Anything required by an organism to survive, grow, and reproduce
In biology and ecology, a resource is a substance or object in the environment required by an organism for normal growth, maintenance, and reproduction. Resources can be consumed by one organism and, as a result, become unavailable to another organism.[1][2][3] For plants key resources are light, nutrients, water, and space to grow. For animals key resources are food, water, and territory.
- ^ Miller, G.; Spoolman, Scott (2012). Living in the Environment Principles, Connections, and Solutions. Brooks/Cole. ISBN 978-0-538-73534-6.
- ^ Ricklefs, R.E. 2005. The Economy of Nature, 6th edition. WH Freeman, USA.
- ^ Chapin, F.S. III, H.A. Mooney, M.C. Chapin, and P. Matson. 2011. Principles of terrestrial ecosystem ecology. Springer, New York.