The natural environment refers to all living and non-living things occurring naturally, meaning not because of humans. It encompasses the interaction of all living species, climate, weather, and natural resources that affect human survival and economic activity. The natural environment can be distinguished from the built environment, which refers to areas that have been fundamentally changed and impacted by human activity, such as cities and towns.
The natural environment consists of land-based ecosystems such as grasslands and forests, aquatic ecosystems such as rivers and wetlands, and coastal and marine environments. It also includes ecological units that function as natural systems without massive human intervention, including all vegetation, microorganisms, soil, rocks, the atmosphere, and natural phenomena that occur within their boundaries and their nature.
The natural environment is important because it has an intrinsic right to exist and flourish, and it contributes to human well-being and the quality of human life. It provides goods and services, such as food, water, and clean air, and it contributes to our mental and physical health, as well as our spiritual and cultural well-being. The value of these ecosystems to humans is immeasurable, and replacing the services they provide would be extremely challenging and costly, if not impossible.
In summary, the natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally, and it is distinguished from the built environment. It is important because it provides goods and services that contribute to human well-being and the quality of human life.
