Nature

Nature (or disposition) is a term used to describe the physical world, comprising life, climate, land, water and air, which have not been intentionally made by humans. The term is also used for the general laws governing the movement of things, such as gravity and energy transformation.

The meaning of the term is not fixed. Sometimes it refers to the entire universe and its contents, sometimes only to undeveloped places such as forests, fields and seas. The distinction between 'nature' and the artificial is human-made, since humans are part of living systems.

Etymology

The English word 'nature' derives from the Latin 'natura', meaning 'birth' or 'essential quality'. Early Greek philosophy used the term 'physis' to describe how things grow and change. In Somali, the word 'dabeecad' carries both meanings: a person's habit and the living world.

Fields of study

From a scientific perspective, nature is usually divided into branches: animals and plants (biology), rocks and the structure of the earth (geology), air and climate (meteorology), and water (hydrology). The science of ecosystems (ecology) studies how these branches are connected and how energy and matter circulate among them.

Interaction with humans

Farming, livestock herding, mining and urbanisation have significantly altered the land. These activities have caused climate change, reduced species diversity, and interfered with water cycles. Governments and international bodies establish agreements and laws to govern the use of resources, such as the protection of ecosystems and limits on gas emissions.

Cultural and religious views

Many societies regard nature as sacred and as law. In Islam, the earth and all that lives on it are seen as signs pointing to the Creator, and humans have a responsibility to preserve them. In Somali culture, trees such as those found in villages, wells and pastures are managed under xeer (customary law) governing shared use.