Natural environment

| Main Article
| Discussion
| Related Articles  [?]
| Bibliography  [?]
| External Links  [?]
| Citable Version  [?]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

[edit intro]

(PD) Photo: Alan Liefting
Devils Punchbowl, New Zealand

The natural environment, commonly referred to simply as the environment, is a term that encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region of Earth.

## Terminology and concept[edit]

The concept of the natural environment can be broken down into a few key components:

* Complete ecological units that function as natural systems without massive human intervention, including all vegetation, animals, microorganisms, soil, rocks, atmosphere and natural phenomena that occur within their boundaries.

* Natural resources and physical phenomena that do not originate from human activity and lack clear-cut boundaries, such as air, water, and climate.

The natural environment is contrasted with the built environment, which comprises the areas of Earth that are strongly influenced by humans.