resource

A resource is a source or supply that can be drawn upon to meet needs or desires. It has utility and value, and can be natural, human, manufactured, or informational. The term is used across disciplines such as economics, geography, and environmental science to describe things that can be used, transformed, or consumed to support activities and well-being.

Natural resources are substances or components occurring in nature that can be used for economic and social purposes. They include air, water, soil, minerals, forests, and energy sources. Natural resources are typically categorized as renewable (such as solar, wind, or sustainably managed timber) or nonrenewable (such as fossil fuels and most minerals). Human resources encompass labor, skills, knowledge, health, and creativity. Capital resources are the manufactured inputs used in production, including machinery, infrastructure, buildings, and financial capital. Information resources include data, software, and intellectual property.

In economics, resources are factors of production used to create goods and services. Their availability is limited by geography, technology, and institutions, which creates scarcity. Allocation of resources is guided by markets, property rights, contracts, and policy. Efficiency, substitution, innovation, and investment influence how resources are used and welfare is distributed.

Sustainability considerations arise from resource use, particularly for nonrenewables and ecosystems. Management approaches emphasize maintaining renewable yields, reducing environmental impacts, recycling, and implementing governance and policy measures to balance current and future needs. The concept of a resource is context-dependent and evolves with technological advances, changing demand, and shifts in social values.