GC: n
CT: The natural environment is the set of living and non-living things on Earth which occur in a state substantially not influenced by humans. The term is most often applied to an ecological complex, which includes all of the plants; animals; microorganisms; abiotic factors such as minerals; rocks and magma; water bodies; and atmosphere layers. There are extremely complex interactions between the living organisms and abiotic elements as well as meteorological influences, all of which combine to form rich speciation and biodiversity in most natural systems. Exceptions to this species richness are in extreme conditions of pH, temperature and deep ocean conditions, where only a limited number of biological species are able to survive as a result of specialized adaptations to these difficult environments.
In contrast to the natural environment is the built environment. In such areas where man has fundamentally transformed landscapes such as urban settings and agricultural land conversion, the natural environment is greatly modified and diminished, with a much more simplified human environment largely replacing it. Even events which seem less extreme such as hydroelectric dam construction, or solar array construction in the desert, the natural environment is substantially altered.
S: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/154794/ (last access: 23 December 2014)
N: 1. natural (adj): c.1300, naturel, “of one’s inborn character; hereditary, by birth;” early 14c. as “of the world of nature (especially as opposed to man),” from Old French naturel “of nature, conforming to nature; by birth,” and directly from Latin naturalis “by birth, according to nature,” from natura “nature”.
environment (n): c.1600, “state of being environed” (see environ + -ment); sense of “the aggregate of the conditions in which a person or thing lives” first recorded 1827 (used by Carlyle to render German Umgebung); specialized ecology sense first recorded 1956.
2. The quality of the natural environment is directly related to people’s quality of life. Population growth and economic development put pressure on the sustainability of the natural environment. Pressure for expansion of the urban area into peripheral areas will have effects on the natural ecosystems of both the land and sea. Issues such as environmental pollution, waste generation and management, heritage protection and preservation of indigenous wildlife in built-up areas are all important issues to be considered as urban areas grow and develop.
3. The purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment process is to facilitate the early identification and resolution of potentially significant environmental effects of natural resource development projects on the biophysical and human environment.
4. natural environment; biophysical environment: terms used by Parks Canada.
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=natural&searchmode=none; http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=environment&searchmode=none (last access: 23 December 2014). 2. http://www.qualityoflifeproject.govt.nz/natural.htm (last access: 23 December 2014). 3 & 4. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 23 December 2014).
SYN: biophysical environment
S: TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 23 December 2014)
