RN: Resources - Natural Capital

The Earth contains many resources which support the natural systems.

Biosphere (living parts)

• Forest 
• Grassland 
• Desert 
• Tundra
• and other biomes
• Upper layer of the atmosphere 

Humans have an anthropocentric (human-centred) view toward these resources and uses.

If properly managed, renewable and replenishable resources are forms of wealth that can produce natural income

The income from natural capital may be in the form of goods or services Goods: Marketable commodities. Ecological services: Flood and erosion protection, climate stabilisation, maintenance of soil fertility.

Natural capital or resources are divided into 3 parts: renewable, non-renewable, and replenishable. 

• Renewable is living species and ecosystems which can be replaced by natural productivity. 
• Replenishable is non-living resources which are continuously restored by natural processes (e.g. rivers and streams, the ozone layer.
• Non-renewable – Natural resources which cannot be replenished within a timescale.(fossil fuel or coal)

Dynamic nature and concept of a resource

• The value of resources has been changed over time as long as human keep develop new technologies.
• Resources become more valuable as new technologies need them.