What is the natural environment?

The natural environment consists of land-based ecosystems such as grasslands and forests, aquatic
ecosystems such as rivers and wetlands, and coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves and sea-
grass meadows.

A rocky coastline

Ecosystems include animals and plants and the interactions they have with each other and their physical
environment. Climatic conditions, particularly rainfall patterns and fire regimes, strongly affect the type
and extent of an ecosystem and the animals and plants that are present.

The natural environment system spans public and private land. There are not clear boundaries between
where the natural environment system ends, and other systems begin. There are strong connections
between the natural environment system and the primary production system, built environment and
water cycle systems. These are described later in this Plan.

Why is the natural environment important?

Victoria’s natural environment has an intrinsic right to exist and flourish.

The state’s diverse and unique mix of plants, animals, soils, seas and waterways function together as
ecosystems, which produce some of our most basic needs – clean water, productive soil, natural pest
control, pollination, flood mitigation and carbon sequestration.

Victoria’s natural environment is fundamental to human wellbeing and the quality of human life. The
natural environment contributes to our economy through the provision of goods and services, to our
mental and physical health, and to our spiritual and cultural wellbeing.

The value of these ecosystems to humans is immeasurable. Replacing the services they provide would be
extremely challenging and costly, if not impossible.
The natural environment provides a wealth of benefits and offers the potential for more to be
discovered. Maintaining our natural environment for future generations is important insurance in the
face of ongoing change.