Definition

Resource Depletion occurs when the renewable and non-renewable natural resources become scarce because they are consumed faster than they can recover. The term resource depletion is commonly associated with water usage, fossil fuel consumption, trees and fishing. All of these resources have been depleted primarily because of human activities.

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Actions like Deforestation remove more than enough trees from their environments that topsoil can be eroded, making the area unsuitable for plants and animals. Another example of how resource depletion occurs is through overfishing, limiting the species’ ability to repopulate each year because the population is reduced due to unsustainable fishing practices.

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Other Sources

“Are we using up more than what is Available?” The World Counts. http://www.theworldcounts.com/stories/consequences_of_depletion_of_natural_resources. Accessed August 18, 2016.

“Resource depletion.” Econation. http://www.econation.co.nz/resource-depletion/. Accessed August 18, 2016.

“What is Depletion of Natural Resources?” Conserve Energy Future. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-depletion-natural-resources.php. Accessed September 27, 2019