A renewable exhaustible natural resource is

Options

A. Forest
B. Coal
C. Petroleum
D. Minerals

Answer

To determine which option represents a renewable exhaustible natural resource, we need to analyze the definitions and characteristics of the options provided:

1. **Understanding Natural Resources**:
- Natural resources are materials that occur in nature and can be used by humans to meet their needs. They can be classified based on their availability and renewability.

2. **Classification of Natural Resources**:
- **Renewable Resources**: These are resources that can be replenished naturally over time. They are abundant and can be used repeatedly. Examples include solar energy, wind energy, and forests.
- **Non-Renewable Resources**: These resources exist in limited quantities and cannot be replenished once they are used. Examples include coal, petroleum, and minerals.
- **Exhaustible Resources**: These are resources that are present in limited amounts and can be completely depleted through human activities.
- **Non-Exhaustible Resources**: These resources are abundant and cannot be exhausted, such as solar energy.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Forest**: Forests are renewable because they can regenerate over time, but they can also be considered exhaustible if they are over-harvested or destroyed.
- **Coal**: Coal is a non-renewable resource as it takes millions of years to form and cannot be replenished in a human timeframe.
- **Petroleum**: Similar to coal, petroleum is a non-renewable resource that is limited in supply.
- **Minerals**: Minerals are also non-renewable resources, as they cannot be replenished once extracted.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Among the options provided, forests are the only resource that is both renewable and exhaustible. They can regenerate, but if exploited unsustainably, they can be depleted.

Therefore, the correct answer is **forests**.