Part 1: Environmental Governance Chapter 2: The Office for Environmental Protection Section 44: Meaning of "natural environment"
In setting out the matters that are each considered to be environmental protection, section 44 uses the term "natural environment". The definition provided in the section includes living elements of the environment, namely plants, wild animals, other living organisms, and their habitats – both terrestrial and marine. However, it is not intended to include domesticated animals such as livestock and pets. The definition also includes non-living elements, namely air, water and land. This includes both the marine and terrestrial environments. "Water" will include seawater, freshwater and other forms of water, while "air" will include the atmosphere (including, for example, the ozone layer) and "land" will include soil, geological strata and other features. In addition, "land", as defined in the Interpretation Act 1978, includes "land covered with water" and therefore will include the sea bed. Buildings and other structures are excluded from the meaning of "land", however water and air are included regardless of whether they are outside or inside a building or other structure.
	The section also sets out that systems, cycles and processes through which the elements listed above interact are also included within this definition of the natural environment. This therefore includes ecosystems, and hydrological and geomorphological processes.