Natural history

Natural history is the study of the natural world. Specifically it is the observation and study of all living organisms, their life cycles and the relationships between species.

Natural history encompasses many different disciplines such as entomology (the study of insects), ornithology (the study of birds), botany (the study of plants), geology (the study of the earth) and many others.

Natural history is an extremely popular activity. People who engage in the study of natural history are called "natural historians" or, more commonly, "naturalists".

The cover of the February 2009 AES Bulletin showing a picture of Charles Darwin; one of the world's most famous naturalists.

Related terms

• Ecology
• Entomology

Related groups of terms

• General biology

Related pages on this web site

• Become an entomologist

See other words beginning with N