Naturprocesser

Naturprocesser, or natural processes, is a term used in ecology and environmental sciences to describe processes that occur in nature largely independent of direct human intervention. They include physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape environments and organisms over time, such as weathering of rocks, erosion, sediment transport, the hydrological cycle, soil formation, photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. Biological processes include pollination, seed dispersal, predation, competition, and symbiotic relationships, while geomorphological processes include uplift, erosion, and deposition.

Natural processes drive energy flow and matter cycling in ecosystems. Energy from the sun fuels photosynthesis; chemical reactions break down organic matter; nutrients cycle through air, water, soil, and organisms. Disturbances such as wildfires, floods, storms, and volcanic events reorganize communities and create new habitats, a concept known as ecological succession.

Understanding naturprocesser is essential for assessing ecosystem services, resilience, and biodiversity. They interact with human activity; land use change, pollution, and climate change can amplify or dampen natural processes. In management and conservation, practitioners increasingly seek to work with naturprocesser through restoration ecology and nature-based solutions, aiming to support ecosystem function while reducing negative impacts.

Scholars study naturprocesser across disciplines such as ecology, geomorphology, hydrology, and soil science, using field observations, experiments, and modeling. The concept emphasizes that natural dynamics underpin long-term environmental stability and the provision of resources for living systems.