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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. 

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Concept Definition Deliverable(s)
ritual uses (of wild species)

See “Ceremonial uses”.

Sustainable use assessment
rotational grazing

A grazing scheme where animals are moved from one grazing unit (paddock) in the same group of grazing units to another without regard to specific graze: rest periods or levels of plant defoliation. cf. grazing system.

Land degradation and restoration assessment
roundwood (industrial)

Industrial round wood is defined as all roundwood used for any purpose other than energy. It comprises pulpwood, sawlogs and veneer logs.

Sustainable use assessment
route of invasion

The geographic path over which a species is transported from the donor area (origin; may be defined as Last Port of Call) to the recipient area (destination or target), which may include one or more corridors.

Americas assessment
rubin causal model

Also known as the Neyman-Rubin causal model, is an approach to the statistical analysis of cause and effect based on the framework of potential outcomes, named after Donald Rubin.

Land degradation and restoration assessment
rules and regulations

Set of rules to govern the work and decision making of its formal settings.

Sustainable use assessment
rural development

Rural development is the process of improving the opportunities and well-being of rural people. It is a process of change in the characteristics of rural societies. In addition to agricultural development, it involves human development and social and environment objectives, as opposed to just economic ones. Therefore, rural development encompasses health, education, and other social services. It also uses a multisector approach for promoting agriculture, extracting minerals, tourism, recreation, and niche manufacturing.

Sustainable use assessment