Which one of the following is an abiotic and renewable natural resource?

Introduction / Context:
Natural resources can be classified in many ways, including biotic versus abiotic and renewable versus non renewable. Biotic resources are derived from living organisms, while abiotic resources come from non living components of the environment. Renewable resources can be replenished naturally within a human time scale, whereas non renewable resources are finite. This question asks which resource is both abiotic and renewable, combining these two classification criteria.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Abiotic resources are non living, such as minerals, water, air, and sunlight.
• Biotic resources are living or derived from living organisms, such as livestock, forests, and fisheries.
• Renewable resources are replenished naturally and can be used repeatedly if managed well.
• The options include iron ore, livestock, water, forests, and fisheries.

Concept / Approach:
To determine which resource is both abiotic and renewable, we look for a non living resource that can be naturally replenished. Water is a non living resource and is replenished through the hydrological cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, so it is classified as both abiotic and renewable, although it can become scarce regionally. Iron ore is abiotic but non renewable. Livestock, forests, and fisheries are biotic because they involve living organisms, even though they may be renewable if managed sustainably. Therefore, water is the only option that fits both conditions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify which options are abiotic. Iron ore and water are non living resources, while livestock, forests, and fisheries are living or biotic resources.Step 2: Among abiotic resources, check which are renewable. Iron ore is formed over geological time scales and is considered non renewable, because once mined and used it cannot be quickly replaced.Step 3: Water, on the other hand, moves through the water cycle and can be replenished by rainfall, rivers, and groundwater recharge, so it is treated as a renewable resource if managed responsibly.Step 4: Confirm that livestock, forests, and fisheries are biotic resources because they involve plants and animals, even though they are renewable.Step 5: Conclude that the only resource that is both abiotic and renewable among the options is water.

Verification / Alternative check:
Environmental science textbooks classify water, air, and solar energy as abiotic renewable resources when discussing natural resource categories. The same texts classify minerals like iron ore as abiotic but non renewable and regard living systems like forests and livestock as biotic resources. This framework directly supports water as the correct answer and confirms that none of the other options satisfy both criteria at the same time.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Iron ore is non living and therefore abiotic, but it is not renewable because it takes millions of years to form and existing deposits are finite. Livestock involves animals, forests involve trees and plants, and fisheries involve aquatic organisms; these are all biotic resources, not abiotic, even though they can be renewed through reproduction and careful management. Thus, they do not satisfy the requirement of being abiotic and renewable together.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may focus only on renewability and ignore the abiotic versus biotic distinction, leading them to choose forests or fisheries because they can regenerate. Others may focus only on non living resources and choose iron ore without considering that it is non renewable. To answer such questions correctly, it is important to consider both parts of the classification simultaneously and confirm that a resource meets all specified conditions.

Final Answer:
Water is an abiotic and renewable natural resource among the options listed.