Resources are defined as matter, space and time utilized for the wellbeing of mankind is called as resources. The natural resources are materials, which living organisms can take from nature for sustaining their life or any components of the natural environment that can be utilized by man to promote his welfare is considered to be natural resources.

1. T Y B Sc. Zoology Notes: Paper IV –Environmental Science
Anything which is of is any physical, chemical, biological, social and/or virtual entity of limited availability
and that needs to be consumed to support and benefit life or its activity is a resource. Thus any part of our
environment such as land, water, air, minerals, forest, rangeland, wildlife, fish or ever human population
that man can utilize to promote his welfare may be regarded as a resource. Five basic ecological variables
viz. energy, matter, space, diversity and even time are called as resources. Ramade (1984) defined a
resource as a form of energy and/or matter, which is essential for the fulfillment of physical, socioeconomic and cultural needs, both at the individual lands and that of the community level. The natural
resources are materials, which living organisms can take from nature for sustaining their life or any
components of the natural environment that can be utilized by man to promote his welfare is considered
to be natural resources. On one instance the things which are not resources could be converted to
resources with the help of technology. Some Natural resources can be found everywhere such as sunlight
and air, when it is so the resource is known as an ubiquitous (existing or being everywhere) resource.
However most resources are not ubiquitous. They only occur in small sporadic areas; these resources are
referred to as localized resources. There are very few resources that are considered inexhaustible (will not
run out in foreseeable future) – these are solar radiation, geothermal energy, and air (though access to
clean air may not be). The vast majority of resources are however exhaustible, which means they have a
finite quantity, and can be depleted if
managed improperly. The living resources
are known as biological or biotic resources
whereas nonliving things are called as abiotic
resources. Resources which last longer are
inexhaustible and which are limited are
exhaustible. Politically/ commercially even
humans, time and space are considered as
resources. Natural resources are further
classified as renewable and non-renewable
resource. Natural resources are classified
based on quantity, mutability, maintainability
and reusability.
I.
BIOTIC RESOURCES are resources which come from biosphere and have a life example. human
beings, flora and fauna, fisheries, livestock etc. The materials obtained from them are also
considered biotic, example fossil fuels, coal, petroleum, because these are formed from
decayed organic matter.
By Prof. S D Rathod
Dept. of Zoology
B N Bandodkar College of Science, Thane, India

2. T Y B Sc. Zoology Notes: Paper IV –Environmental Science
II.
ABIOTIC RESOURCES are those
resources which come from nonliving,
non-organic
material.
Example, rocks, minerals, air, water,
metals etc.
Classification based on exhaustibility:
Renewable vs. Non-renewable
A. PERPETUAL RESOURCES – these are
resources which exist irrespective of the
amount of their usage. With adequate
technology, they provide a vast potential for use. Example. Sun, wind and water
B. RENEWABLE RESOURCES - the resources which can be renewed and reproduced by physical, chemical
or mechanical processes are known as renewable or replenishable resources. These resources are able
to increase their abundance through reproduction and utilization of simple substances. Examples of
such resources are water, forests and wildlife, plants etc. we can further divide into continuous or flow
and biological.
Renewable Resources can be further classified as Living Renewable Resources and Non-Living Renewable
Resources. Some examples of renewable resources though they do not have life cycle but can be recycled
are wood and wood-products, pulp products, natural rubber, fibers (e.g. cotton, jute, animalwool, silk and
synthetic fibers) and leather.
1. Living
Renewable
(biological)
resources are those renewable
resources which come from living
(biotic) sources – like forests, plants
2. Non-Living Renewable resources are
those that renewable resources which
come from non-living (abiotic) sources
like land, water, air. Example, metals,
minerals, wind, sun etc.
3. Continuous/
Flow
Renewable
resources are resources which do not
need regeneration. Similar to that of
perpetual resources, example wind,
tides etc.
C. NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES - this
process takes place over a long geological
time. Examples of such resources are
minerals and fossil fuels. This may take
By Prof. S D Rathod
Dept. of Zoology
B N Bandodkar College of Science, Thane, India

3. T Y B Sc. Zoology Notes: Paper IV –Environmental Science
millions of years in their formation. Some of the resources like metals are recyclable and some like
fossils fuels cannot be recycled and as such they get exhausted with their use.
Non-Renewable Resources can be further classified as Recyclable and Non-Recyclable resources.
1. Recyclable resources are those which can be processed to be used again and again. These are
non-renewable resources, which can be collected after they are used and can be recycled. These
are mainly the non-energy mineral resources, which occur in the earth's crust (e.g. ores of
aluminium, copper, mercury etc.) and deposits of fertilizer nutrients (e.g. phosphate sock and
potassium and minerals used in their natural state like asbestos, clay, mica etc)
2. Non- Recyclable resources are those which once used perish, example coal. These are nonrenewable resources, which cannot be recycled in any way. Examples of these are fossil fuels and
uranium, which provide 90 per cent of our energy requirements. There are a few substances too
which can be recycled a few times, before they completely perish or turn non-renewable
resources.
Inexhaustible N.R.
Exhaustible N.R.
[Unlimited but quality may degrade]
[Quality and quantity both degradable]
I-Immutable
I-Maintainable
[Quality not degraded by human use]
Atomic energy
Wind power
Tidal power
Precipitation
[Availability depends on use]
A-Renewable
[Perpetual harvest possible]
Fertility of soil, biomass
human power,
biological products
II-Mutable
B-Non-renewable
[Once lost is never replaced]
Wild life species
II-Non-maintainable
[Quantity may be degraded]
[Quantity is static (limited) & once consumed not replaced]
Solar radiation
Running of water
Hydropower
Reusable
Non-reusable
[Consumptive use small]
[Consumptive use is high]
Seeds, metals like gold,
Silver, platinum, iron etc.
Fossil fuel, non-metal minerals
like gypsum, sand, salts, etc.
By Prof. S D Rathod
Dept. of Zoology
B N Bandodkar College of Science, Thane, India

4. T Y B Sc. Zoology Notes: Paper IV –Environmental Science
1. Natural resource management refers to the management of natural resources such as land, water,
soil, minerals, plants and animals, with a particular focus on how management affects the quality of
life for both present and future generations.
2. The depletion of natural resources is caused by ‘direct drivers of change’ such as Mining, petroleum
extraction, fishing and forestry as well as ‘indirect drivers of change’ such as demography, economy,
society, politics and technology. There are many competing uses for natural resources, and society is
challenged to manage them for improving social well-being. Furthermore, there may be dire
consequences to natural resources mismanagement. It recognizes that people and their livelihoods
rely on the health and productivity of our landscapes. Population increase, resource use conflicts,
technological advancements, climate change, political doldrums, and unsustainable use and
harvesting of resources have all put more pressure on natural resources leading to land degradation
and poverty. Renewable resources, such as water, land and the environment are linked, and decisions
made with regard to one may affect the others.
3. Causes of depletion
Over-consumption/excessive or unnecessary use of resources, overfishing, cascade effect
Non-equitable distribution of resources
Overpopulation
Slash and burn agricultural practices, currently occurring in many developing countries
Technological and industrial development
Erosion, draught, deluge
Irrigation, soil salinization
Mining for oil and minerals
Aquifier depletion, water pollution
Forestry
Pollution or contamination of resources
Species extinction, Loss of biodiversity, endangered species.
4. The current practice of Agriculture is another factor causing depletion of natural resources e.g. the
depletion of nutrients in the soil due to excessive use of nitrogen and desertification. The depletion of
natural resources is a continuing concern for society.
5. In 1982 the UN developed the World Charter for Nature in which it recognized the need to protect
nature from further depletion due to human activity. UN outlined the need for sustainable use of
natural resources and suggested that the protection of resources should be incorporated into the law
system at state and international level. It brings together land use planning, water management,
biodiversity conservation, and the future sustainability of industries like agriculture, mining, tourism,
By Prof. S D Rathod
Dept. of Zoology
B N Bandodkar College of Science, Thane, India

5. T Y B Sc. Zoology Notes: Paper IV –Environmental Science
6.
7.
8.
9.
fisheries and forestry. The resources are managed by the users according to the rules governing of
when and how the resource is used depending on local condition.
The World Ethic of Sustainability developed by the IUCN, WWF and the UNEP in 1990 which set out
eight values for sustainability, these include the need to protect natural resources from depletion.
Policy and management of natural resources now require interdisciplinary and sustainable approaches
including natural and social sciences to correctly address our society preferences.
The resource management should focus on economics, management and policy of renewable
biological resources, such as water, land, crop protection, sustainable agriculture, technology, and
environmental health. It incorporates modern thinking and techniques of economics and
management.
The following four conceptual models for interdisciplinary and sustainable natural resource
management can be considered:
Model1. the natural environmental system of biosphere elements, such as human and wildlife
populations, natural resources, or ecosystems;
Model2. the social system of human attitudes, values, behavior, institutions, and technology;
Model3. the economic system that focuses on human attitudes, institutions, and behavior related
to the allocation of land, labor and capital; and
Model4. the political system of policy, laws, courts, and public agencies, with the natural
environment and resources (in the environmental system) providing and receiving impacts from
the other three systems.
The NRM (Natural resources management) program works closely with policy-makers, foresters, scientists,
research institutions and non-governmental organizations in India and globally across several countries.
The expertise of the group lies in working with rural communities, institutions, local & national NGOs, and
the central & state governments providing services viz. Project Management, Sector Strategy & Policy
Reviews, Technical Assistance, Program Implementation, Action Research, Assessments, Comprehensive
Monitoring & Evaluation and Capacity Building
Specifically features of the program are:
Climate change adaptation
Climate-induced vulnerability and resilience
Forest management
Biodiversity conservation
Livelihood security
Renewable Energy
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) plus means it goes
beyond deforestation and forest degradation, includes the role of conservation, sustainable
management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
Soil and Water conservation
Governance issues
By Prof. S D Rathod
Dept. of Zoology
B N Bandodkar College of Science, Thane, India

6. T Y B Sc. Zoology Notes: Paper IV –Environmental Science
To achieve a win-win situation, we need to change our mindset by thinking outside the box through
advocating integrated and holistic approaches in managing our natural resources. The managerial
approaches could include
use of GIS and Remote Sensing technologies, decision support system models, involvement of
stakeholders in major decisions regarding use of natural resources, community level initiatives,
and use of surveillance and monitoring mechanisms.
Fighting against climate change; that goes mainly through avoiding damage, deforestation, and
promoting preservation, sustainable management and reforestation.
Fighting against desertification; the "Green Sahel" operation needs to be continued, so basically it
implies growing trees in arid areas.
Fighting against pollution, nuisances and dangerous chemicals; we will implement a fiscal
incentive system to favor the use of green and biodegradable substances. The systematic
repression of polluters is implemented.
A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) we emit individually in any one-year
period. CO2 is produced from many sources and is the primary gas responsible for global warming.
The carbon footprint is made up of two parts, the primary and the secondary. The primary
footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including
domestic energy consumption and transportation. The secondary footprint is a measure of
indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use.
By Prof. S D Rathod
Dept. of Zoology
B N Bandodkar College of Science, Thane, India