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Distribution of natural resources - EdexcelClassification of resources

The natural resources of the world are unevenly distributed with some regions having far more resources than others. The renewable and non-renewable resources of the UK are also unevenly distributed.

Part of GeographyPlaces and people in the UK

Classification of resources

Resources can be classified in several ways:

  • Abiotic - these are non-living resources which are often eg minerals, such as iron ore, that are used in the manufacturing of steel.
  • Biotic - these are previously living resources such as biofuel (eg palm oil in Indonesia) and timber (eg hardwoods from the Amazon).
  • Renewable - these are resources that can be replenished in a human lifetime - such as water, wind and solar power.
  • Non-renewable resources - these are resources that can only be used once within a human lifespan and will eventually run out - such as oil, gas and coal.