Nature

Mahogany: characteristics, history, uses and conservation Mahogany Mahogany is a durable tropical hardwood prized for furniture, joinery and boatbuilding. This article covers its species, properties, historical use, modern applications and conserv…

Manaslu — the eighth highest peak in the world Manaslu Manaslu (8,163 m) is the world's eighth-highest mountain in Nepal's Gorkha District. A dramatic Himalayan massif, it is known for its climbing history, cultural landscape and the p…

Manuel Antonio National Park A small but biodiverse national park on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, famed for white‑sand beaches, rainforest trails and abundant wildlife. Popular for hiking, wildlife view…

Manure: Organic Fertilizer — Types, Uses, History, and Environmental Issues Manure Manure is decomposed organic matter used to enrich soils. This article explains types, benefits, preparation, historical use, and environmental considerations for agricultural and…

Marojejy National Park, Madagascar Marojejy National Park A remote protected area in northeastern Madagascar known for steep rainforest, high biodiversity and endemic species — including rare lemurs — and for its importance to conservatio…

Masherbrum (K1): A Karakoram Peak in Pakistan Masherbrum Masherbrum, formerly K1, is a 7,821 m peak in Pakistan's Karakoram. Known for steep faces and technical climbing, it was first climbed in 1960 by George Irving Bell and Willi Unsoe…

Matterhorn — Iconic Alpine peak on the Switzerland–Italy border Matterhorn The Matterhorn (4,478 m) is a distinctive pyramid-shaped mountain in the Pennine Alps on the Swiss–Italian border, famed for climbing history, geology, and its role in alpine touri…

Mayon Volcano (Mount Mayon) Mayon Volcano Mayon Volcano is an active stratovolcano in Albay province, Philippines, famed for its near-perfect conical profile, significant volcanic activity, and status as a protected natura…

Meadow: a grass-dominated open habitat and its uses Meadow A meadow is an open habitat dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants. This article explains its characteristics, origins, management, ecological roles and distinctions from…

Meander (river bend): formation, evolution, and significance Meander A meander is a pronounced bend in a river channel formed by erosion and deposition. This article explains how meanders form, change over time, their ecological and human impacts, a…

Megaevolution: major evolutionary reorganizations and their significance Megaevolution Megaevolution denotes exceptionally large evolutionary changes—transformations that reorganize life’s major levels, such as the origin of eukaryotes, multicellularity, and the rapi…

Mica: sheet silicate minerals, properties, types and uses Mica Mica is a group of sheet-like silicate minerals with perfect basal cleavage. This article explains their structure, common varieties, occurrence, physical properties and principal…

Mons pubis: anatomy, development, function and clinical notes Mons pubis The mons pubis is the fatty tissue over the pubic symphysis, forming part of the external genital area. This article summarizes its anatomy, development, roles, common conditions a…

Monsoon: seasonal wind systems and their impacts Monsoon Monsoon describes seasonal, large-scale wind reversals that bring prolonged wet and dry periods to parts of Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia; driven by land–sea heating con…

Monsoon trough A region of low pressure and wind convergence that links the Intertropical Convergence Zone with seasonal monsoon circulations, steering heavy rainfall and tropical cyclone formati…

Moorland: upland acidic-soil habitats and their ecology Moorland Moorland are upland habitats on acidic, often peaty soils. This article explains their characteristics, global distribution, ecology, human uses, and conservation issues.

Morchella (morels): description, identification, ecology and culinary use Morchella Morchella, the true morels, are spring-fruiting ascomycete fungi with honeycomb caps. This article summarizes their appearance, ecology, taxonomy, culinary use, cultivation, identi…

Mould: biology, ecology, uses and health considerations Mould Mould (mold) is a form of multicellular fungus that grows as branching hyphae and mycelia; it plays key ecological roles, has useful applications, and can pose health and material…

Mount Hood: Oregon's Highest Peak and Potentially Active Stratovolcano Mount Hood Mount Hood is a prominent stratovolcano in northern Oregon, rising to 11,240 ft. It has glaciers, ski areas, cultural significance to Native peoples, and is monitored as a potentia…

Mountain: Definition, Formation, Types, and Importance Mountain Comprehensive overview of mountains: definitions, how they form, measurement and classification, ecosystems, human uses, hazards and notable examples.

Mycorrhiza: plant–fungus symbioses that shape terrestrial ecosystems Mycorrhiza Mycorrhizas are mutual associations between plant roots and fungi that improve nutrient and water uptake, influence soil structure and plant health, and form complex underground ne…

Namcha Barwa: prominent peak in the eastern Himalayas Namcha Barwa Namcha Barwa is a 7,782 m mountain in eastern Tibet, notable for its dramatic gorge, remote location, and climbing history; it was the highest unclimbed peak until 1992.

Nanda Devi: Peak, sanctuary and cultural landmark in Uttarakhand Nanda Devi Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is the highest mountain located entirely within India. A natural and cultural landmark in Uttarakhand, it anchors a protected sanctuary and is sacred in Hindu…

Nasal cavity (nasal fossa) Nasal cavity The nasal cavity is the paired air-filled space behind the nose that conditions inhaled air, houses the olfactory epithelium, drains paranasal sinuses and contributes to airway pro…

National Geographic (magazine) Monthly magazine of the National Geographic Society since 1888, known for its yellow border, photography, long-form journalism and reporting on geography, science, culture and hist…

National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution) National Museum of Natural History Major Smithsonian natural history museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with more than 500 million specimens, public exhibits (Insect Zoo, IMAX), research programs, and…

National park: definition, history, purposes, and notable examples National park A national park is a government-designated protected area established to conserve natural landscapes, wildlife and cultural values. This article explains definitions, history, mana…

Native species (ecology) Native (ecology) Native (indigenous) species occur in a region through natural processes rather than recent human introduction; this entry covers definitions, distinctions, ecological roles, and co…

Natural capital: stocks of nature that produce ecosystem services Natural capital Natural capital describes the stocks of minerals, plants, animals, soil, water and other natural assets that yield ecosystem services supporting economies, wellbeing and life on Ea…

Natural disaster: causes, types, impacts and mitigation Natural disaster An overview of natural disasters: major hazard types, how they become disasters when interacting with vulnerable societies, human influences, historical context, and approaches to…

Natural England: England’s public body for conserving nature Natural England Natural England is the government-funded body charged with conserving and enhancing England’s nature, advising on policy, managing protected sites, and helping people access and en…

Natural Environment: Definition, Components, Scales, and Importance Natural environment Overview of the natural environment: definitions, biotic and abiotic components, ecosystems and scales, natural resources and physical phenomena, human impacts, ecosystem services…

Natural fibre: types, properties, uses and environmental aspects Natural fibre Natural fibres are textile or structural filaments obtained from plants, animals or minerals. This article explains types, characteristics, processing, common uses, history and sus…

Natural gums: plant, seaweed and microbial polysaccharides used as thickeners and stabilizers Natural gum Natural gums are polysaccharide hydrocolloids from plants, seaweeds or microbes that modify viscosity, gelation and stability in foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and industrial pr…

Natural history: study of organisms, environments, and field practice Natural history Natural history is the observational study of plants, animals, geology and ecosystems in their natural settings, emphasizing field observation, collecting, classification, and the…

Natural History Museum (London): collections, history and public role Natural History Museum Major London museum housing extensive biological, geological and mineral collections; a centre for research, conservation and public education on Earth’s natural history.

Natural language: definition, features, history and contrasts with constructed languages Natural language Overview of natural languages: what they are, their main components and variability, simplified forms, history and uses, and how they differ from artificial or constructed language…

Natural person (legal concept) Natural person A natural person is a human being recognized by law as an individual with rights and duties, distinguished from legal or artificial persons such as corporations and organizations.

Natural resource: definition, types, uses, and management Natural resource A natural resource is any material or energy source obtained from the natural environment for human use. This article explains types, extraction, history, uses, and distinctions be…

Natural sciences: study, branches, methods, and significance Natural sciences An accessible overview of the natural sciences: what they study, main branches, methods such as the scientific method and mathematics, history, applications, and how they differ fr…

Natural units: systems of measurement based on physical constants Natural units Natural units are measurement systems that set selected universal physical constants to unity so that equations simplify. They arise in atomic physics, relativity and quantum gravi…

Naturalism: philosophy, arts, literature, and non‑supernatural spirituality Naturalism Naturalism is the view that natural causes and laws explain phenomena. It spans philosophy, science, arts, literature, ethics, and forms of religion or spirituality that exclude th…

Naturalism (philosophy): theory that the natural world is all there is Naturalism (philosophy) Philosophical naturalism holds that reality is exhausted by natural entities and processes; it shapes methods of inquiry, views about the supernatural, and debates about the scope…

Nature: the natural world and its relationship with people Nature A concise overview of nature: what it is, its major components and processes, how humans interact with it, and the sciences and conservation efforts that study and protect it.

Nature (journal) — multidisciplinary scientific weekly Nature (journal) Nature is a weekly multidisciplinary scientific journal founded in 1869. It publishes peer-reviewed research, letters, reviews, news and commentary for researchers and an educated…

Nature Cat (animated children's television series) Nature Cat Nature Cat is a PBS Kids animated series for children aged 3–8 that follows four adventurous animal friends exploring nature, science, and outdoor play through music, humour and le…

Nature reserve A nature reserve is a legally or privately protected area established to conserve wildlife, plants, geology and ecosystems for science, education and long‑term ecological health.

Nature versus nurture: understanding the causes of human differences Nature versus nurture An overview of the nature versus nurture debate: definitions, history, evidence, modern views on gene–environment interaction, research methods, examples, and common misconceptions…