natur

Natur, in German, refers to the natural world as opposed to human-made objects or artifacts. The term derives from Latin natura and entered German via the historical development of science and philosophy, where it came to designate the inherent properties of the physical world that are not produced by human design.

Natur encompasses living organisms, ecosystems, landscapes, geologic processes, weather and climate, and the laws that govern these phenomena.

Although humans are part of nature, the boundary between what is natural and what is artificial is often debated, especially in contexts of ecological modification, agriculture and technological materials.

The study of nature spans the natural sciences, including biology, ecology, geology, chemistry, physics, meteorology, and environmental science, as well as philosophy and the humanities that explore human-nature relationships.

Conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable use of resources are ways societies strive to maintain natural systems and their services for current and future generations.

In culture, nature has been central to philosophy, religion, art, and literature, shaping how people understand their place in the world.