Glossary definitions

The foregone benefits of carrying out one activity in favor of another, or giving up their initial preferred land-use plan.

The potential ability to use some of nature’s benefits in the future, although they are not currently used, or the likelihood for their future use is low. It represents the willingness to preserve an option for the future enjoyment of nature’s benefits.

Any system that emphasizes the use of techniques such as crop rotation, compost or manure application, and biological pest control in preference to synthetic inputs. Most certified organic farming schemes prohibit all genetically modified organisms and almost all synthetic inputs. Its origins are in a holistic management system that avoids off-farm inputs, but some organic agriculture now uses relatively high levels of off-farm inputs.

Any system that emphasises the use of techniques such as crop rotation, compost or manure application, and biological pest control in preference to synthetic inputs. Most certified organic farming schemes prohibit all genetically modified organisms and almost all synthetic inputs. Its origins are in a holistic management system that avoids off-farm inputs, but some organic agriculture now uses relatively high levels of off-farm inputs.

Crop and livestock production using natural sources of nutrients (such as compost, crop residues, and manure) and natural methods of crop and weed control, instead of using synthetic or inorganic agrochemicals. Genetically modified organisms are not usually part of organic agriculture. It is also sometimes called low- input farming, but may involve high inputs of labour and be intensive in its practice.

A geographically defined area other than a protected area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long- term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity (CBD, 2018a).

Overexploitation means harvesting species from the wild at rates faster than natural populations can recover. Includes overfishing, and overgrazing.

Harvesting species from the wild at rates faster than natural populations can recover. Includes overfishing, and overgrazing.

Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods. It can be caused by either livestock in poorly managed agricultural applications, game reserves, or nature reserves. It can also be caused by immobile, travel restricted populations of native or non-native wild animals.

An excess of herbivory that leads to degradation of plant and soil resources.

Placing a number of animals on a given area that will result in overuse if continued to the end of the planned grazing period.

The measurement of the capacity of a gas or other forcing agents to affect that energy balance, thereby contributing to climate change. Put more simply, RF expresses the change in energy in the atmosphere due to GHG emissions.

The Convention on Wetlands, called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

The Convention on Wetlands, called the Ramsar Convention, of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

A wetland site designated of international importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental environment treaty established in 1975 by UNESCO, coming into force in 1975. A wetland of international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. Such site meets at least one of the criteria of Identifying Wetlands of International Importance set by Ramsar Convention and is designated by appropriate national authority to be added to Ramsar list.

A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated of international importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental environment treaty established in 1975 by UNESCO, coming into force in 1975. Ramsar site refers to wetland of international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. Such a site meets at least one of the criteria of identifying Wetlands of International Importance set by Ramsar Convention and is designated by appropriate national authority to be added to Ramsar list.

A wetland site designated of international importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental environment treaty established in 1975 by UNESCO, coming into force in 1975. Ramsar site refers to wetland of international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. Such a site meets at least one of the criteria of identifying wetlands of international importance set by Ramsar Convention and is designated by appropriate national authority to be added to Ramsar list.

A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated of international importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat under the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental environment treaty established in 1975 by UNESCO, coming into force in 1975. Ramsar site refers to a wetland of international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. Such site meets at least one of the criteria of Identifying Wetlands of International Importance set by Ramsar Convention and is designated by appropriate national authority to be added to Ramsar list.

“the current limits of distribution of a species, accounting for all known, inferred or projected sites of occurrence”

A change in the distributional limits of the native geographical range of a species, most commonly driven human-related factors (e.g. climate change).

Natural grasslands used for livestock grazing.

The preservation of land with the goal of restoring natural ecosystem processes and reducing human control of landscapes (Gillson et al., 2011) to allow declining populations to rebound.

All biologically, photochemically, and/or radiatively active forms of nitrogen; a diverse pool of nitrogenous compounds that includes organic compounds (e.g. urea, amines, proteins, amides), mineral nitrogen forms, such as nitrates and ammonium, as well as gases that are chemically active in the troposphere (NOx, ammonia, nitrous oxide) and contribute to air pollution and the greenhouse effect.

Current state of biodiversity and ecosystem functions independent of human knowledge and perceptions and ecosystem services (Nature in IPBES conceptual framework). See also Perceptions; Concepts”; Worldviews”.

The pattern by which resource users tend to compensate for improved efficiency by shifting behaviour towards greater consumption, which undermines apparent gains. For example, an increased fuel saving of motor vehicle tends to be compensated by spending more money on other resources or by driving more.

The pattern by which resource users tend to compensate for improved efficiency by shifting behavior towards greater consumption, which undermines apparent gains. For example, an increased fuel saving of motor vehicle tends to be compensated by spending more money on other resources or by driving more.

The stabilization of the terrain, assurance of public safety, aesthetic improvement, and usually a return of the land to what, within the regional context, is considered to be a useful purpose.

In social-environmental justice, recognition is about the respect for (community) ways of life, local knowledge, and cultural difference.

Recreational uses are defined as uses of wild species in which enjoyment is considered a primary value.

Monetary or non-monetary worth given to the human recreational use of ecosystems, areas or other natural phenomena.

The influx of new members into a population by reproduction or immigration (IUCN, 2012a).

The influx of new members into a population by reproduction or immigration.

A global mechanism designed to offer positive incentives to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and to promote the conservation, management and enhancement of forest stocks in developing countries (http://theredddesk. org/encyclopaedia/reducing-emissions- deforestation-and-forest-degradation-redd- and-role-conservation). REDD-plus stands for countries’ efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Mechanism developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which creates a financial value for the carbon stored in forests by offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands.

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is a mechanism developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It creates a financial value for the carbon stored in forests by offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development. Developing countries would receive results-based payments for results- based actions. REDD+ goes beyond simply deforestation and forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

The intensively planned and carefully controlled implementation of timber harvesting operations to minimize the environmental impact on forest stands and soils (FAO, 2018a).

The intensively planned and carefully controlled implementation of timber harvesting operations to minimize the environmental impact on forest stands and soils.

Mechanism developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It creates a financial value for the carbon stored in forests by offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development. Developing countries would receive results-based payments for results-based actions. REDD+ goes beyond simply deforestation and forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.

Intentional replanting of trees and re- establishing a forest in areas that have been deforested.

A long-term qualitative behavior where the system’s dynamics tend to stabilize, at different spatial and temporal scales in marine, terrestrial and polar systems (Rocha et al., 2015).

Substantial reorganization in system structure, functions and feedbacks that often occurs abruptly and persists over time.

Persistent change in systems structure and function, which can be abrupt and difficult to reverse. Regime shifts in socio-ecological systems can have substantial impacts on ecosystem services.

adj. Pertaining to an area, especially part of a country or the world having definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries.

Initiatives or other efforts to provide means by which organizations or individuals with a global region (such as the Asia-Pacific) can work together towards a common or mutual aim, or for common or mutual benefit. Examples include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Rehabilitation refers to restoration activities that move a site towards a natural state baseline in a limited number of components (i.e. soil, water, and/or biodiversity), including natural regeneration, conservation agriculture, and emergent ecosystems.

Restoration activities that may fall short of fully restoring a biotic community to its pre-degradation state, including natural regeneration and emergent ecosystems.

Restoration activities that move a site towards a natural state baseline in a limited number of components (i.e. soil, water, and/or biodiversity), including natural regeneration, conservation agriculture, and emergent ecosystems.

See “Values”.

The values that contribute to desirable relationships, such as those among people and between people and nature, as in Living in harmony with nature.