Glossary definitions

A general term used to refer to pre-historical and historical periods describing the development of humanity. Different classifications of periods exist reflecting different interpretation of human history.

Rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religion or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or any other status. These rights are interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Instruments for the protection and promotion of human rights, including general instruments, instruments concerning specific issues, and instruments relating to the protection of particular groups.

The inalienable fundamental rights of each and every human being as acknowledged in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations, 1948). Arguments of intragenerational justice basically refer to human rights.

See Values.

A state of existence that fulfils various human needs, including material living conditions and quality of life, as well as the ability to pursue one's goals, to thrive, and feel satisfied with one's life (IPCC, 2020). The IPBES definition is consistent with this definition but notes that well-being also includes non-material living conditions and cultural identity. The phrase ‘Good quality of Life' as used in this report (see glossary entry) is intended to be inclusive of both the human well-being definitions given above.

See Good Quality of Life.

see well-being.

The ways in which people relate to and engage with the natural environment, which are diverse and linked to worldviews, values and attitudes embedded in daily life.

Humanistic economics intend to show that humankind is perfectly capable of living without the profit motive, and has done so for most of its history. It goes again the tendency to consider the profit motive as self-evident, an idea that underlies many political decisions. See also Behavioural economics.

Decomposition of organic material followed by a synthesis of humic substances.

The capture by humans of wild mammals, birds, and reptiles, whether dead or alive, irrespective of the techniques used to capture them or the reasons to do so.

See models.

Models that combine correlative and process-based modelling approaches.

An oil and gas well development process that typically involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via the well. This process is intended to create new fractures in the rock as well as increase the size, extent, and connectivity of existing fractures. Hydraulic fracturing is a well-stimulation technique used commonly in low-permeability rocks like tight sandstone, shale, and some coal beds to increase oil and/or gas flow to a well from petroleum-bearing rock formations.

A fissure on the floor of a sea out of which flows water that has been heated by underlying magma. The water can be as hot as 400°C (752°F) and usually contains dissolved minerals that precipitate out of it upon contact with the colder seawater, building a stack of minerals, or chimney. Hydrothermal vents form an ecosystem for microbes and animals, such as tube worms, giant clams, and blind shrimp, that can with stand the hostile environment. The hottest hydrothermal vents are called black smokers because they spew iron and sulfide which combine to form iron mono sulfide, a black compound.

Low dissolved oxygen levels in coastal and oceanic waters (<2mL per liter of water), either naturally occurring or as a result of a degradation (e.g. eutrophication).

A particular type of sacred natural sites represented by patches of forest revered as sacred (Bhagwat & Rutte, 2006). Sacred groves may be revered e.g. as burial grounds (Mgumia & Oba, 2003) or sites of ancestral or deity worship (Ramakrishnan et al., 1998). There are locally-established rules that regulate how sacred groves can be used (Hughes & Chandran, 1998). Observation of those rules often contributes to the biodiversity conservation on those sites (Bhagwat & Rutte, 2006).

A particular type of sacred natural sites represented by patches of forest revered as sacred (Bhagwat & Rutte, 2006). Sacred groves may be revered as burial grounds (Mgumia & Oba, 2003) or sites of ancestral or deity worship (Ramakrishnan et al., 1998). There are locally-established rules that regulate how sacred groves can be used (Hughes & Chandran, 1998). Observation of those rules often contributes to the biodiversity conservation on those sites.

Areas of land or water that have special spiritual significance to peoples and communities. They consist of natural features, ranging from entire ecosystems, such as mountains, forests or islands, to single natural features such as a tree, spring or boulder, and are very important for the conservation of nature and culture. Sacred natural sites have been managed based on indigenous and local knowledge systems, developed over long periods of time, and are source of cultural identity.

Areas of land or water that have special spiritual significance to peoples and communities (Verschuuren et al., 2010). They consist of natural features, ranging from entire ecosystems, such as mountains, forests or islands, to single natural features such as a tree, spring or boulder, and are very important for the conservation of nature and culture. Sacred natural sites have been managed based on indigenous and local knowledge systems, developed over long periods of time, and are source of cultural identity.

Involving or committing sacrilege.

export of products that are free from invasive alien species

The process of increasing the salt content in soil is known as salinization. Salination can be caused by natural processes such as mineral weathering or by the gradual withdrawal of an ocean. It can also come about through artificial processes such as irrigation.

The process of increasing the salt content in soil is known as salinization. Salinization can be caused by natural processes such as mineral weathering or by the gradual withdrawal of an ocean. It can also come about through artificial processes such as irrigation.

A global initiative with the purpose of realizing societies in harmony with nature through the conservation and advancement of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS)” around the world.

Satoyama is the Japanese term for a socio-ecological production landscape (SEPL) represented by a mosaic of different ecosystem types: secondary forests, timber plantations, farmlands, irrigation ponds, and grasslands—along with human settlements. Satoyama is managed through the interaction between ecosystems and humans to create ecosystem services for human well-being. Satoumi refers to Japan's coastal areas where human interaction over time has resulted in a higher degree of productivity and biodiversity. Foundational to both concepts is the positing of a relationship of interaction between humans and their environment, coupled with the notion that properly maintained the relationship is mutually beneficial.

Ecosystem characterised by a continuous layer of herbaceous plants, mostly grasses, and a discontinuous upper layer of trees that may vary in density.

Ecosystem characterized by a continuous layer of herbaceous plants, mostly grasses, and a discontinuous upper layer of trees that may vary in density.

Sawnwood is defined as planks, sleepers (cross-ties), beams, joists, boards, rafters, 1679 scantlings, laths, boxboards and lumber that exceed 5 mm in thickness.

Process in which land use outcomes vary (often counterintuitively) according to the geographic location and spatial scale under consideration.

The spatial, temporal, quantitative and analytical dimensions used to measure and study any phenomenon. The temporal scale is comprised of two properties: (i) temporal extent - the total length of the time period of interest for a particular study (e.g. 10 years, 50 years, or 100 years); and 2) temporal grain (or resolution) - the temporal frequency with which data are observed or projected within this total period (e.g. at 1-year, 5-year or 10- year intervals). The spatial scale is comprised of two properties: 1) spatial extent - the size of the total area of interest for a particular study (e.g. a watershed, a country, the entire planet); and (ii) spatial grain (or resolution) - the size of the spatial units within this total area for which data are observed or predicted (e.g. fine-grained or coarse-grained grid cells).

The spatial, temporal, quantitative and analytical dimensions used to measure and study any phenomenon.The temporal scale is comprised of two properties:temporal extent - the total length of the time period of interest for a particular study (e.g. 10 years, 50 years, or 100 years);temporal grain (or resolution) - the temporal frequency with which data are observed or projected within this total period (e.g. at 1-year, 5-year or 10-year intervals).The spatial scale is comprised of two properties:spatial extent - the size of the total area of interest for a particular study (e.g. a watershed, a country, the entire planet);spatial grain (or resolution) - the size of the spatial units within this total area for which data are observed or predicted (e.g. fine-grained or coarse-grained grid cells).

see spatial scale and temporal scale.

The spatial, temporal, quantitative and analytical dimensions used to measure and study any phenomenon. The temporal scale is comprised of two properties: 1) temporal extent - the total length of the time period of interest for a particular study (e.g. 10 years, 50 years, or 100 years); and 2) temporal grain (or resolution) - the temporal frequency with which data are observed or projected within this total period (e.g. at 1-year, 5-year or 10-year intervals). The spatial scale is comprised of two properties: 1) spatial extent - the size of the total area of interest for a particular study (e.g. a watershed, a country, the entire planet); and 2) spatial grain (or resolution) - the size of the spatial units within this total area for which data are observed or predicted (e.g. fine-grained or coarse-grained grid cells).

Bringing model outputs to the appropriate scale, which can be done in two different directions: upscaling information from local, fine-grained resolution to global, coarse-grained resolution; or vice versa downscaling coarse-grained information to a finer resolution.

Representations of possible futures for one or more components of a system, particularly for drivers of change in nature and nature's benefits, including alternative policy or management options. Exploratory scenarios (also known as explorative scenarios or descriptive scenarios) are scenarios that examine a range of plausible futures, based on potential trajectories of drivers - either indirect (e.g. socio-political, economic and technological factors) or direct (e.g. habitat conversion, climate change). Target-seeking scenarios (also known as goal-seeking scenarios or normative scenarios): scenarios that start with the definition of a clear objective, or a set of objectives, specified either in terms of achievable targets, or as an objective function to be optimized, and then identify different pathways to achieving this outcome (e.g. through backcasting). Intervention scenarios are scenarios that evaluate alternative policy or management options - either through target seeking (also known as goal seeking or normative scenario analysis) or through policy screening (also known as ex-ante assessment). Policy-evaluation scenarios are scenarios, including counterfactual scenarios, used in ex-post assessments of the gap between policy objectives and actual policy results, as part of the policy-review phase of the policy cycle. Policy-screening scenarios are scenarios used in ex-ante assessments, to forecast the effects of alternative policy or management options (interventions) on environmental outcomes.|scale|.

Quantitative or qualitative exploration of future pathways through use of scenarios.

Representations of possible futures for one or more components of a system, particularly, in this assessment, for drivers of change in nature and nature’s benefits, including alternative policy or management options. Exploratory scenarios (also known as “explorative scenarios” or “descriptive scenarios”) are scenarios that examine a range of plausible futures, based on potential trajectories of drivers - either indirect (socio-political, economic and technological factors) or direct (e.g. habitat conversion, climate change). Target-seeking scenarios (also known as “goal-seeking scenarios” or “normative scenarios”) are scenarios that start with the definition of a clear objective, or a set of objectives, specified either in terms of achievable targets, or as an objective function to be optimized, and then identify different pathways to achieving this outcome (e.g. through backcasting). Intervention scenarios are scenarios that evaluate alternative policy or management options - either through target seeking (also known as “goal seeking” or “normative scenario analysis”) or through policy screening (also known as “ex-ante assessment”). Policy-evaluation scenarios are scenarios, including counterfactual scenarios, used in ex-post assessments of the gap between policy objectives and actual policy results, as part of the policy-review phase of the policy cycle. Policy-screening scenarios are scenarios used in ex-ante assessments, to forecast the effects of alternative policy or management options (interventions) on environmental outcomes.

Representations of possible futures for one or more components of a system, particularly for drivers of change in nature and nature's contributions, including alternative policy or management options.

Representations of possible futures for one or more components of a system, particularly, in this assessment, for drivers of change in nature and nature's benefits, including alternative policy or management options.

Scenarios are representations of different possible futures from a defined starting point. They are focused on highlighting or exploring drivers of change and the impacts of changes in these over a specified time frame. In doing so they enable decision-makers to anticipate potential changes and develop timely responses to these.

Environment-related SPIs are organizations, initiatives or projects that work at the boundary of science, policy and society to enrich decision making, shape their participants’ and audiences’ understandings of problems, and so produce outcomes regarding decisions and behaviours.

Imperfect knowledge or data on the system being described.

Any form of ice found at sea which has originated from the freezing of sea water (sea ice does not include superstructure icing). Ice formed from the freezing of the waters of the Great Lakes will be considered the same as sea ice.

A seamount is a mountain rising from the ocean seafloor that does not reach to the water’s surface (sea level), and thus is not an island. Seamounts are typically formed from extinct volcanoes that rise abruptly and are usually found rising from the seafloor to 1,000-4,000 m (3,300- 13,100 ft) in height.

Sea surface temperature (SST) is the water temperature close to the ocean’s surface. The exact meaning of surface varies between 1mm and 20 metres below the sea surface.

The average height of the ocean’s surface is higher than the daily changes of the tides.

Seascape can be defined as a spatially heterogeneous area of coastal environment (i.e. intertidal, brackish) that can be perceived as a mosaic of patches, a spatial gradient, or some other geometric patterning. The tropical coastal “seascape” often includes a patchwork of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs that produces a variety of natural resources and ecosystem services.

Seascape can be defined as a spatially hetero - geneous area of coastal environment (ie intertidal, brackish) that can be perceived as a mosaic of patches, a spatial gradient, or some other geometric patterning. The tropical coastal seascape often includes a patchwork of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs that produces a variety of natural resources and ecosystem services.