Global Distribution & Consumption of Natural Resources (Edexcel GCSE Geography A)

Variety & Distribution of Natural Resources

What is the global distribution of natural resources?

• Natural resources are not evenly distributed 

Fossil fuels

• Fossil fuels are formed by deposition of plant and animal remains that have been compressed over millions of years

  • They are located in areas of sedimentary rocks

  • Although they are found around the world, the main reserves are:

    • Oil and gas - Middle East, Russia and the United States

    • Coal - Russia, Australia, India and the USA

Minerals

• Minerals such as copper, gold and diamonds are found in areas of past or current volcanic activity

  • The west coast of North and South America have significant copper deposits

• Iron ore is found in sedimentary rocks

Global distribution of minerals and fossil fuels

Agriculture and forestry

• Over 44% of the world's land surface is used for agriculture

• Approximately 31% of the world's land surface is covered by forest

  • Over 1 billion hectares of this forest are used by humans

• The distribution of agriculture and forestry is dependent on climate and soils

Global distribution of main agriculture types

Global distribution of forest types

What is the distribution of natural resources in the UK?

Fossil fuels and minerals

• Due to the geology of the UK, there are a range of natural resources 

• Fossil fuels include:

  • Coal - reserves in Yorkshire, South Wales, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have been extensively mined

  • Oil and gas were discovered in the North Sea in the 1960s

    • Since then, several oil and gas platforms have exploited these resources

Forests

• After the last ice age large areas of the UK were covered with trees, both deciduous and coniferous

  • This decreased to a low of 5% in 1900

  • It has now increased to 13%, this is almost back up to the coverage in 1086

• The largest areas of forest are found in Scotland

Farming

• In 2021, 71% of the UK was used for agriculture

• The type of agriculture varies across the UK depending on climate and relief

  • Sheep farming dominates areas of high relief and precipitation

  • Arable farming dominates drier, flatter areas in the east of the UK

Distribution of agriculture in the UK

Water

• Water resources are unevenly distributed across the UK

• Precipitation is highest in the north and west

  • Demand is the lowest in these areas due to low population density

  • This means supply exceeds demand

• Precipitation is the lowest in the south and east 

  • Population density is highest in these regions

  • This means that demand exceeds supply

• Reservoirs in areas such as Wales and Northumberland mean that water can be transferred from some areas of surplus to areas of higher demand

UK population density and precipitation

Global Patterns of Consumption of Natural Resources

• Global patterns of consumption of natural resources also vary

• Individuals in developed countries consume approximately ten times more resources than in developing countries

• As countries develop people within them use more energy, food and water because:

  • People have more money to spend on resources and food

  • Appliances use more energy

  • Industry increases 

What is the global pattern of food consumption?

• The lowest calorie intake is in developing countries,

  • In countries such as Uganda and Zambia calorie intake is less than 2100 per day

  • This leads to under-nourishment

• High-calorie intake occurs in developed countries

  • In countries such as the USA and France, the intake is over 3,500 calories per day

  • This can lead to obesity

Global calorie intake 

What is the global pattern of energy consumption?

• Energy demand is predicted to increase over 3% a year up to 2030

• Over 70% of this increase in demand will come from China, India and Southeast Asia

• The highest energy consumption is in:

  • Developed countries

  • Countries with large reserves of energy sources

• The lowest energy consumption is in:

  • Developing countries

What is the global pattern of water consumption?

• Water is essential for life but only 2.5% of water on Earth is freshwater

Sources of water

• It is used in all aspects of life for domestic use, agriculture, industry and energy

• Global water use by sector is: 

  • 70% agriculture: irrigation of crops and water for livestock

  • 20% industry: producing goods and generating energy

  • 10% domestic: toilets, cooking, cleaning, washing

• The use by sector varies across countries depending on whether they are developed, emerging or developing 

Water Use 

• In developing and emerging countries, most water is used for agriculture

• The use of water in leisure and tourism is increasing, particularly in developed countries

• In developed countries, most water is used for industry