Class 6 Science · Chapter 11 NotesNature's Treasures

Natural resources are materials or components that can be found in nature and are essential for the survival of living beings. These resources are provided by nature and are used to meet our needs. Natural resources can be classified into two main categories: renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are those that can be replenished or restored within a reasonable period of time, such as air, water, and forests. Non-renewable resources are those that are found in limited quantities and take a long time to form, such as minerals, soil, rocks, coal, petroleum, and natural gas. It is important to use these resources judiciously to ensure their availability for future generations.

• Natural resources are essential for the survival of living beings
• Renewable resources can be replenished within a reasonable period of time
• Non-renewable resources are found in limited quantities and take a long time to form

Forests are large areas with dense growth of various types of plants. They provide a natural home for many wild animals, including birds and insects. Forests offer food and shelter to these animals. They also play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature. Forests provide us with a variety of products such as fruits, nuts, timber, and medicinal herbs. It is important to preserve and use forests responsibly to ensure their sustainability. Over the years, the forest cover has been decreasing due to human activities like large-scale cutting of trees. Therefore, efforts must be made to protect and restore forests.

• Forests provide a natural home for many wild animals
• Forests offer a variety of products such as fruits, nuts, timber, and medicinal herbs
• Preserving and using forests responsibly is crucial for their sustainability

Water is a precious and essential resource for all living beings. It is used for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, cleaning, growing crops, and industrial purposes. Most of the water on Earth is found in oceans and seas, but this water is saline and not fit for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. Freshwater, which is present in the form of ice sheets, snow, rivers, lakes, and underground, is easily accessible and fit for consumption. Water is a renewable resource, but it is important to use it judiciously and prevent pollution to ensure its availability for future generations. Activities such as turning off taps when not in use, fixing water leakages, recycling water, and water harvesting can help in conserving water.

• Water is a precious and essential resource for all living beings
• Freshwater is easily accessible and fit for consumption
• Conserving water and preventing pollution are crucial for its availability for future generations

Minerals are naturally occurring substances that have a definite chemical composition and physical properties. They are found in rocks and are used in various industries for manufacturing products such as airplanes, cars, jewellery, cosmetics, and electrical and electronic equipment. Important metals such as aluminium, gold, copper, and iron are extracted from minerals. Mining is the process of extracting minerals from the Earth. It is important to conserve and use minerals responsibly as they are non-renewable resources and take thousands to millions of years to form.

• Minerals are naturally occurring substances with a definite chemical composition and physical properties
• Important metals such as aluminium, gold, copper, and iron are extracted from minerals
• Conserving and using minerals responsibly is crucial as they are non-renewable resources

Energy from the Sun is the main source of energy on Earth. It provides heat and light for various activities such as drying clothes, cooking, and generating electricity. Solar panels capture the Sun's energy and produce electricity. Energy from the Sun can also be directly used for cooking in a solar cooker or for heating water in a solar water heater. Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas are non-renewable resources that take millions of years to form. They are used for generating electricity and as fuels for vehicles. However, over-dependence on fossil fuels has resulted in large-scale air pollution. It is important to explore alternate sources of energy and use fossil fuels judiciously to ensure their availability for future generations.

• Energy from the Sun is the main source of energy on Earth
• Solar panels capture the Sun's energy and produce electricity
• Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources that take millions of years to form

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms found in a particular area. It includes the diversity of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Biodiversity is essential for the survival of living beings as it ensures food for every living being. Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans gain from the natural environment and properly functioning ecosystems. These services include the provision of food, water, timber, and fibre, the regulation of the climate, the purification of air and water, and the cycling of nutrients. It is important to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services to ensure the sustainability of nature and the availability of resources for future generations.

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms found in a particular area
• Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans gain from the natural environment and properly functioning ecosystems
• Conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services is crucial for the sustainability of nature and the availability of resources for future generations