🌎 Natural Resources 🌎Natural resources are things that come from nature, such as soil, water, forests, and rocks. They provide people with all the things they use and need.Renewable and Nonrenewable ResourcesThere are two important kinds of natural resources: renewable and nonrenewable.Resource TypeDescriptionRenewableWill not run out if people use them wisely. Examples include water, soil, fish, and forests.NonrenewableHave a limited supply and will run out if people continue to use them. Examples include coal, oil, and gold.Renewable ResourcesRenewable resources replace themselves through natural processes. Examples include:Water: Rain fills up dams and reservoirs with fresh water to replace the water that has been used.Soil: Maize will grow each year if the land is farmed correctly.Fish: Farmers breed animals to replace the ones people eat.Forests: Trees can be replanted to replace the ones that have been cut down.Nonrenewable ResourcesNonrenewable resources have a limited supply and will run out if people continue to use them. Examples include:Minerals: People mine minerals like iron ore to manufacture other products such as steel.Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels are fuels that contain carbon deposited in the earth in the form of ancient remains of decayed plants or animals. Examples include coal, oil, and platinum.🚨 Effects of Unwise Resource Use 🚨Unwise use of resources can lead to:Resources becoming damagedResources being used up more quicklyResources not being available at all in the futureExamples of Unwise Resource UseSoil erosion by using poor farming methodsPolluting resources such as water and airWasting resources, for example, by leaving lights onNot planning or planting young trees to replace the trees that have been cut downUsing machinery that waste resources or use them inefficientlyNot controlling the rate at which resources are used🐟 Overfishing 🐟Overfishing is the act of taking more fish than nature can replace. This can lead to:A reduction in the amount of food available for people to eatAffecting many other plants and animals that live in the seaUnemployment and increased povertyCauses of OverfishingModern fishing methods and technologyIncreased population and demand for fishLack of international laws to control the quantity of fish that people may take from the world's oceansEffects of OverfishingOver 90,000,000 tonnes of fish are caught from the world's oceans every year, which is more than the fish population can reproduce.Some fish species are in danger of becoming extinct, such as the swordfish and the bluefin tuna.🌾 Overgrazing 🌾Overgrazing is the act of keeping too many animals on a piece of land, which can lead to:Plants not having time to grow before they are grazedSoil erosion by wind and waterDams filling up with soil washed off the landAnimals not getting enough nutrition from the remaining plantsAnimals becoming sick and weakEffects of Overgrazing"Overgrazing can lead to desertification, where the land is no longer a useful resource. People may leave the land, and the ecosystem is severely damaged."