Natural resource

Rainforest on Fatu-Hiva, Marquesas Islands is an example of an undisturbed natural resource. The Upsala Glacier in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina is an example of a natural resource. The ocean is an example of a natural resource.

Natural resources (economically referred to as land or raw materials) occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity existent in various ecosystems.

Natural resources are derived from the environment. Many of them are essential for our survival while others are used for satisfying our wants. Natural resources may be further classified in different ways.

The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem, it will avail us little to solve all others.

—Theodore Roosevelt