What term describes all living and nonliving things found in nature, such as water, forests, minerals, and fertile land?

• A. Natural resources
• B. Natural environment
• C. Ecosystem
• D. Habitat

Answer: (B)

All living and nonliving things found in nature, such as water, forests, minerals, and fertile land, make up the natural environment. This term includes the air, water, soil, plants, animals, and minerals that exist in the natural world, not limited to any single system or resource. An ecosystem, while related, refers to a specific community of organisms and their interactions in a particular area, which is more focused. A habitat is the specific place where a species lives, emphasizing location rather than the broader environment. Natural resources are materials taken from nature for use, like water or minerals, and they’re just part of the natural world. So the natural environment best describes all components—living and nonliving—found in nature.