What term describes the natural environments where wild plants and animals live?

The term that best describes the natural environments where wild plants and animals live is "ecosystems." Ecosystems encompass the interactions between living organisms (both plants and animals) and their physical environment. They include all the biotic factors (like plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms) as well as the abiotic components (such as soil, water, and climate) that together create a balanced environment.

While "animal habitats" might seem close, it specifically refers to the places where animals reside, not accounting for plant life or other living components of the environment. The concept of "biomes" refers to large regions characterized by specific climatic conditions and types of organisms, but it is broader and does not focus on the interactions within a specific ecosystem. "Animal reserves" are more about conservation areas set aside for protecting wildlife, rather than the natural environments in which those wild plants and animals exist.