Content

Resources and Land Use

Types of Resources

Developed nations typically have greater access to resources than developing nations. In other words, a nation’s access to resources effects its level of economic development. Geographers organize resources into three different groups: natural, human, and capital.

Natural resources are materials that naturally occur in the environment. They can be renewable or nonrenewable. Renewable resources are able to replenish quickly and naturally. Water, soil, forests, wind, and sunlight are all considered renewable resources. Note that water, soil, and forests are considered renewable, not unlimited. This means pollution and overuse may deplete these resources. Nonrenewable resources replenish very slowly. This means they cannot be easily replaced once they are consumed. Examples of nonrenewable resources include fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas, and metals like gold, iron, copper, and bauxite (which is used to manufacture aluminum).

Human resources refer to an area's labor force. A nation's human resources are measured by:

Compared to developed nations, developing nations tend to have a workforce that is less educated, less skilled, and includes fewer managers and entrepreneurs.

Capital resources are used to produce goods and services. Examples include tools, machines, technology, and infrastructure. Infrastructure is the system of buildings, roads, and utilities that provide transportation, power, and communication. In a developing nation, the availability of tools, machines, and technology is limited. The infrastructure may also prove underdeveloped, unreliable, or inefficient.

Influence of Resources

Influence of Resources Interactivity

A region's access to natural, human, and capital resources relates to its economic activity and land use. In this interactivity, you will explore the relationship between economic development, and the distribution and availability of resources. Click the player to begin.

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Changes in Resources Over Time

The value of natural resources has gradually changed over time. Often, this is due to advancements in technology, which impact supply and demand of different resources. For example, wood was one of the earliest energy resources. Since ancient times, people have burned wood to cook food and warm their homes. As civilization became more advanced, the demand for fuel increased. The growing demand caused deforestation. Forests got depleted faster than replenished.

During the industrial revolution, the use of coal met the growing demand for fuel. Coal was better than wood for industrial purposes, like refining metal and fueling steam engines. However, using coal as an energy source presented problems. For example, extracting coal from the ground can be difficult and dangerous for miners. Also, burning coal creates pollutants that contaminate the air and water. Coal also began to face growing competition from oil and natural gas.

Although coal is still used, petroleum has replaced it as the primary energy resource used by the world. Petroleum, or crude oil, can be refined into fuels like gasoline and kerosene. The demand for petroleum surged with the invention of the internal combustion engine used in cars and other vehicles. The widespread use of petroleum as a fuel source has increased concerns about pollution and global warming. Additionally, oil spills are a potential risk in the extraction and transportation of petroleum.

During the mid-twentieth century, nuclear power was first considered an alternative energy source. Nuclear power plants produce substantial amounts of energy with far less pollution than power plants that burn fossil fuels. Yet, proper disposal of nuclear power waste is critical. Otherwise radioactive contamination may arise. This risk deters many from using nuclear power. The Chernobyl nuclear disaster exemplifies such a catastrophic outcome.

Recent advancements in technology have prompted the use of renewable resources like sunlight and wind. Issues like cost and aesthetics prevent the world from adopting these power sources as primary energy resources. However, this may change. Technology used for solar and wind power is becoming more affordable and easier to put in place.

Resources and Land Use Review

Resources and Land Use Review Interactivity

Now that you have learned about resources and land use, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.