This document discusses Earth resources and their management. It defines resources as materials, knowledge, staff, services, energy and other things that provide benefits to humans. Earth resources specifically include groundwater, soil, rocks, minerals, oil and gas. Resources are classified based on their origin (biotic vs abiotic), stage of development (potential, actual, reserved, stock) and renewability (renewable, nonrenewable, inexhaustible). Proper management of resources is increasingly important as population growth and rising standards of living lead to higher consumption rates of resources like water, food, fuel and minerals.