soil is an interface between biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Soil is the outer most layer of the earth’s crust (Earth’s living skin-1/3 of surface). Soil is a vital resource that provides food, feed, fuel and fiber.

Soils have four major components: mineral matter, organic matter, air, and water. Mineral matter contains three fractions, sand, silt, and clay. Organic matter contains appreciable quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Air and water occupy the pore spaces in soils. A fertile soil is a living soil containing billions of living organisms in every cubic centimetre. Plant nutrients in the soil are regularly regenerated by decay, decomposition and mineralization of organic matter by living organisms. Living communities in the soil are the basis for its fertility and other properties, which promote healthy plant life. Depletion of soil fertility is caused by removal of vegetation, water logging and application of non-degradable chemicals.

Sustainable Soil Conversion

1. Conservational tillage – ploughing improves soil permeability, soil moisture and nutrients.

2. Organic farming – More organic inputs to soil.

3. Crop rotation – growing legumes after cereal crops.

4. Contour ploughing – ploughing with alternate furrows and ridges.

5. Mulching – Soil is allowed to remain united and is covered with plant litter.

6. Strip cropping – planting in rows or strips.

7. Terrace farming – Hill slope is converted into terraces.

8.  Agrostological methods – Grasses are grown in rotation or along with agricultural crops.

9.  Afforestation – Trees or wind breaks are planted in deserts.

Air resources

Air is one of the natural resources and is a life-supporting system. Air is one of the basic needs of life. It forms the immediate environment of the earth and biosphere. The “air” is actually a mixture of gases. For example, 78% of the atmosphere is made of the nitrogen gas, 21% is composed of oxygen, and 0.9% is made up of argon. The atmosphere contains gases, suspended liquids, and solids that entirely surround the earth. The earth's gravity pulls these gases, liquids, and solids toward the surface.

The composition of air is not fixed. It changes according to the time of the day, the conditions of environment and humans’ activities. Air pollution refers to the presence of foreign particles in air which can affect the quantity of air and the health of living things. Carbon dioxide is supplied into the atmosphere by plant and animal respiration, the decay of organic material, volcanic eruptions, and natural and anthropogenic combustion. Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis. CO2 is an important greenhouse gas.

Uses of air resource

1.    Organisms can respire oxygen and survive in the world.

2.    Rainfall in any area depends on wind or air current.

3.    Wind has been used to generate electricity.

4.    Ozone protects the earth from uv rays.

5.    Nitrogen is an important mineral nutrients for plants.

6.    Air acts as a medium for some microorganisms.

7.    Water vapour maintains atmospheric humidity and in precipitation.

Energy resources

         Energy is the capacity to do work i.e.to move matter. Energy is our most important resource. Energy availability may limit economic and population growth. Most of our energy comes from fossil fuels. Sun is the primary source of energy. According to the first law of thermodynamics, ‘energy and matter can neither be created nor destroyed’. The second law defines that, ‘energy cannot be completely recycled’. Life depends on energy flow through ordered structures of matter.

Energy comes in different forms such as heat (thermal), light (radiant), mechanical, electrical, chemical and nuclear energy. There are two types of energy:

1.    Potential energy – stored energy

2.    Kinetic energy – working energy

Energy is produced usually from fuel burning and atom splitting.  Heat is considered to be low quality energy because it is dispersed. It is commonly a by-product of mechanical work. Electricity is a high quality form of energy because  it can be transported through wires, stored in batteries and used to make other forms of energy.

Kinds of energy resources

Energy resources can be classified into two groups:

1.    Primary energy resources

2.    Secondary energy resources

Primary energy is an energy form found in nature.  Secondary energy refers to all sources of energy those results from the transformation of primary energy resources. For example electricity is a secondary energy obtained from burning coal in a thermal power plant. Primary energy resources can be subdivided into two forms as:

       i.            Non-renewable energy resources

     ii.            Renewable energy resources

The energy sources can also be classified into conventional and non- conventional energy sources.

Conventional energy sources – energy sources which we are using it for a long time at a commercial scale. e.g. fossil fuels and hydroelectric power.

Non-conventional energy sources – energy sources which are in the process of development over the past few years. They are available in plenty and can be replenished naturally. E.g. solar, wind, tidal, geothermal and biomass.

Non-renewable energy resources

A non-renewable energy can be defined as a resource that cannot be reproduced or re-made at a scale comparable to its consumption. Once depleted, there will be no more available for future use. For example fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and natural gas) take thousands of years to form naturally and cannot be replenished in a short period of time.  Impurities in fossil fuels are a major source of pollution. The burning of fossil fuels produce large amounts of carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy resources can be defined as the resources that are naturally replenished, inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time. Renewable energy is obtained from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides, waves and geothermal heat. Common applications of renewable energies are electricity generation and motor fuels. Renewable energy resources currently contribute to approximately 18% of total global energy consumption. Examples include:

1.    solar energy ,

2.    hydro power,

3.    tidal power,

4.    wind  energy and

5.    geothermal (energy from the heat inside the earth).

Sustainable conservation of natural resources

Sustainability is a state of balance between resource use and the regenerative capacity of the earth. It can be described as ‘securing quality of life within the limits of nature’. The sustainability can be defined as “forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”(Our Common Future 1987 : The World Commission on Environment and Development). Achieving sustainability is a balancing act between current needs and future needs.

Sustainability lies in the interplay of environmental quality, economic vitality and social equity. Ecological sustainability is the maintenance of life support systems and the achievement of natural extinction rate of species. Environmental sustainability refers to the maintenance of natural capital (e.g. natural resources).

The measures for sustainable conservation

Stabilizing population growth- The over-growth of human population has been a critical factor in over-utilizing the natural resources. Human race must willingly practice population control. Population should be stabilized at the level of carrying capacity of the planet earth.

Change-over in energy  use- A change-over is necessary from non-renewable polluting energy to renewable and non-polluting alternative energy resources.

Change – over in technology -A change-over is needed from resource intensive and population – prone technologies to environmental – friendly technologies.

Change–over in economy -The economic development must be environmentally sensitive and sustainable.

Scientific conservation - Conservation is the ‘gospel of efficiency’. Scientific methods should be followed to manage nature and natural resources efficiently.