Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Natural Resources
Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 1

Resources
A resource is anything that we get from our environment that
meets our needs and wants.
Some resources are directly obtained from the environment

(air, water, animal and plant food products) and others are
useable after passing through technological processing(oil,
iron, minerals).
Based on their degree of renewability, resources are

classified in to three as,
1. Potentially renewable
2. Non-renewable and
3. Perpetual resources
Potentially Renewable resources
They can replenish themselves through a natural process,

however, they can be depleted in the short term if
consumed beyond their natural rate of replenishment.
Sustainable yield: The highest rate at which a potentially

renewable resource can be used, without decreasing its
potential for renewal.
If the sustainable yield is exceeded, the base supply of

the resource will shrink so much that the resource can be
exhausted-used up.

Renewable resources are those which can replace
themselves in a life time of a human being.
For example, soil formation occurs at a rate of 2-3

cm/millennium , making it a potentially renewable
resource.
Unwise farming practices, however, can cause 6-8 cm

soil loss per decade.
Examples of renewable resources: biodiversity resources,

water resources.

Wind mill, Ashegoda Wind
Power Project, renewable
energy resource
Solar panel
Examples of renewable resources: biodiversity, water resources

Geyser: geothermal energy
in Afar Region, Ethiopia
Tekeze Hydroelectric
dam, Ethiopia

Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
Adama Wind Power

Non-renewable Resources
Are finite and exhaustible resources, resources that can

not replenish themselves in a life time of human beings.
These include, fossil fuels and metallic mineral

resources.
Some nonrenewable resources like metallic resources can

be recycled or reused.

Perpetual Resources
Resources which are inexhaustible in human life time

scale.
Perpetual resources such as solar energy is one that

comes from an essentially inexhaustible source and thus
will be available in a relatively constant supply regardless
of whether or how we use it.
Examples of perpetual resources

*Solar energy
*Wind energy
World fossil fuel
figure consumption follow
declining trends and
renewable energy
consumption follow
increasing trends
World Energy
Consumption

Population-Resource-Environment Linkage
The total environmental impact of population in a given area

depends on three factors.
I =PAT
Where,
I: Impact on their environment
P: Population size
A: Demand on the earth’s resource per person/affluence
T: Factor of technology

Environmental Impact (I) = (P)(A)(T)

A resource is usually defined as anything obtained from the
physical environment to meet human needs.
It is naturally occurring material, e.g. coal ,wood, forest,
water, mineral, food, energy, land (soil), atmosphere (air),
plants and animals that can be exploited by people.
Resources are conserved for their biological, economic, and
recreational values, as well as their natural beauty and
importance to local cultures.
For example, tropical rain forests are protected for their
important role in both global ecology and the economic
livelihood of the local culture; a coral reef may be protected
for its recreational value for scuba divers; and a scenic river
may be protected for its natural beauty.

Broad Categories of Natural Resources
Some resources get exhausted soon, whereas other resources

would be lasting for a long period of time.
Depending on this factor, these resources are divided into
two categories: Renewable and Non-renewable
Renewable Ressources (Inexhaustible Resources)
Inexhaustible resources have the ability to reappear or
replenish themselves by recycling, reproduction or
replacement.
These renewable sources include:-
 Sunlight
 Plants
 Animals
 Soil
 Water
 Living organismsCompiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 17
Non-renewable Resources (Exhaustible Resources):
Non- renewable resources are the Earth’s materials found in a
fixed amounts in nature’s reserve/stock.
They do not replenish in natural process in short time/human
life time.
These nonrenewable resources include:-
Minerals,
Fossil fuels,
Non-mineral resources
Perpetual Resources: Such as solar energy is one that comes
from an essentially inexhaustible source and thus will be
available in a relatively constant supply regardless of whether
or how we use it.

If rate of utilization of renewable resources is greater than
the rate the resource replenish itself naturally, there will be
over utilization and the resource will be non renewable.
The rate at which a renewable resource can be used without
damaging its renewability is called its Sustained Yield.
If this yield is violated, the base supply of renewable
resources begins to shrink and can eventually become non-
renewable on human time scale or in some cases non-
existent a processes known as environmental degradation.

The total environmental impact of population in a given
area depends on three factors.
I =PAT,
Where I: Impact on their environment

P: Population size
A: Demand on the earth’s resource per person/Affluence
T: Factor of technology
Main shortcoming is that the factors in the equation are

related but in complex ways.
However, the approach has been useful in demonstrating
that population dynamics are central to environmental
change.

1. Biomass Resources
Biomass is any material that was recently alive, including

food waste, wood, paper, grasses, and leaves.
Biomass burned to produce energy, or processed in to
gasoline for automobiles.
Forests are important biomass resources; are valuable
source of biodiversity from which we derive various
benefits like medicines, domesticated plants, animals, etc.
Forest reduces the impact of raindrop , soil erosion and
flooding.

It moderates climate.
Forest provides livelihood for large sector of people.
It also fulfills timber, fuel-wood, fruits, fiber, recreation and
other benefits.
It maintains the natural ecological balance by providing
habitat for various species of plants and animals.
Provide shelter to large number of animals and birds. These
animals are not only aesthetically valuable but represent a
tremendous store of genes.
Deforestation is thought to induce regional and global
climate changes, play important role in earth’s water cycle
through transpiration.
The biggest problem with burning biomass is that it causes
air pollution. Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 22
Causes of Deforestation Effects of Deforestation
 Shifting cultivation  Soil erosion
 Fuel requirements  Expansions of deserts
 Raw materials for industries  Decrease in rainfall
 Development projects  Loss of fertile land
 Growing food needs  Effect on climate
 Overgrazing  Economic losses
 Wild fires  Loss of biodiversity
 Loss of medicinal plants
 Environmental changes
2. Water Resources
Precipitation is the primary source of water which may

be in the form of surface water and groundwater available
for our use
It is an essential raw material in the process of
photosynthesis of green plants.
Water is source for generation of Hydroelectric Power
Water is very abundant on this earth, yet it is very
precious.
Out of the total water reserves of the world, about 97%
is salty water (marine) and only 3% is fresh water (mostly
in polar ice not accessible). <1% readily available for us
in the form of surface and groundwater.

2. Water Resources
Water moves from the ocean to air to land to ocean in a

set cyclic pattern called hydrologic cycle.
The factors which control the process of evaporation and
transpiration include wind, temperature and humidity.
Sources of water pollution mainly come from Industries:
Pulp, paper, steel industries, Fertilizer, tanneries, textile
mills, domestic sewage.

3. Mineral Resources
Mineral: Any naturally occurring chemical element or

compound that have been formed through inorganic
processes.
Minerals are exhaustible, non-renewable resources found
in the earth’s crust.
Earth contains a limited amount of them.
More than 3,000 mineral species are known, most of
which are characterized by definite chemical
composition, crystalline structure, and physical
properties.

Minerals are Classified Based on their uses as
Precious metals: gold, silver, and the platinum group

metals;
Steel industry metals: iron, nickel, cobalt, titanium,
vanadium, chromium;
Base metals: copper, lead, tin, and zinc; magnesium and
aluminum;
Nuclear metals: uranium, radium, and thorium;
Specialty metals: lithium, germanium, gallium, and arsenic.
Industrial minerals: quartz, salt, potash, asbestos, talc,
feldspar, sulphur, phosphates.

Because minerals are nonrenewable, people should use
them wisely. E.g. Products made of minerals should be
reused and recycled to make the minerals last longer.
Minerals are taken out of Earth by mining; Some mines
are on the surface (Surface Mining) ; Others are dug deep
into the ground (underground mining).

Environmental Impacts of Mining
Harm the land surface, loss of aesthetic value

Trees and plants are removed, animals cannot live there,
loss of biodiversity
The land is dug up –degraded, land subsidence due to
underground excavation,
Mining also causes pollution; mine dust acid mine
drainage.
People are displaced (evacuated) and move to another
areas to which they have no adaptation.
Mining itself is risky especially when minerals are to be
excavated from great depth (underground mining).

Environmental Impacts of Mining
Causes air pollution: Mine dust, metal particles cause

health problems.
Water pollution due to sulphuric acid, and heavy metals,
causing health hazards.
Mineral processing releases dangerous chemicals.
Surface water pollution i.e. streams, lakes, due to acid
mine drainage, and heavy metal pollution aquatic, life
affected.
Occupational Health Hazards: Miners suffer from various
respiratory and skin diseases due to constant exposure to
the suspended particulate matter and toxic substances,
asbestosis, silicosis, black lung disease etc…

4. Food Resources
Food: It is a Organic matter taken to satisfy appetite. To

meet physiological needs for growth, to supply energy, to do
work, to maintain body temperature.
Plants: Four crops-wheat, rice, corn, and potato make up
most of the world’s total food production than all other
crops combined.
Livestock: Domesticated animals e.g. Cattle, sheep, goat,
camel, etc. meat, eggs, milk, cheese, and other products of
domesticated livestock.
Aquaculture: Marine and fresh water food contribute to
high quality protein in fish and sea food.

Balanced Diet: A balanced diet includes a variety of foods
from all 5 food groups. It should provide enough calories
and should include all the necessary daily nutrients.
A person should take all or most of the following groups of
food to maintain balanced nutrition.
Grains
Vegetables
Fruits
Meat & dairy products
Sugar & Fats

Effects of Modern Agriculture
It makes use of hybrid seeds of selected and single crop
variety, high-tech equipments and lots of energy subsidies ,
fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water.
In case of an attack by some pathogen, there is total
devastation of the crop by the disease due to exactly uniform
conditions.
Chemical Fertilizer pesticide Problems: Nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium (N, P, K) contaminate groundwater
and different levels of the ecosystem.
Cause eutrophication, lakes get invaded by algal blooms,
fishes are also killed, a lot of dead matter that starts getting
decomposed. Oxygen is consumed in the process of
decomposition and very soon the water gets depleted of
dissolved oxygen, ultimately
Compiled by Tameneanaerobic
Tadele @HU_2014 E.Cconditions are created.
33
Effects of Modern Agriculture

5. Energy Resources
Energy: Energy is the physical quantity, which can

manifest itself as heat, as mechanical work, as motion and
in the binding of matter by nuclear or chemical forces.
The two laws of thermodynamics describe the behavior
of energy:
First Law: States that energy may be transformed from
one form to the other, but cannot be created or destroyed:
Second Law: States that because some energy is always
dispersed into unavailable heat energy, no spontaneous
transformation of energy from one to other form is 100
%efficient.

World energy consumption

5. 1. SOLAR ENERGY
Sun is an inexhaustible and pollution free source of energy.
The solar energy originates from the thermonuclear fusion
reaction taking place in the Sun.
It is one of the important non-conventional energy sources.
Solar energy being non- polluting and non-depleted is
considered as renewable energy and thus fills into the
principle of sustainability.
Only 0.25 to 0.5 % of the solar energy reaching the earth is
utilized for photosynthesis.
Solar cells are used to convert the impinging solar radiation
into electricity.
The only disadvantage is it is too costly to install it!
5. 1. SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy is currently being used to generate electricity

using three technologies:
Direct Heating process
Solar photo-voltaic cells
Solar thermal process
Direct Heating Method
Plate collectors, solar panels, reflectors, concentrators etc
are used to collect and concentrate solar energy.
Solar energy increases the temperature.
This technology is being used in solar cookers, solar
ovens, solar dryers, solar water heaters, solar distillation
etc. Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 39
Solar Photo-Voltaic Cells (SPVC) Method
Solar photovoltaic technology is used for direct
conversion of solar radiation into electricity using solar
cells.
SPVC are thin wafers of silicon,(semi conductors ),
gallium, arsenide or cadmium telluride.
When light falls over the semi conductor surface, a part
of this light is absorbed and a voltage is generated.
This is only 0.5 volts. Therefore, a large number of
photovoltaic cells are connected .
Solar cells are used in street lighting, domestic lighting,
community lighting, small power plans and operation of
railway signals.
Solar Thermal Process Method
Solar energy is converted into solar thermal energy.

There are several methods to convert solar energy into
thermal energy, the common one is to use a member of
heliostats or mirrors and to focus them over absorber.
Some devices based upon solar thermal energy are water
heaters, solar air heaters, solar green houses, solar huts etc.

Advantages of Solar Energy
1. Solar energy is free and it is available locally in
abundance.
2. Solar energy is pollution free.
3. Systems are easy to install, generate and maintain.
4. System can be specifically designed according to
individual requirements.
5. Supply of hot water is instant and un interrupted
6. Recurring fuel costs are zero
7. Heating 100 liters of water to 600C by solar system results
in an energy saving of 1200 -1500 units (kilowatts hours)
of electricity per year.

5.2. Hydro Electric Energy
Electricity produced from waterpower is known as

hydroelectric energy.
The potential energy of falling water captured and
converted to mechanical energy by water wheel powered
the start of industrial revolution.
Large Scale Hydropower: In this case a high dam is built
across a large river to create a reservoir, water is allowed
to flow to through huge pipes laid along the steep hill
slopes (falling) at controlled rates, thus spinning turbines
( prime movers) and in turn generators producing
electricity.

5.2. Hydro Electric Energy
Small Hydropower: In this case a low dam with no
reservoir (or only a small one) is built across a small stream
and the water used to spin turbine to produce electricity.
Pumped Storage Hydropower: In this case the surplus
electricity conventional power plant is used to lift water
from a lake or tail race to another reservoir at a higher
elevator, water in the upper reservoir is released to spin the
turbine for generating electricity.
Hydropower is an economical, renewable and non-
polluting source of energy.
It includes construction of dams to produce the waterfalls
that fall on power turbines.
Hydropower Generation
Advantages Disadvantages
Moderate to high net energy High construction cost
High efficiency (80%) Converts land habitat to lake
Low cost electricity habitat
Provides water for year- Floods natural areas
round irrigation Danger of collapse
Long life span Decreases fish harvest
No carbon dioxide emission below dam
Reservoir is useful for
fishing and recreation.
May provide flood control
5.3. GEO-THERMAL ENERGY
The availability of geothermal energy depends on geographical
regions.
The earth contains large amounts of geothermal energy with
temperature as high as 4400°C.
This energy comes from magma, molten rock material beneath the
surface of the earth or from radioactive decay of thorium, potassium
and uranium dispersed throughout the earth’s interior.
In some regions of the earth this molten material sometimes breaks
through the earth’s crust and produces volcanoes.
In other regions, the hot material is close enough to the earth’s
surface to heat the underground water trapped by impermeable rock
and form steam.
Geysers and hot springs are natural areas where hot water and steam
come to the surface. In such areas geothermal energy is tapped by
drilling wells to obtain steam. Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 48
Geysers and hot springs

Advantage Disadvantage
Does not depend on It can be used only where
changing weather there are very hot rocks or
conditions such as sunlight hot water close to Earth’s
or wind surface.
It pollutes much less than Places where this happens
fossil fuels are not always close to
where the power is needed.

5.4. WIND POWER
High-speed winds (kinetic energy) have a great capacity

to generate power (electrical energy).
Wind energy is inexhaustible, cost effective, and eco-
friendly, non-polluting, and freely available source of
energy all over the day and night.
The instrument for harnessing wind power is called wind
mill.
Small windmills are in use in rural areas for power
generation, pumping water, grinding grains and other
domestic purposes,

5.4. WIND POWER
To generate electricity, the speed of wind should be from

10-20 km/hour, which is available on coast, mountain,
certain valleys and plains.
The force of wind rotates the wheel, which is connected
to a generator or turbine for generation of electricity.
Disadvantage of Wind
I) Noise Pollution
II) Blades may interfere with television reception or with
microwave communication

5.5. BIOMASS ENERGY
Biomass is the term used to describe the organic matter
produced by photosynthesis that exists on the Earth’s surface.
It can be used to produce electricity.
Biomass energy can be used as renewable source of energy
Plants traps solar energy and store through the process of
photosynthesis in which carbon dioxide and water are
transformed and form energy rich compounds.
Biomass conversion is done by using non biological and
biological process.
Plants are the major source of biomass.
Sun-the major source of energy for biomass, and plants act as
a chemical energy storage.
Extraction of Energy from Biomass
Solid Biomass: The use of trees, crop residues animal and

human waste, house hold or industrial residues for direct
combustion to provide heat.
Biogas: It is obtained an aerobically (without air) digesting
the organic material to produce ethane. Animal waste and
municipal waste are two common feed stocks for anaerobic
digestion.
Liquid Bio-fuels: They are obtained by subjecting organic
materials to one of the various chemical or physical
processes to produce a usable, combustible liquid fuel. Bio
fuels such as vegetable oils or ethanol are often processed
from industrial or commercial residues such as biogas or
from energy crops grown
Compiled byespecially forE.Cthese purposes.
Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 54
5.6. NUCLEAR ENERGY
Nuclear energy is nonrenewable source of energy,

which is released during fission (disintegration) or fusion
(union) of selected radioactive materials.
The major advantage is that even small quantities of
radioactive material can produce enormous amounts of
energy.
For example,
Energy produced by a tone of U-235 = 3 million tones of
coal = 12 million barrels of oil.
Environmental Impact: Nuclear fission power reactors
generate large quantities of radio active fission waste
products, which may remain dangerous for thousand of
years. In addition these are unsafe disposal methods.
5.6. NUCLEAR ENERGY
Advantages
Production of an enormous amount of energy from a
small quantity of radioactive material.
For example - One kg of Uranium (containing 0.7 per
cent of U-235) liberates energy equivalent to 35000 kg of
coal.
Since so much energy is produced by splitting atoms of
uranium, a nuclear plant needs only a tiny amount of fuel.
Nuclear power produces no air pollution.
Disadvantages
Building a nuclear power plant is very expensive.
Nuclear fuel is a nonrenewable resource; there is a
limited amount of uranium on Earth.
5.7. FOSSIL FUELS
Fossils fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) are energy rich substances
that have formed from the residues of dead organisms lived
200 to 500 million years ago.
This matter was buried under layers of sediment and
converted by heat and pressure into coal, oil and natural gas.
Fossil fuels largely consist of hydrocarbons, which are
compounds of hydrogen and carbon.
Most common and important fossil fuels are:
 Coal = solid fuel
 Petroleum = liquid fuel
 Natural gas = gaseous fuel

Majority of fossil fuels are being used in
Transportation
Industries heating
Generation of electricity.
Manufacture of gasoline
Manufacture of diesel
Manufacture of jet fuel
Once humans discovered the fossil, fuel they began
consuming them at an increasing rate.
From 1860 to 1970, total oil production was 227 billion
barrels (1 barrel=159 lts).
50% of this total was extracted during the first 100 years,
while the next 50% was extracted in next 10 years.
5.7.1 COAL
Nearly 27,350 billion metric tones of known coal deposits
occur on our planet.
56% of world coal reserves are located in Russia,
28% of world coal is located in USA and Canada.
5% of world coal are located India.
There are three types of coal depending on carbon content:
Anthracite or hard coal = 90% carbon content
Bituminous or soft coal = 85% carbon content
Lignite or brown coal = 70% carbon content

Advantages and Disadvantages of Coal
Advantages
Low cost (with huge substitutes)
Mining and combustion technology well developed
High net energy yield
Disadvantages
Land, air water pollution
Very high environmental impact
Releases radioactive particles and mercury into air
Severe threat to human health
High CO2 emission
Limited availability supplies (225-900 years)
5.7.2 PETROLEUM
Significance of petroleum over coal is that its greater energy
content than coal.
Petroleum is cleaner fuel when compared to wood or coal,
since it burns completely and leaves no residue.
There are 13 countries in the world having 67% of the
petroleum reserves which together form the OPEC (Oil
Producing and Exporting Countries).
About 40% of the total energy consumed in the entire world
is now contributed by oil.
Saudi Arabia oil producing has ¼th of the world oil reserves.
Six regions in the world are rich in petroleum: USA,
Mexico, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia.
The total oil reserves of our planet is about 356.2 billion
metric tones.
Hence the existing reserves would last for about 40 -50
years. So what shall we do??? Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 61
5.7.3. NATURAL GAS
Natural gas mainly consists of Methane (CH4) along with
other inflammable gases like Ethane and propane.
Natural gas is least polluting due to its low Sulpher
content and hence is clearest source of energy than other
fossil fuels.
It is used both for domestic and industrial purposes.
Natural Gas is used as:
A source of hydrogen gas in fertilizing industry
A fuel in thermal plants for generating electricity
A source of carbon in tyre industry.

Natural Gas
Advantages Disadvantages
Ample supplies (125 years) Non renewable resources
High net energy yield
Low cost ( with huge Releases carbon dioxide
subsidies) when burnt
Less air pollution than other Methane ( a green house
fossil fuels gas) can leak from pipelines
Moderate environmental Shipped across ocean as
import
Easily transported by highly explosive
pipelines Requires pipelines
Low land use while Sometimes burnt off and
extraction wasted
Environmental Impacts of using Fossil Fuels
Ash particles pollute atmosphere, cause lung disease

acid rain.
Sulphur and Nitrogen oxides burned with fossil fuel
react with rain, form acid rain.
Cause global warming by release of green house gases
like CO2, CH4.

Global Warming
Carbon dioxide is a major by product of fossil combustion

and this gas is known as green house gas.
Green house gases absorbs solar heat reflected off the earth’s
surface and retain this heat, keeping the Earth warm and make
harsh habitats for living organisms.
Rapid industrialization between 19th and 20th centuries
however has resulted in increasing fossils fuel emissions,
raining the percentage of carbon dioxide by about 28%.
This drastic increase has led to global warming that could
cause environmental problems, including disrupted weather
patterns and polar ice cap melting.
6. The Land Resource
Land is a major constituent of the lithosphere.

It is an important source of many materials essential to
man and other organisms.
It provides essential medium for development of
agriculture, forestry etc.
The per-capita land availability in different continents of
the world varies widely.

Soil
Soil is an organized mixture of minerals, organic material,

living organisms, air and water.
Soil fertility is determined by the inorganic matter, organic
matter, water and air spaces in the soil.
The mineral portion of the soil consists of various mixtures
of sand, silt and clay particles.
Soil is composed of five constituents:
(i) Mineral matter
(ii) Organic matter
(iii) Soil water
(iv) Soil air
(v) Living organisms Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 67
Mineral Matter
Derived from the underlying parent rock by its
weathering and occurs in the soil as particles.
Organic Matter
It is derived from plant refuse (leaves, twigs, roots), dead
bodies of organisms and their excreta(wastes).
The organic matter is broken down by microbes and is
converted into dark amorphous substance called humus.
Humus is a very useful substance in the soil.
It acts as natural fertilizer.

Soil Water
The spaces between soil particles are occupied by water or
air.
The water in the soil is present as capillary water,
hygroscopic water, combined water and water vapor.
Soil receives water either by rains or irrigation.
Soil Organisms
A variety of living organisms such as bacteria, fungi,
algae, protozoa, nematodes, earthworms occur in the soil.
The soil organisms perform following activities in the soil :
Decomposition of dead organic matter
Nitrogen fixation- Cyanobacteria.
Aeration of the soil - Burrowing (earth digging) insects and
worms
Several soil organisms take part in biogeochemical cycles.
Formation of Soil
Formed in situ from rocks or sediments or they may be

deposited after transport .
The principal factors that govern the formation and
properties of the soil include:
Climate: Temperature, rainfall, wind
Nature of the parent material: Mineral content, relative
portion of sand, silt and clay
The geomorphic setting, slope and drainage
Time: Longer period of weathering, the greater the extent of
soil formation.
Organism: Affects/influences the soil fertility
Equitable use of Resources for Sustainable Lifestyles
Rate of use of renewable resources do not exceed
regeneration rates.
Rate of use of non-renewable resources do not exceed rates
of development of renewable substitutes.
Rate of pollution emission do not exceed assimilative
capacities of the environment.
Aiming to achieve complete reuse, recycle and repair
Reducing fossil fuel use - maximizing the use of energy
conservation measures, shrinking energy intensive sectors
and introducing energy taxes
Improving the quality of materials to get products which are
more durable, repairable and recyclable and avoiding the use
hazardous materialsCompiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 71

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Chapter 2

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Chapter 2: Natural Resources

Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 1

Some resources are directly obtained from the environment

Based on their degree of renewability, resources are

They can replenish themselves through a natural process,

Sustainable yield: The highest rate at which a potentially

If the sustainable yield is exceeded, the base supply of

Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 3

For example, soil formation occurs at a rate of 2-3

Unwise farming practices, however, can cause 6-8 cm

Examples of renewable resources: biodiversity resources,

Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 4

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Adama Wind Power

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Are finite and exhaustible resources, resources that can

These include, fossil fuels and metallic mineral

Some nonrenewable resources like metallic resources can

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Resources which are inexhaustible in human life time

Perpetual resources such as solar energy is one that

Examples of perpetual resources

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The total environmental impact of population in a given area

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Some resources get exhausted soon, whereas other resources

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Where I: Impact on their environment

Main shortcoming is that the factors in the equation are

Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 20

Biomass is any material that was recently alive, including

Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 21

Precipitation is the primary source of water which may

Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 24

Water moves from the ocean to air to land to ocean in a

Compiled by Tamene Tadele @HU_2014 E.C 25

Mineral: Any naturally occurring chemical element or

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Precious metals: gold, silver, and the platinum group

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Harm the land surface, loss of aesthetic value

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Causes air pollution: Mine dust, metal particles cause

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Food: It is a Organic matter taken to satisfy appetite. To

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Energy: Energy is the physical quantity, which can

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Solar energy is currently being used to generate electricity

Solar energy is converted into solar thermal energy.

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Electricity produced from waterpower is known as

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