Glossary definitions

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.

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.

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).

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).

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

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.

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

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

Regions that have not been significantly altered by humankind.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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

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).

In the context of IPBES, nature 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).

In the context of the Platform, refers to the natural world with an emphasis on biodiversity. 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.

In the context of the Platform, 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).

The natural world, with particular emphasis on biodiversity.

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).

The living parts of the biosphere, including their diversity and abundance and functional interactions with one another and with the abiotic parts of the earth system. Increasingly, nature is modified by human influences. Many features of nature have been co-produced by humans.This is a definition specifically made for the IPBES-IPCC workshop report, since neither IPBES nor IPCC has an existing definition. The closest is the IPBES Global Assessment Chapter 1 box 1.2 definition of Nature: Nature: the nonhuman world, including co- produced features, with particular emphasis on living organisms, their diversity, their interactions among themselves and with their abiotic environment.”

Nature-based recreation may be defined as all forms of leisure that rely on the natural environment (Jacobs & Cottrell, 2015). In the context of this assessment, it may involve extractive practices (i.e. fishing, gathering, terrestrial animal harvesting) or non-extractive practices (i.e. observing).

Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.

Actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits (Cohen-Shacham et al., 2016).

Nature-based tourism is the activities of persons traveling to natural areas outside their usual environment for leisure and other purposes (based on UNWTO, glossary). In the context of this assessment, it may involve extractive practices (i.e. fishing, gathering, terrestrial animal harvesting) or non-extractive practices (i.e. observing.

All the contributions, both positive and negative, of living nature (i.e. all organisms, ecosystems, and their associated ecological and evolutionary processes) to people’s quality of life. Beneficial contributions include e.g. food provision, water purification, flood control, and artistic inspiration, whereas detrimental contributions include e.g. disease transmission and predation that damages people or their assets. NCP may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on the cultural, temporal or spatial context (Díaz et al., 2018). IPBES considers a gradient of approaches to NCP, ranging from a purely generalizing approach to a purely context-specific one. Within the generalizing approach, IPBES identifies 18 categories of NCP, organized in three partially overlapping groups: Material contributions are substances, objects or other material elements from nature that directly sustain people’s physical existence and material assets. They are typically physically consumed in the process of being experienced, for example when organisms are transformed into food, energy, or materials for clothing, shelter or ornamental purposes. Non-material contributions are nature’s effects on subjective or psychological aspects underpinning people’s quality of life, both individually and collectively. Examples include forests and coral reefs providing opportunities for recreation and inspiration, or particular organism (animals, plants, fungi) or habitat (mountains, lakes) being the basis of spiritual or social-cohesion experiences. Regulating contributions are functional and structural aspects of organisms and ecosystems that modify environmental conditions experienced by people, and/or regulate the generation of material and non- material contributions. Regulating contributions frequently affect quality of life in indirect ways. For example, people directly enjoy useful or beautiful plants, but only indirectly the soil organisms that are essential for the supply of nutrients to such plants.

All the contributions, both positive and negative, of nature (i.e. biodiversity, ecosystems, and their associated ecological and evolutionary processes) to good quality of life for humanity. The positive contributions from nature (benefits) include such things as food provision, water purification, and artistic inspiration, whereas negative contributions (detriments), include e.g. pathogens, disease vectors, or predation that damage people, their built infrastructure, or their domesticated animals and plants. While some NCP are considered exclusively positive or negative, many NCP may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on the cultural context.

All the contributions, both positive and negative, of living nature (i.e. diversity of organisms, ecosystems, and their associated ecological and evolutionary processes) to the quality of life of people. This is the core IPBES definition (which is used by IPCC in AR6 Special Reports). The IPBES definition goes on to elaborate as follows: “Beneficial contributions from nature include such things asfood provision, water purification, flood control, and artistic inspiration, whereas detrimental contributions include disease transmission and predation that damages people or their assets. Many NCP may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on the cultural, temporal or spatial context.” The creation of a new term to supersede ecosystem services had several justifications. First, the original ecosystem services definition went on to define four subtypes (provisioning, cultural, regulatory and supporting), but practitioners recognized that many services fit into more than one of the four categories. Secondly, IPBES wished to make explicit that positive and negative effects were included. Thirdly, the term ‘services’ had its origin in economics, which was perceived in some worldviews to be too narrow a formulation of the relationships between nature and people. The new language is considered more inclusive.

all the contributions, both positive and negative, of living nature (i.e., diversity of organisms, ecosystems, and their associated ecological and evolutionary processes) to the quality of life for people. Beneficial contributions from nature include such things as food provision, water purification, flood control, and artistic inspiration, whereas detrimental contributions include disease transmission and predation that damages people or their assets. Many nature’s contributions to people may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on the cultural, temporal or spatial context.

Within the context of the IPBES Conceptual Framework - all the benefits (and occasionally disbenefits or losses) that humanity obtains from nature.

All the contributions, both positive and negative, of nature (i.e. biodiversity, ecosystems, and their associated ecological and evolutionary processes) to good quality of life of people. Beneficial contributions from nature include such things as food provision, water purification, flood control, and artistic inspiration, whereas detrimental contributions include disease transmission and predation that damages people or their assets. Many NCP may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on the cultural, temporal or spatial context.

all the contributions, both positive and negative, of living nature (i.e. all organisms, ecosystems, and their associated ecological and evolutionary processes) to people’s quality of life. Beneficial contributions include food provision, water purification, flood control, and artistic inspiration, whereas detrimental contributions include e.g. disease transmission and predation that damages people or their assets. NCP may be perceived as benefits or detriments depending on the cultural, temporal or spatial context (Díaz et al., 2018). IPBES considers a gradient of approaches to NCP, ranging from a purely generalizing approach to a purely context-specific one. Within the generalizing approach, IPBES identifies 18 categories of NCP, organized in three partially overlapping groups: Material contributions are substances, objects or other material elements from nature that directly sustain people’s physical existence and material assets. They are typically physically consumed in the process of being experienced, for example when organisms are transformed into food, energy, or materials for clothing, shelter or ornamental purposes. Non-material contributions are nature’s effects on subjective or psychological aspects underpinning people’s quality of life, both individually and collectively. Examples include forests and coral reefs providing opportunities for recreation and inspiration, or particular organism (animals, plants, fungi) or habitat (mountains, lakes) being the basis of spiritual or social- cohesion experiences. Regulating contributions are functional and structural aspects of organisms and ecosystems that modify environmental conditions experienced by people, and/or regulate the generation of material and non-material contributions. Regulating contributions frequently affect quality of life in indirect ways. For example, people directly enjoy useful or beautiful plants, but only indirectly the soil organisms that are essential for the supply of nutrients to such plants.

Benefits from nature that do not take a physical form such as spiritual enrichment, intellectual development, recreation and aesthetic values.

The capacity of an ecosystem to provide NCP (see Chapter 2.3).

The actual flow of NCP that humanity receives. Realized NCP typically depends not only on potential NCP but also anthropogenic assets (e.g. boats and fishing gear, or farm equipment), human labor, and institutions. Institutions can facilitate or prevent.

Ozone near the earth surface formed photochemically during the oxidation of hydrocarbons in the presence of nitrogen oxides.

Recently diverged taxa that are endemic because of lack of dispersal/migration out of their ancestral area, as opposed to paleo-endemic taxa that were perhaps more widespread in the past and are now restricted to a local region (Mishler et al., 2014).

The degree to which species (plants or pollinators) with few interaction links share a sub-set of the links of other species, rather than having a different set of links. In highly nested networks, groups of species that share more or less similar activities contain both generalist species (q.v.) (i. e., with many links) and specialist species (q.v.) (i. e., with few links, but shared with the generalists). In mutualistic networks, such as pollination, nestedness is often asymmetrical (q.v.), with specialists of one group (plants or pollinators) linked to the generalists of the partner group (pollinators or plants).

The amount of carbon accumulating or lost in ecosystems at the regional scale is the Net Biome Production (NBP), defined as the NEP corrected for lateral transfers of carbon to adjacent biomes, due to process such as trade in agricultural products, export of organic matter in rivers and losses due to disturbances, including land clearing and wildfire.

The amount of NPP left in the ecosystem after the additional respiration by microbes and animals is the Net Ecosystem Production (NEP).

A net gain to biodiversity features measured in quality hectares (for habitats), number or percentage of individuals (for species), or other metrics appropriate to the feature.

The value in the present of a sum of money, in contrast to some future value it will have when it has been invested at compound interest.