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Glossary definitions

The IPBES glossary terms definitions page provides definitions of terms used in IPBES assessments. Some definitions in this online glossary have been edited for consistency. Please refer to the specific assessment glossary for citations/authorities of definitions. 

We invite you to report any errors or omissions to [email protected].

Concept Definition Deliverable(s)
intrinsic value

See values.

Americas assessment
intrinsic value

This concept refers to inherent value, that is the value something has independent of any human experience and evaluation. Such a value is viewed as an inherent property of the entity and not ascribed or generated by external valuing agents.

Africa assessment
intrinsic value

See values.

Europe and Central Asia assessment
introduced pollinator

A pollinator species living outside its native distributional range (see Exotic pollinator).

Pollination assessment
introduction pathway

a suite of processes that result in the introduction of a species from one geographical location to another. It means: 1) geographic routes by which a species is moved outside its natural range (past or present); 2) corridors of introduction (e.g., road, canal, tunnel); and/or 3) human activity that gives rise to an intentional or unintentional introduction. More than one vector (see definition of vector below) within a pathway may be involved in a transfer of species

Invasive alien species assessment
invasion cold spot

areas of low alien species richness relative to other regions with similar biogeographic characteristics (O’Donnell et al., 2012). Biodiversity hot spots of diversi?cation and species richness are defined as geographic regions with high diversi?cation rates or high species richness, respectively, while conversely cold spots are geographic regions with low diversi?cation rates or species richness

Invasive alien species assessment
invasion curve

depiction of the different stages of invasive alien species management from prevention to early detection and eradication, containment and adaptive management (Invasive Species Centre, 2021). The curve shows that eradication of an invasive alien species is less probable and more costly as it spreads over time. Choosing a management action relies on where a species is on the invasion curve.

Invasive alien species assessment
invasion debts

the potential increase in biological invasions at a site over a particular time frame in the absence of any interventions (Rouget et al., 2016). It is composed of the number of new species that will be introduced (introduction debt), the number of species that will become invasive (species-based invasion debt), the increase in area affected by invasions (area-based invasion debt), and the increase in the negative impacts caused by introduced species (impact-based invasion debt)

Invasive alien species assessment
invasion hotspot

areas of high alien species richness relative to other regions with similar biogeographic characteristics (O’Donnell et al., 2012). Biodiversity hot spots of diversi?cation and species richness are defined as geographic regions with high diversi?cation rates or high species richness, respectively, while conversely cold spots are geographic regions with low diversi?cation rates or species richness

Invasive alien species assessment
invasion stages

stages (transport, introduction, establishment, and spread) that a species must pass through on the invasion continuum from native to (invasive) alien species, recognising the need for a species to overcome the barriers (geography, captivity or cultivation, survival, reproduction, dispersal and environmental) that obstruct transition between each stage

Invasive alien species assessment
invasional meltdown

the amplification of impacts of invasive alien species through community-level processes in which there is a cascade of effects, positive feedback loops, arising from the interactions amongst species, in this case alien species, which ultimately affect ecosystem functions

Invasive alien species assessment
invasive alien species

A species introduced outside its natural past or present distribution whose introduction and/or spread threaten biological diversity.

Scenarios and models assessment
invasive alien species

Species whose introduction and/or spread by human action outside their natural distribution threatens biological diversity, food security, and human health and well-being. Alien refers to the species' having been introduced outside its natural distribution (exotic, non-native and non-indigenous are synonyms for alien). Invasive means tending to expand into and modify ecosystems to which it has been introduced. Thus, a species may be alien without being invasive, or, in the case of a species native to a region, it may increase and become invasive, without actually being an alien species.

Americas assessment, Africa assessment, Asia-Pacific assessment, Pollination assessment, Land degradation and restoration assessment, Europe and Central Asia assessment, Sustainable use assessment, Global assessment (1st work programme)
invasive alien species

animals, plants or other organisms introduced directly or indirectly by people into places out of their natural range of distribution, where they have become established and dispersed, and generating an impact on local ecosystems and species (IPBES, 2016); see Chapter 1 for further discussion). Invasive alien species are a subset of established alien species that have negative impacts.

Invasive alien species assessment
invasive pollinator

A pollinator species that, once it has been introduced outside its native distributional range, has a tendency to spread without direct human assistance.

Pollination assessment
invasive alien species

A species that, once it has been introduced outside its native distributional range, has a tendency to spread over space without direct human assistance.

invasive alien species

See Invasive alien species.

Europe and Central Asia assessment, Americas assessment, Asia-Pacific assessment, Global assessment (1st work programme)
ipbes conceptual framework

The Platform's conceptual framework has been designed to build shared understanding across disciplines, knowledge systems and stakeholders of the interplay between biodiversity and ecosystem drivers, and of the role they play in building a good quality of life through nature's contributions to people.

Africa assessment, Americas assessment, Sustainable use assessment
ipbes conceptual framework

A simplified representation of the complex interactions between the natural world and human societies. This framework emerged from an extensive process of consultation and negotiation, leading to formal adoption by the second IPBES Plenary (IPBES/2/4), and therefore represents a key foundation for all IPBES activities. The framework recognizes different knowledge systems, including indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) systems, which can be complementary to those based on science.

Scenarios and models assessment, Asia-Pacific assessment
ipbes conceptual framework

The IPBES conceptual framework has been designed to build shared understanding across disciplines, knowledge systems and stakeholders of the interplay between biodiversity and ecosystem drivers, and of the role they play in building a good quality of life.

Europe and Central Asia assessment, Land degradation and restoration assessment
ipbes conceptual framework

The Platform’s conceptual framework has been designed to build shared understanding across disciplines, knowledge systems and stakeholders of the interplay between biodiversity and ecosystem drivers, and of the role they play in building a good quality of life through nature’s contributions to people.

Global assessment (1st work programme)
integrated pest management

Is also known as Integrated Pest Control (IPC). It is a broadly-based approach that integrates various practices for economic control of pests (q.v.). IPM aims to suppress pest populations below the economic injury level (i.e. to below the level that the.

Pollination assessment
IUCN habitats classification scheme

Classification Schemes (formerly referred to as Authority Files) are a set of standard terms developed for documenting taxa on the IUCN Red List in order to ensure global uniformity when describing the habitat in which a taxon occurs, the threats to a taxon, what conservation actions are in place or are needed, and whether or not the taxon is utilized.

IUCN protected area category

IUCN protected area management categories classify protected areas according to their management objectives.

Asia-Pacific assessment, Global assessment (1st work programme), Europe and Central Asia assessment, Americas assessment
IUCN red list

The IUCN Red List is an indicator of the health of biodiversity. It provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants, fungi and animals that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This system is designed to determine the relative risk of extinction, and the main purpose of the IUCN Red List is to catalogue and highlight those plants and animals that are facing a higher risk of global extinction.

Global assessment (1st work programme), Sustainable use assessment
IUCN red list

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants, fungi and animals that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Asia-Pacific assessment
IUCN red list

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on taxa that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This system is designed to determine the relative risk of extinction, and the main purpose of the IUCN Red List is to catalogue and highlight those taxa that are facing a higher risk of global extinction (i.e. as Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable). The IUCN Red List also includes information on taxa that are categorized as Extinct or Extinct in the Wild; on taxa that cannot be evaluated because of insufficient information (i.e. are Data Deficient); and on taxa that are either close to meeting the threatened thresholds or that would be threatened were it not for an ongoing taxon- specific conservation programme (i.e. are Near Threatened).

Americas assessment
nagoya protocol

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) is a supplementary agreement to the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity. It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Nagoya Protocol aims to create greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources by establishing more predictable conditions for access to genetic resources and helping to ensure benefit-sharing when genetic resources leave the country providing the genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol on ABS was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and entered into force on 12 October 2014.

Global assessment (1st work programme), Sustainable use assessment
national

adj. Pertaining to a nation state or people who define themselves as a nation. A nation can be thought of as a large number of people associated with a particular territory and who are sufficiently conscious of their unity to seek or to possess a government peculiarly its own.

Pollination assessment
national biodiversity strategies and action plans

The Convention on Biological Diversity calls on each of its Parties to prepare a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (Article 6a) that establishes specific activities and targets for achieving the objectives of the Convention. These plans mostly are implemented by a partnership of conservation organizations. Species or habitats which are the subject of NBSAPs are the governments stated priorities for action and therefore raise greater concern where they are threatened. NBSAPs do not carry legal status and listed species and habitat types are not necessarily protected (although some are covered by other legislation) (Hesselink et al., 2007).

Global assessment (1st work programme)
national biodiversity strategies and action plans

The Convention on Biological Diversity calls on each of its Parties to prepare a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (Article 6a) that establishes specific activities and targets for achieving the objectives of the Convention. These plans mostly are implemented by a partnership of conservation organizations. Species or habitats which are the subject of NBSAPs are the governments stated priorities for action and therefore raise greater concern where they are threatened. NBSAPs do not carry legal status and listed species and habitat types are not necessarily protected (although some are covered by other legislation).

Sustainable use assessment
native forest

Forests that are made up of native tree species, and are either primary (have never been clear-cut) or secondary (regenerating naturally).

Land degradation and restoration assessment
native pollinator

A pollinator species living in an area where it evolved, or dispersed without human intervention. the study of first principles or the essence of things.

Pollination assessment
native species

Indigenous species of animals or plants that naturally occur in a given region or ecosystem.

Americas assessment, Global assessment (1st work programme), Europe and Central Asia assessment, Africa assessment, Asia-Pacific assessment, Land degradation and restoration assessment, Sustainable use assessment
native species

taxa that have originated in a given area (their natural range) without human involvement, or that have arrived there without intentional or unintentional intervention of humans, from an area in which they are native (IPBES glossary). This definition excludes products of hybridization involving alien taxa since “human involvement”, in this case, includes the introduction of an alien parent

Invasive alien species assessment
natural area

Regions that have not been significantly altered by humankind.

Sustainable use assessment
natural capital

A concept referring to the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources ( plants, animals, air, water, soils, minerals) that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people (UNDP, 2016b). Within the IPBES conceptual framework, it is part of the nature category, representing an economic-utilitarian perspective on nature, specifically those aspects of nature that people use (or anticipate to use) as source of Nature's contributions to people.

Sustainable use assessment
natural capital accounts

Sets of linked accounts that contain information about the type and quantities and, where possible, the value of the stocks of natural assets and the flows of services generated by them. The accounts contain two main components: physical accounts - types, quantities and condition of assets; and monetary accounts - application of monetary units of valuation to selected flows of services on an annual basis and associated values of stocks.

Land degradation and restoration assessment
natural capital

A concept referring to the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (e.g. plants, animals, air, water, soils, minerals) that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people (UNDP, 2016b). Within the IPBES conceptual framework, it is part of t.

natural capital

An economic metaphor for the limited stocks of physical and biological resources found on Earth.

Europe and Central Asia assessment
natural capital

The world's stocks of natural assets which include geology, soil, air, water and all living things.

Asia-Pacific assessment
natural capital

The world's stocks of natural assets which include geology, soil, air, water and all living things. It is from this natural capital that humans derive a wide range of services, often called ecosystem services, which make human life possible.

Land degradation and restoration assessment
natural direct drivers

Direct drivers that are not the result of human activities and are beyond human control.

Scenarios and models assessment
natural disaster

The effects of natural hazards, which are natural processes or phenomena occurring in the biosphere that may constitute a damaging event. Natural disasters can be for instance: earthquakes, floods, landslide, volcanic eruption, etc.

Sustainable use assessment
natural habitat

Areas composed of viable assemblages of plant and/or animal species of largely native origin and/or where human activity had not essentially modified an area's primary ecological functions and species composition (UNEP-WCMC, 2014).

Global assessment (1st work programme)
natural habitat

Areas composed of viable assemblages of plant and/or animal species of largely native origin and/or where human activity had not essentially modified an area's primary ecological functions and species composition.

Sustainable use assessment
natural heritage

Natural features, geological and physiographical formations and delineated areas that constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants and natural sites of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty (UNESCO, 1972).

Global assessment (1st work programme)
natural heritage

Natural features, geological and physiographical formations and delineated areas that constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants and natural sites of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty.

Sustainable use assessment
naturalized species

A species that, once it is introduced outside its native distributional range, establishes self-sustaining populations.

Land degradation and restoration assessment, Sustainable use assessment, Pollination assessment
nature

In the context of IPBES, refers to the natural world with an emphasis on its living components. Within the context of western science, it includes categories such as biodiversity, ecosystems (both structure and functioning), evolution, the biosphere, humankind’s shared evolutionary heritage, and biocultural diversity. Within the context of other knowledge systems, it includes categories such as Mother Earth and systems of life, and it is often viewed as inextricably linked to humans, not as a separate entity (see Mother Earth).

Sustainable use assessment, Invasive alien species assessment