The natural environment encompasses the Earth's surface and atmosphere, including all living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) as well as the non-living components such as the air, water, soil, rocks, and other resources that are necessary to sustain life and ecological systems. It represents the part of the environment that is not directly created or significantly altered by human activities, although human actions increasingly have a global impact on natural environments. The study of the natural environment is crucial for understanding ecological processes, biodiversity, and the interactions between living organisms and their surroundings. It is also essential for addressing environmental challenges such as pollution, resource depletion, and climate change, which have significant social and ecological consequences.