All sources of wealth that occur spontaneously in nature, without the influence of humans and depending on certain conditions in the natural environment, are called natural resources.
Like all living things in nature, humans must use matter and energy to live. Living things meet their material and energy needs by using natural resources.
Natural resources can be classified in different ways according to the properties they have. If we classify living and nonliving natural resources according to their origin, plants, animals, fungi, etc. While creating living resources (soil, air, water, mines, oil, natural gas, sun, minerals, etc.), it also creates non-living natural resources.
We can classify natural resources according to their depletion status as depleted, inexhaustible and renewable under certain conditions.
Inexhaustible natural resources: These are resources that are constantly found in nature and are not affected by living consumption. The renewal rate of these resources is higher than the rate at which the organism consumes them. Sun, wind, water, waves, geothermal, and biomass are examples of these resources.
Exhaustible natural resources: These are resources whose consumption rate exceeds the renewal rate. Since the resource reserve is limited, it may take a very long time for the consumed resource to regenerate itself. Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil) and mines are examples of these resources.
Natural Resources That Can Be Renewed Under Certain Conditions: These are resources that have the ability to renew themselves when appropriate conditions are provided. For example, burned forest areas have the capacity to regenerate themselves when conditions are suitable and afforestation is done. Forest, soil, air, geothermal, wave, hydroelectricity, biomass, hydrogen, animals, pastures, and water resources are examples of these resources.