Classify resources on the basis of origin and availability.

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

Resources are classified on the basis of origin and availability. Resources refer to the material present in our environment which provides benefits to humans. They hold certain qualities and also have a value, which correlates to the degree to which they can be used. Resources can be biotic or abiotic on the basis of their origin. On the basis of availability, resources can be renewable or nonrenewable.

Table of content

1. Resources on the Basis of Origin
2. Resources on the Basis of Availability
3. Classify resources on the basis of origin and availability.

Resources on the Basis of Origin

Resources can be bifurcated into abiotic and biotic on the basis of their origin. Resources can have different origins. They are simply materials that can be found on the earth, whether a material becomes a resource or not depends on its uses and how much it is valued by the humans

Abiotic Resources

Abiotic resources are resources that are non-living. These are the raw materials that are not derived from humans or any living organism. The examples of abiotic resources are listed below.

Air
Land
Water
Soil
Solar energy
Minerals such as Gold, Silver, etc.

Biotic Resources

Biotic resources refer to the resources derived from the biosphere. These include materials that are obtained from the living organism. The list of biotic resources is provided below.

Human Labor
Wildlife
Forests
Animals, etc.

Resources on the Basis of Availability

Resources are also classified on the basis of their availability. Some resources are renewable while others are non-renewable. This is an important classification as it is also one of the basis for many environmental concerns.

Renewable Resources

Renewable resources are the resources available to humans that are endlessly available on the earth. These types of resources can be replenished easily and are also known as flow or finite resources. They are also called permanent resources and can be found easily in the environment. The examples include the following –

Wind energy
Geothermal energy
Solar energy
Biomass energy, etc.

Non-renewable Resources

Non-renewable resources are the type of resources that are only available in a limited quantity. Once they are used up completely, they cannot be replenished. These are also known as finite resources. These resources are also harmful to the environment as they leave a carbon footprint. The list of non-renewable resources is below.

Metal Ores
Natural Gas
Nuclear Energy
Fossil Fuels like coal, petroleum, etc.

Summary: