Types of natural resources
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Question
Define natural resources.
Answer
Natural resources are materials and components from nature that humans use for survival and economic activity.
💡 Hint
Nature → humans use it
Question
List two renewable and two non-renewable resources.
Answer
Renewable: timber, freshwater (if managed), fish stocks, wind/solar. Non-renewable: coal, oil, natural gas, metals/minerals.
💡 Hint
2 + 2 examples
Question
What is the general relationship between development and resource use?
Answer
As countries develop, resource consumption typically increases due to industrialisation, urbanisation, and rising consumption of goods and energy.
💡 Hint
Development → more demand
Question
State two reasons why industrialisation increases resource demand.
Answer
Industrialisation increases demand for energy (fuels/electricity) and materials (metals, minerals, construction inputs) for factories, infrastructure, and production.
💡 Hint
Energy + materials
Question
What is the key difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?
Answer
Renewable resources can be replenished naturally on human timescales; non-renewable resources have a finite supply formed over geological time and cannot be replaced once depleted.
💡 Hint
Human timescale vs geological
Question
What does “renewable if not overexploited” mean?
Answer
A resource can regenerate, but only stays renewable when extraction stays at/below regeneration; overuse can deplete it and make recovery very slow or impossible.
💡 Hint
Rate matters
Question
What do ecological footprint and biocapacity measure?
Answer
Ecological footprint measures human demand on natural resources; biocapacity measures nature’s ability to supply resources and absorb wastes.
💡 Hint
Demand vs supply
Question
Give three examples of natural resources.
Answer
Examples include fossil fuels (coal/oil/gas), freshwater, timber, minerals/metals (e.g., copper), fertile soil/land, fish stocks.
💡 Hint
Be specific: “copper” not “minerals”
Question
State one key global pattern about resource use.
Answer
Per-capita resource use is much higher in HICs than LICs, even though total demand is rising globally.
💡 Hint
Per-capita vs total
Question
When can a renewable resource become effectively non-renewable?
Answer
When it is used faster than it regenerates (harvest rate exceeds regeneration rate), causing long-term depletion (e.g., overfishing).
💡 Hint
Use rate language
Question
What is a common exam skill for this topic?
Answer
Describing trends in resource extraction/use from data by stating overall trend, differences between regions, and rate of change (with figures when possible).
💡 Hint
Trend + compare + numbers
Question
What is a resource conflict?
Answer
A dispute or violence linked to competition for control, access, or distribution of resources (e.g., water, oil, minerals).
💡 Hint
Competition for resources
Question
Define the “resource curse”.
Answer
The resource curse is when countries rich in natural resources experience poor governance, corruption, conflict, or slower development despite resource wealth.
💡 Hint
Paradox of plenty
Question
State the rule for sustainable use of renewable resources.
Answer
Sustainable use occurs when the harvest/extraction rate is at or below the natural regeneration rate.
💡 Hint
Harvest ≤ regeneration
Question
Why can resource distribution drive inequality or conflict?
Answer
Because resources are unevenly distributed, creating dependence, power imbalances, and competition over access and profits.
💡 Hint
Uneven distribution
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Full study notes for Types of natural resources
Topic 7.1 hub
Natural resources—uses and management
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