Resource
A resource is any physical or virtual entity of limited availability that needs to be consumed to
obtain a benefit from it. In most cases, commercial or even non-commerial factors require
resource allocation through resource management. There are two types of resources; renewable
and non-renewable.
Value of a resource
The purely economic value of a resource is controlled by supply and demand. This is, however, a
narrow perspective on resources as there are many things that cannot be measured in money.
Natural resources like forests, mountains etc. are considered beautiful so they have aesthetic
value. Resources also have an ethical value as well, because it is widely recognized that it is our
moral duty to protect and conserve them for the future generations (see sustainable
development).
Characteristics of resources
Resources have three main characteristics: utility, quantity (often in terms of availability), and
consumption. However, this definition is not accepted by some, for example deep ecologists who
believe that non-human elements are independent of human values.
See also: Infrastructure
Types of resources
Natural resources
Main article: Natural resource
Natural resources are derived from the environment. Many of them are essential for our survival
while others are used for satisfying our needs. Natural resources may be further classified in
different ways; on the basis of origin, resources may be divided into:
Biotic - Biotic resources are those obtained from the biosphere. Forests and their
products, animals, birds and their products, fish and other marine organisms are
important examples. Minerals such as coal and petroleum are also included in this
category because they were formed from decayed organic matter.
Abiotic - Abiotic resources comprise non-living things. Examples include land, water, air
and minerals such as gold, iron, copper, silver etc.
On the basis of the stage of development, natural resources may be called:
Potential Resources - Potential resources are those that exist in a region and may be
used in the future. For example, mineral oil may exist in many parts of India having
sedimentary rocks, but until the time it is actually drilled out and put into use, it remains a
potential resource.
Stock are the materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human
needs but do not have the appropriate technology to access them. For example, hydrogen
and oxygen are two inflammable gases present in water, but we do not have the
technology to use them from water.
Reserved Resources are the subset of stock, where use has not yet been started and are
saved for future use.
Actual resources are those that have been surveyed, their quantity and quality
determined, and are being used in present times. For example, petroleum and natural gas
obtained from the Mumbai High Fields. The development of an actual resource, such as
wood processing depends upon the technology available and the cost involved. That part
of the actual resource that can be developed profitably with available technology is called
a reserve.
On the basis of renewability, natural resources can be categorized into:
Renewable Resources - Renewable resources are those that can be replenished or
reproduced easily. Some of them, like sunlight, air, wind, etc., are continuously available
and their quantity is not affected by human consumption. Many renewable resources can
be depleted by human use, but may also be replenished, thus maintaining a flow. Some of
these, like agricultural crops, take a short time for renewal; others, like water, take a
comparatively longer time, while still others, like forests, take even longer.[1]
Non-renewable Resources - Non-renewable resources are formed over very long
geological periods. Minerals and fossils are included in this category. Since their rate of
formation is extremely slow, they cannot be replenished once they are depleted. Out of
these, the metallic minerals can be re-used by recycling them, but coal and petroleum
cannot be recycled.
Conditionally Renewable Resources - Conditionally renewable resources are often
classified as a third kind of resource, or as a subtype of renewable resources. They are
dependent upon the speed and quantity of consumption, and over consumption can lead
to depletion and total and everlasting destruction of the resource. Important examples are
agricultural areas, fish and other animals, forests, healthy water and soil, cultivated and
natural landscapes. Conditionally renewable resources are presently subject to excess
human consumption and the only sustainable long term use of such resources is the so-
called zero ecological footprint, when we use less than the Earth's ecological capacity to
regenerate.
On the basis of distribution, natural resources can be classified into:
Ubiquitous-are those that can be found everywhere. For example-air,light,water etc.
Localised-are those that can be found only in certain parts of the [Link] example-copper and
iron ore,thermal power plant etc.
On the basis of ownership, resources can be classified into:individual,community,national,and
international Individual resources:
Human resources
Human beings are also considered to be resources. The term Human Resources can also be
defined as the skills, energies, talents, abilities and knowledge that are used for the production
of goods or the rendering of services.[citation needed]
In a project management context, human resources are those employees responsible for
undertaking the activities defined in the project plan.[2]
Tangible / intangible resources
Resources may be split into tangible and intangible resources. Tangible resources are those
resources like equipment, vehicles which have actual physical existence; whereas intangible
resources are things like corporate images, brands and patents that are present but cannot be
grasped or contained.
Resource use and sustainable development
Many resources cannot be consumed in their original form. They have to be processed in order to
change them into more usable commodities. This is known as resource development. With
increasing population, the demand for resources has also increased. However, there is a
difference in distribution of resources between regions or countries. Developed countries use
more natural resources than developing countries[citation needed].
There are several problems related to the usage of resources:
Resource depletion
Environmental degradation
Tragedy of the commons
Resource curse
Over-consumption