Question

What are biotic and abiotic resources? Explain.

Hint:

Remember: Biotic = living components (forests, animals, humans), Abiotic = non-living components (land, water, minerals). Together, they form the basis of life and development.

Answer 1

Definition of Resources:
Resources are all those things available in our environment which are technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable. They are used by human beings to satisfy their needs and improve their standard of living. Resources are broadly classified into two categories: Biotic resources and Abiotic resources.
Biotic Resources:
Biotic resources are those resources which are obtained from living organisms in nature. They come from plants, animals, microorganisms, and human beings. They are renewable in nature if used carefully, as they can reproduce and regenerate.
Examples:
- Forests provide timber, fruits, medicinal plants, and oxygen.
- Animals provide meat, wool, leather, and milk.
- Fisheries provide protein-rich food.
- Humans themselves are biotic resources because of their intelligence, skill, and labor.
Biotic resources are essential because they provide food, raw material for industries, medicines, and also maintain ecological balance.
Abiotic Resources:
Abiotic resources are non-living components of nature. They include land, water, air, minerals, coal, petroleum, metals, and rocks. These resources are finite in quantity and many of them are non-renewable. Once exhausted, they cannot be regenerated within a human lifespan.
Examples:
- Land for agriculture and settlement.
- Water for drinking, irrigation, and power generation.
- Minerals and metals such as iron, copper, and gold used in industries.
- Energy resources like coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Abiotic resources form the physical foundation on which human society and economy rest. Without them, industrial development, agriculture, and infrastructure would not be possible.
Interdependence:
Both biotic and abiotic resources are interdependent. For example, plants (biotic) need soil, water, and sunlight (abiotic) to grow, while human beings (biotic) depend on both categories for survival. Sustainable use of both ensures ecological balance and development.
\[ \boxed{\text{Hence, biotic resources are living resources, while abiotic resources are non-living resources.}} \]