The biotic resources can be obtained in the raw form, or by means of cultivation through agriculture. Petroleum is a resource included in the category of biotic natural resources; the organic origin or petroleum is the reason behind its inclusion in biotic resources. The following list provides names of resources directly obtained from the biosphere. Most of the biotic resources are non-renewable in nature. Petroleum and natural gas were formed through years of decomposition of organic matter. This organic matter included the remains of plants and animals. Therefore, the resources are categorized as biotic.
- Timber
- Petroleum
- Natural Gas
- Fruits
- Wax (tree wax)
Biotic Resources (Agriculture): Crops obtained through farming are the important natural resources. Few of the resources are given below.- Rice, Wheat and Corn: These are the cereals widely used by people the world over. Wheat, rice and corn form the bulk of grains cultivated by farmers for consumption.
- Cotton: It is a cash crop which produces raw material for manufacturing of garments. Nowadays, even synthetic fibers are used for manufacturing garments, however, cotton holds the major share.
- Sugarcane: The sugarcane crop, just like cotton is considered a cash crop for farmers. Sugar prepared from its cane is used in a variety of food products. In fact, the bakery products and other sweetmeats require sugar as its basic ingredient.
The crops mentioned above are important ones. The list of other plants used for the purpose of cultivation is presented below.- Parsley
- Oat
- Rye
- Basil
- Bay
- Cauliflower
- Catnip
- Sunflower
- Garlic
- Peas
- Okra
- Squash
- Carrot
- Zucchini
- Celery
- Brussels Sprouts
The use of seafood including fish and other creatures (crabs, prawns, etc.) by human beings is in practice for a long time. However, the disastrous consequences of this activity are influencing the world. Inclusion of these organisms in the list of natural resources should therefore, be a matter of debate. It has been proved that fishing disrupts the ecological balance and also affects the fish habitat adversely. Similarly, feeding on terrestrial animals (meat) also has affected the food web to a great extent. Enlisting the names of these creatures as 'resources' might spark a debate in a world where we are increasingly becoming aware of problems associated with the fragile ecosystem.
