Introduction to Sustainable Resource Management

Resources Defined

• Anything obtained from the living and non-living environment to meet human needs is considered a resource.

Inorganic Resources

• Inorganic resources are resources that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.
• Examples include:
  • Water
  • Minerals
  • Rocks

Soil Components

• Silt particles in soil have good water and nutrient-holding capacity but poor drainage.

Environmental Sustainability

• Environmental Sustainability refers to using resources to meet current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.

Causes of Environmental Problems

• Population growth is a major cause of environmental problems, leading to increased resource consumption and waste generation.

Classifications of Natural Resources

• Organic resources are based on the presence of carbon atoms.
• Examples of organic resources:
  • Fossil fuels
  • Biofuels
  • Timber
  • Food crops
  • Animals

Soil Components

• Sand in soil provides good drainage but has low water and nutrient-holding capacity.

Inexhaustible Natural Resources

• Inexhaustible resources are natural resources that are constantly replenished, for all practical purposes, at a rate that is faster than human consumption.
• Examples include:
  • Solar energy
  • Wind energy
  • Tidal energy
  • Geothermal energy

Non-Renewable Resources

• Non-renewable resources are finite resources that are formed over geological timescales and consumed faster than they can be replenished.
• Examples include:
  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas)
  • Minerals
  • Groundwater

Biotic Resources

• Biotic resources are derived from living organisms.
• Examples include:
  • Plants
  • Animals
  • Microorganisms

Potential Resources

• Potential resources are those resources that exist in a region but have not yet been exploited.
• These resources may not be economically viable or have limited availability.

Renewable Resources

• One of the major risks associated with renewable resources is their intermittency, their supply often fluctuating based on weather conditions.

Abiotic Resources

• Abiotic resources are derived from non-living components of the environment.
• Examples include:
  • Water
  • Air
  • Minerals
  • Land

Managing Renewable Resources

• Effective management of renewable resources involves utilizing them sustainably by balancing consumption with replenishment rates.
• This can be achieved through:
  • Efficient technologies
  • Conservation efforts
  • Policy mechanisms.

Medicinal Resources

• Medicinal resources are typically derived from biotic resources, particularly plants.
• These resources are essential for developing medicines and treatments.

Resource Value

• The value of a resource is influenced by factors such as its abundance, accessibility, and demand.

Environmental Impact of Exploitation

• Resource exploitation often leads to significant environmental impacts, such as:
  • Pollution
  • Habitat loss
  • Climate change

Resource Degradation

• Resource degradation occurs primarily due to:
  • Overexploitation
  • Pollution
  • Unsustainable practices
  • Climate change

Sustainability Defined

• Sustainability is a concept that emphasizes using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Resource Availability

• Resource availability refers to the quantity of a resource that is accessible and can be sustainably used.

Resource Exploitation Methods

• Sustainable resource management is NOT a method of resource exploitation.
• Sustainable resource management focuses on utilizing resources in a way that minimizes environmental impacts while ensuring their long-term availability.

Consequences of Deforestation

• Deforestation can lead to significant environmental consequences, including:
  • Soil erosion
  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Climate change

Resource Sustainability

• Resource sustainability aims to balance current economic needs with the long-term environmental integrity and social well-being of ecosystems and communities.