What are the natural resources?

The natural elements in the natural environment that are related to the development of human society and can be used to produce use value and affect labor productivity are usually called natural resources, which can be divided into tangible natural resources (such as land, water, animals and plants, minerals, etc. ) and intangible natural resources, such as light resources and heat resources. ). Natural resources are characterized by availability, integrity, variability, uneven spatial distribution and regionality. They are the material basis of human survival and development, the source of social material wealth and one of the important foundations of sustainable development. Natural resources are divided into biological resources, agricultural resources, forest resources, land resources, mineral resources, marine resources, climate and meteorology, water resources and so on.

Natural resources generally refer to natural conditions (natural environmental elements) that exist in nature and can be used by human beings. The United Nations Environment Programme is defined as the natural environmental factors and conditions that can generate economic value to improve the current and future welfare of mankind under certain time and place conditions. It usually includes mineral resources, land resources, water resources, climate resources and biological resources. It is closely related to human society; It is not only an important foundation for human survival, but also a necessary condition and place for the source of raw materials and fuel for social production and production layout. Natural resources are only relative concepts. With the improvement of social productive forces and the progress of science and technology, some natural conditions can be transformed into natural resources. For example, with the development of seawater desalination technology, in arid areas, part of seawater and salty lake water may become the source of fresh water.