Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography A (1GA0) · Spec 6.1 and 6.2
Resource management overview
Read the notes, then try the questions. Each one is marked the moment you press Check, and shows the right answer and why.
Key ideas
- Biotic resources come from living things (timber, fish, crops). Abiotic resources come from non-living things (rock, water, sunlight).
- A mineral is a naturally occurring solid in rock that is mined, such as iron ore. In this course coal is counted as a fossil fuel, not as a mineral.
- A renewable resource is replaced naturally within a human lifetime or does not run out. Recycling is an action, not a type of resource.
- Resource use varies a lot between countries. For example, richer countries use much more energy per person.
- Exploiting resources can cause harm. Deforestation reduces biodiversity because habitats are lost, so animals lose food and shelter.
Key terms
- Biotic
- Comes from living things.
- Abiotic
- Comes from non-living parts of the environment.
- Renewable
- Replaced naturally within a human lifetime, or does not run out.
- Non-renewable
- Finite. Used up much faster than it forms.
- Soil erosion
- Soil being washed or blown away.
Common mistakes
- Saying biotic means non-living. Biotic means from living things.
- Saying a renewable resource is one that can be recycled. Renewable means replaced naturally.
- Explaining biodiversity loss with 'the soil can't get sunlight'. Soil is not alive. The cause is lost habitat.
Exam tip
For a data question, read the figures carefully and check each statement against the numbers. Use words like 'more than 40 times' only when you have done the sum.
Free practice questions
6 questions, 7 marks. Answer, then press Check. The marking guide explains how the marks are worked out. Nothing is saved.
- Question 1 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which of these is a biotic natural resource?
- Question 2 · Choose more than one[2 marks]
Primary energy use per person, 2022 (kg of oil equivalent): Qatar 16,760.8; Germany 3,261.0; United Kingdom 2,249.6; Peru 826.4; India 725.9; Nepal 429.2; Ethiopia 378.7; Nigeria 334.1. Which TWO statements are true?
Choose 2.
- Question 3 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which is the best explanation of why deforestation reduces biodiversity?
- Question 4 · True or false[1 mark]
Is this statement true or false?
- Question 5 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which of these is a mineral resource?
- Question 6 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which statement correctly describes a renewable resource?