Which of the following natural resources cannot be conserved?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which natural resource cannot be conserved. Conservation means protecting, managing, and using a resource wisely so it lasts and does not get depleted or degraded.

Step 2: Explain the concept

• Soil can be conserved by crop rotation, mulching, terracing, cover cropping, afforestation, and controlling erosion.
• Water can be conserved by avoiding wastage, harvesting rainwater, protecting catchment areas, and preventing pollution.
• Wildlife can be conserved through game reserves, national parks (such as Yankari Game Reserve), anti-poaching laws, and captive breeding.
• Air is a gaseous mixture that is everywhere and cannot be stored, fenced off, or managed in a limited area. We can reduce pollution of air, but we cannot conserve the air itself in the way the others are conserved.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. Soil: can be conserved ✔ (so not the answer)
• B. Water: can be conserved ✔ (so not the answer)
• C. Wildlife: can be conserved ✔ (so not the answer)
• D. Air: it is not depleted by use and cannot be set aside or stored. It is the one that cannot be conserved in the usual sense.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. air.

Exam tip: For "which cannot be conserved" questions, think of resources that are unlimited, freely available, and cannot be managed or protected in a particular area. Air fits. Soil, water, and wildlife all have practical conservation methods you can list in theory questions.