Natural elements are those elements than have been produced by nature, without the intervention of man.

Natural elements can be grouped in:

• Water
• Air
• Soil
• Plants
• Animals

We have to take into account that man can produce clons of plants or water made in a laboratory. These man made elements are not natural elements.

Natural Resources and Natural Elements

Natural resources are a subset of natural elements. Natural resources are those natural elements which can be exploited by mankind to satisfy certain needs. All natural resources are natural elements, but not every natural element is a natural resource.