Glossary definitions

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.

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

See values.

Relational values refer to the importance of desirable, meaningful, and often reciprocal relationships - beyond means to an end - between humans and nature, and among humans (including across generations) through nature (e.g. sense of place, spirituality, responsibility, care, reciprocity, stewardship) (section 2.2.4.3).

Any action taken to rehabilitate ecosystems.

Methods for gathering data on a large or landscape scale which do not involve on-the ground measurement, especially satellite photographs and aerial photographs; often used in conjunction with Geographic Information Systems.

Methods for gathering data on a large or landscape scale which do not involve on-the ground measurement, especially satellite photographs and aerial photographs; often used in conjunction with Geographic Information Systems (IUCN, 2012a).

Remote sensing is the process of detecting and monitoring the physical characteristics of an area by measuring its reflected and emitted radiation at a distance from the targeted area. Special cameras collect remotely sensed imagesof the Earth, which help researchers sense things about the Earth.

Energy derived from natural processes (e.g. sunlight and wind) that are replenished at a faster rate than they are consumed. Solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and some forms of biomass are common sources of renewable energy.

Rapid and complex change.

Reports shall mean the main deliverables of the Platform, including assessment reports and synthesis reports, their summaries for policymakers and technical summaries, technical papers and technical guidelines.

Scenarios that include time series of emissions and concentrations of the full suite of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and aerosols and chemically active gases, as well as land use/land cover. (IPCC, 2014).