Concepts Important To Conservation The Need For Natural Resources

Like "conservation" itself, the term natural resources has undergone an expansion in meaning as a result of a greater understanding of the relationship of human beings with the world they inhabit. Early in the 20th century natural resources were viewed primarily as sources of useful commodities. They were the raw materials in the environment that were used or capable of being used by people for some purpose: minerals and fuels, forest and grazing resources, wildlife, fisheries, and the like. In a restricted sense, the term is still used in this way. More recently, however, the concept of natural resources has been broadened to include the total natural environment – the entire surface layer of the planet – because all parts of the Earth's surface are of use and of value in that they contribute to the production of the necessities and amenities that people require or demand. Thus, when considered in this respect, the atmosphere, oceans, deserts, and polar regions have all become valuable resources that must be managed with care to provide for the future. (Copyright © 1994-2000 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.)