A principle or an ontology found within societies that differentiate different sections of the society, according to the attachment of these sections to animal or plant tutelar spirits. In other words, totemism defines discontinuities in social order according to each group's attachment to a specific animal or plant spirit that is perceived as having similar features to this section (or clan) and an innerself that also ressembles people in this section (and reciprocally).
A concept in cost-benefit analysis that refers to the value derived by people from a natural resource, a man-made heritage resource or an infrastructure system, compared to not having it.
The total catch allowed to be taken from a resource within a specified time period (usually a year) by all operators; designated by the regulatory authority. Usually allocated in the form of quotas.
The total catch allowed to be taken from a resource within a specified time period (usually a year) by all operators; designated by the regulatory authority. Usually allocated in the form of quotas (IUCN, 2012a).
The upper part of a natural soil that is generally dark coloured and has a higher content of organic matter and nutrients when compared to the (mineral) horizons below. It excludes the litter layer.
A level of change in system properties beyond which a system reorganizes, often abruptly, and does not return to the initial state even if the drivers of the change are abated.
The altitude (in mountains) and latitude above which trees are unable to grow - also called tree line (Lawrence, 2005).
In agriculture, the preparation of soil for planting and the cultivation of soil after planting.
Intertidal, non-vegetated, soft sediment habitats, found between mean high- water and mean low-water spring tide datums and generally located in estuaries and other low energy marine environments (Dineen, 2010).