El capital natural se divide en diferentes tipos de ecosistemas y componentes de los ecosistemas (los últimos anteriormente se denominaban activos de capital natural). Los 15 tipos de ecosistemas se basan en los biomas incluidos en la Tipología global de los ecosistemas (TGE) 2.0 de UICN. Junto con ocho componentes de los ecosistemas, que se enumeran a continuación, los tipos de ecosistemas brindan mayores detalles sobre los hábitats y las especies. Los componentes de los ecosistemas se basan en la clasificación de activos de capital natural desarrollada por UNEP-WCMC, que toma como base un artículo científico anterior publicado en la revista científica Ecosystem Services.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the mass of air surrounding the earth. Its components (such as oxygen) and its processes (such as temperature regulation) support a number of essential ecosystem services.
Land geomorphology
Land geomorphology describes the structure of the land, such as mountains and valleys. Land geomorphology supports the provision of regulatory services, like erosion control.
Minerals
Minerals are naturally occuring compounds not produced by living beings. They can be metallic or non-metallic and play an important supporting role in the provision of services like soil quality.
Ocean geomorphology
Ocean geomorphology describes the structure of the marine environment such as shelfs and slopes. Ocean geomorphology supports the provision of regulatory services, like dilution by ecosystems.
Soils and sediments
Soils and sediments are the layers of the earth's surface that support life. They comprise top-soil, sub-soil and ocean sediments and support a number of regulatory services.
Species
Species includes plants, animals, fungi, algae and genetic resources, which can be wild or domestic/commercial, for example livestock. Like habitats, species underpin a wide range of ecosystem services.
Structural and biotic integrity
Structural and biotic integrity relates to the extent to which the physical structure and composition of an ecosystem falls within its natural range of variation. These structural characteristics, such as canopy height and vegetation density, underpin many of the ecosystem services provided by ecosystems.
Water
Water includes surface water, ground water, ocean water, fossil water and soil water. Water is essential for a wide range of ecosystem services.