Natural heritage refers to the sum total of the elements of biodiversity, including flora and fauna, ecosystems, geological structures, and natural features. It is a term used to describe the natural resources that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed to future generations. The term "natural heritage" is less scientific and more easily comprehended by the wider audience interested in conservation. Natural heritage includes private and publicly protected natural areas, zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, natural habitats, marine ecosystems, sanctuaries, reservoirs, and more. The World Heritage Convention has provided international recognition to well over 10% of the total area of protected areas in the world, providing crucial protection to our planet’s most important natural resources. The conservation of natural heritage is critical to global human welfare, and it is achieved through science-based conservation efforts that protect native plant and animal life and the ecosystems upon which they depend.