An area that can be defined as land is referred to as land and land resources. It includes all characteristics of the biosphere that are directly above or below the surface of the earth, such as the near-surface, climate, soil and terrain forms, surface hydrology (including shallow lakes, rivers, marshes, and swamps), the near-surface sedimentary layers and the groundwater and geohydrological reserve that are associated with them, the populations of plants and animals, the pattern of human settlement, and the tangible effects of both past and present human activity, such as terracing, water storage or drainage structures, roads, buildings, etc.