Natural environment
![Land management policies have been developed to preserve the natural characteristics of Hopetoun Falls, Australia while allowing ample access for visitors.](/Images/godic/202501/11/Hopetoun_falls1547.jpg")
![A satellite image of the Sahara desert; the world's largest hot desert and third-largest desert after Antarctica and the Arctic.](/Images/godic/202501/11/Sahara_satellite_hires1547.jpg")
![The Earth's layered structure. (1) inner core; (2) outer core; (3) lower mantle; (4) upper mantle; (5) lithosphere; (6) crust](/Images/godic/202501/11/Jordens_inre-numbers.svg1547.png")
![A volcanic fissure and lava channel.](/Images/godic/202501/11/Volcano_q1547.jpg")
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species. Climate, weather, and natural resources that affect human survival and economic activity. The concept of the natural environment can be distinguished by components: