Which term defines the controlled use and systematic protection of natural resources?

The term that defines the controlled use and systematic protection of natural resources is conservation. Conservation emphasizes the sustainable management and use of natural resources, ensuring that they are available for future generations while also protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. It involves practices such as responsible forestry, water management, and habitat protection, which all aim to balance human needs with the health of the environment.

Preservation, on the other hand, typically refers to maintaining natural resources in their current state, without human interference or use, which is not synonymous with controlled use. Utilization implies a broader and potentially unregulated use of resources, which can lead to overexploitation if not carefully managed. Exploitation suggests a more aggressive extraction of resources with little regard for sustainability, which conflicts with the ethos of conservation.