Geography World - Resources / Energy - (copy) Terms related to the identification and conservation of natural resources Tools A B natural resource something found in nature that is used raw material resource that is changed before it is used recyclable resource is used over and over without destroying renewable resource is destroyed but can be replaced nonrenewable resource cannot be replaced once used parent material rock from which nature makes soil mechanical weathering nature physically breaks up rock chemical weathering dissolves rock material humus decayed pland and animal material that makes soil fertile leaching excesive rainfall drains soil of its nutrients biotic resources resources from living things fossil fuels oil, coal, natural gas salt nonmetallic mineral important to human health adaptation how plants and animals adjust to their environment types of coal peat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite TVA Tennessee Valley Authority - produces energy for large parts of the south strip mining removes topsoil to get at coal near surface alternative energy resources wind, water, solar, geothermal, tides, etc. ore rock which contains metal fresh water only makes up about 3% of total water supply