Resources are materials or substances that are useful to humans and can be obtained from the environment.

They are classified into living resources and non-living resources.

Living resources are obtained from plants and animals. They are renewable if properly managed.

(a) Plant Sources

1. Food crops – e.g., rice, maize, yam, cassava, vegetables, fruits


2. Cash crops – e.g., cocoa, oil palm, cotton, rubber, groundnut


3. Timber and wood – used for building houses, furniture, and paper


4. Fruits and nuts – e.g., cashew, coconut, palm fruits


5. Fibres – used for making ropes, mats, and textiles


6. Medicines – e.g., herbs, leaves, bark used for treating diseases

(b) Animal Sources

1. Food – meat, fish, eggs, milk


2. Clothing materials – wool, leather, fur


3. Hides and skins – used for making leather products like shoes and bags


4. Dairy products – milk, butter, cheese


5. Labour – animals like horses, oxen, and camels used for farming and transportation


6. Medicines – some animal products are used in traditional medicine


7. Honey and wax – obtained from bees

(c) Economic Importance of Living Resources

1. Provide food for nutrition and health


2. Provide materials for clothing and shelter


3. Source of income for individuals and communities


4. Promote trade and export to other countries


5. Provide raw materials for industries

Non-living resources are obtained from the environment and are not alive. They can be renewable or non-renewable.

(a) Renewable Non-Living Resources

1. Water – rivers, lakes, underground water used for drinking, irrigation, and industries


2. Air – used for breathing and industrial purposes


3. Sunlight – used for energy, photosynthesis, and electricity generation (solar energy)


4. Wind – used for generating wind energy and sailing

(b) Non-Renewable Non-Living Resources

1. Solid minerals – limestone, gold, tin, iron used in industries and construction


2. Fossil fuels – coal, petroleum, natural gas used as sources of energy


3. Rocks and stones – e.g., granite, limestone used for building and construction

Location of Some Minerals in Nigeria

1. Coal – Enugu


2. Gold – Plateau


3. Tin – Jos Plateau

(c) Economic Importance of Non-Living Resources

1. Source of raw materials for industries and manufacturing


2. Promote mining and industrial development


3. Generate income through local use and export


4. Contribute to the exchange rate and trade balance with other countries

1. Food and nutrition – provide energy and nutrients for survival


2. Shelter and clothing – resources are used to build homes and make clothes


3. Economic development – provide income and employment


4. Medicine and health – plants and animals provide materials for medicines


5. Energy – non-living resources like fossil fuels and sunlight provide energy

1. Planting trees to replace those cut down


2. Avoiding overfishing and overhunting


3. Reducing wastage of water, minerals, and energy


4. Recycling and reusing materials whenever possible


5. Protecting the environment from pollution

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CONCLUSION

1. Both living and non-living resources are essential for human survival and development


2. Proper management and conservation of resources help to ensure their availability for future generations