UNIT-III Natural
Resources
Our environment provides us with a variety of goods and services necessary for day to day lives.
These natural resources include air, water, soil, minerals.
Land is one of the most valuable resources for mankind as well as one of nature’s most precious
gifts.
It is that part of lithosphere that sustains life as well as provides existential resources to human
beings.
LAND RESOURCES
1) MINERALS
Almost all minerals are found in the earth’s crust.
Minerals are non-renewable resources and include metals like iron, copper, aluminium, etc and
non-metals like phosphates, gypsum, clay, sand, etc.
Minerals are extremely valuable to humans as they are essential raw material in industries and play
a major role in overall development of nation.
2) SOIL
Soil is defined as the outermost thin layer of earth’s crust which serves as the natural medium for
growth of plants.
Soil is a renewable resource which is constantly being formed and developed, mainly by erosion
process.
The topmost layer of soil rich in organic matter is called humus and is most fertile layer.
Major soil group found in India are alluvial soil, Black soil, Red soil, Laterite soil, Desert soil and Acid
soil.
3) AGRICULTURE
Most dominant use of land resource for humans.
Agricultural productivity has increased manifold globally over the last 70-80 years due to increased
use of fertilizers and pesticides.
But this highly chemical intensive agriculture has also adversely impacted the land and its associated
resources.
4) NATURAL FOREST PRODUCTS
Forest products are materials derived from forests for consumption and profitable use.
These mainly include timber, firewood, wool pulp for paper and forage for livestock.
There are also other non-wood products that are derived from forests which include nuts, resins,
gum, medical plants, edible fruits, oils, etc.
5) MEDICINAL PLANTS
, Valuable natural resources
Used by human communities since prehistoric times.
Abou 80% of the world’s developing countries are dependent on these traditional medicinal plants
for primary health care (major / minor diseases)
FOREST BASED INDUSTRIES
Forest have played a significant role in building up the economy of various countries and have
provided a means of living to millions of people.
Source of Raw Materials for Large , Medium and Small Scale Industries.
About two billion people use firewood and charcoal as their main source of energy for cooking and
for heating their homes.
Many sell timber from their land areas to logging companies or make and sell furniture and
handicrafts.
Industrial logging provides employment & earnings for people in countries like Brazil, India, China &
Indonesia.
LAND COVER & LAND USAGE CHANGE
Land covers refers to the observed biophysical cover on the surface of the earth whether
vegetation, water, bare soil or urban infrastructure.
Different types of forests, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, wetlands and deserts.
The Global Land Area is 13.2 Billion Ha. Of this, 12% (1.6 Billion Ha.) is under cultivation, 28% (3.7
Billion Ha.) is under Forest & 35% (4.6 Billion Ha.) comprises grassland & woodland ecosystems.
Land use refers to the purpose the land serves, for example, recreation, wildlife habitat, or
agriculture.
To illustrate this with an example, ‘grassland’ is a term used for land cover, while ‘agricultural land’,
a ‘horse ranch’ or a ‘tennis court’ refers to he land use of grassland.
Since the start of human cultivation (ca 3500 BC onwards), land has been increasing used for
settlements, agricultural purposes, grazing of animals, mining, urbanization and industrialization.
The rapid and large scale human intervention in converting natural landscapes for our own usage
has resulted in devastating effects on both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystem. The
increased demand of water, waste disposal and food requirements has resulted in land being used
in an unsustainable manner, leading to its degradation.
LAND DEGRADATION
Land degradation is defined as the deterioration of the productive capacity of land due to over
exploitation by humans.
The major causes of land degradation are:
Deforestation
Soil erosion
Unpredictive weather patterns or climate conditions
Droughts and floods
Resources
Our environment provides us with a variety of goods and services necessary for day to day lives.
These natural resources include air, water, soil, minerals.
Land is one of the most valuable resources for mankind as well as one of nature’s most precious
gifts.
It is that part of lithosphere that sustains life as well as provides existential resources to human
beings.
LAND RESOURCES
1) MINERALS
Almost all minerals are found in the earth’s crust.
Minerals are non-renewable resources and include metals like iron, copper, aluminium, etc and
non-metals like phosphates, gypsum, clay, sand, etc.
Minerals are extremely valuable to humans as they are essential raw material in industries and play
a major role in overall development of nation.
2) SOIL
Soil is defined as the outermost thin layer of earth’s crust which serves as the natural medium for
growth of plants.
Soil is a renewable resource which is constantly being formed and developed, mainly by erosion
process.
The topmost layer of soil rich in organic matter is called humus and is most fertile layer.
Major soil group found in India are alluvial soil, Black soil, Red soil, Laterite soil, Desert soil and Acid
soil.
3) AGRICULTURE
Most dominant use of land resource for humans.
Agricultural productivity has increased manifold globally over the last 70-80 years due to increased
use of fertilizers and pesticides.
But this highly chemical intensive agriculture has also adversely impacted the land and its associated
resources.
4) NATURAL FOREST PRODUCTS
Forest products are materials derived from forests for consumption and profitable use.
These mainly include timber, firewood, wool pulp for paper and forage for livestock.
There are also other non-wood products that are derived from forests which include nuts, resins,
gum, medical plants, edible fruits, oils, etc.
5) MEDICINAL PLANTS
, Valuable natural resources
Used by human communities since prehistoric times.
Abou 80% of the world’s developing countries are dependent on these traditional medicinal plants
for primary health care (major / minor diseases)
FOREST BASED INDUSTRIES
Forest have played a significant role in building up the economy of various countries and have
provided a means of living to millions of people.
Source of Raw Materials for Large , Medium and Small Scale Industries.
About two billion people use firewood and charcoal as their main source of energy for cooking and
for heating their homes.
Many sell timber from their land areas to logging companies or make and sell furniture and
handicrafts.
Industrial logging provides employment & earnings for people in countries like Brazil, India, China &
Indonesia.
LAND COVER & LAND USAGE CHANGE
Land covers refers to the observed biophysical cover on the surface of the earth whether
vegetation, water, bare soil or urban infrastructure.
Different types of forests, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, wetlands and deserts.
The Global Land Area is 13.2 Billion Ha. Of this, 12% (1.6 Billion Ha.) is under cultivation, 28% (3.7
Billion Ha.) is under Forest & 35% (4.6 Billion Ha.) comprises grassland & woodland ecosystems.
Land use refers to the purpose the land serves, for example, recreation, wildlife habitat, or
agriculture.
To illustrate this with an example, ‘grassland’ is a term used for land cover, while ‘agricultural land’,
a ‘horse ranch’ or a ‘tennis court’ refers to he land use of grassland.
Since the start of human cultivation (ca 3500 BC onwards), land has been increasing used for
settlements, agricultural purposes, grazing of animals, mining, urbanization and industrialization.
The rapid and large scale human intervention in converting natural landscapes for our own usage
has resulted in devastating effects on both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystem. The
increased demand of water, waste disposal and food requirements has resulted in land being used
in an unsustainable manner, leading to its degradation.
LAND DEGRADATION
Land degradation is defined as the deterioration of the productive capacity of land due to over
exploitation by humans.
The major causes of land degradation are:
Deforestation
Soil erosion
Unpredictive weather patterns or climate conditions
Droughts and floods
