BIODIVERSITY GLOSSARY
Abiotic
Non-living chemical and physical components of the environment.
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Biotic, Ecosystem, Environment
Book: 'Ecology: The Economy of Nature' by Robert E. Ricklefs, Research Paper: 'The role of abiotic factors in ecological studies' by Levin, 2009
Accounting Price
The true value of a good, service, or asset to society, often used in cost-benefit analyses.
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Economic Evaluation, Ecosystem Services
Book: 'Environmental Economics: An Introduction' by Barry C. Field, Research Paper: 'The Economics of Biodiversity' by Dasgupta, 2021
Agent
An individual or entity that influences the economy through activities like production or consumption.
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Market, Economic Model
Book: 'Economic Principles for Environmental Professionals' by James R. Evans, Research Paper: 'The Role of Agents in Economic Development'
Agroforestry
Growing trees and shrubs around crops or livestock to improve land productivity.
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Silvopasture, Permaculture
Book: 'Agroforestry for Sustainable Agriculture' by Dagar et al., Research Paper: 'Agroforestry Systems' by Nair, 2014
Aichi Targets
A set of 20 global biodiversity targets under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
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Biodiversity, Conservation
Book: 'Global Biodiversity Outlook 4' by CBD, Research Paper: 'The Aichi Targets' by CBD, 2010
Anthropocene
The current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.
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Climate Change, Biodiversity
Book: 'The Anthropocene' by Paul J. Crutzen, Research Paper: 'The Anthropocene: Are Humans Now Overwhelming the Great Forces of Nature?' by Steffen et al., 2007
Biodiversity
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
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Ecosystem, Species, Genetic Diversity
Book: 'Biodiversity' by E.O. Wilson, Research Paper: 'Global Biodiversity Outlook 4', CBD, 2014
Biodiversity Monitoring
Tracking the health and changes in biodiversity over time to inform conservation efforts.
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Monitoring, Conservation, Biodiversity
Book: 'Biodiversity Monitoring in Australia' by Lindenmayer, Research Paper: 'Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation' by Nichols and Williams, 2006
Biodiversity Offsetting
Compensating for biodiversity loss by protecting or restoring biodiversity elsewhere.
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Conservation Banking, Habitat Banking
Book: 'Biodiversity Offsets' by Tony Juniper, Research Paper: 'Biodiversity Offsets and Banking' by Carroll et al., 2008
Biological Control
The use of natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to manage agricultural pests.
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Integrated Pest Management, Biocontrol
Book: 'Biological Control' by Caltagirone et al., Research Paper: 'Biological Control in Plant Protection' by Eilenberg et al., 2001
Biomass
The total mass of living organisms in a given area or volume.
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Primary Productivity, Carbon Cycle
Book: 'Biomass and Bioenergy' by Demirbas, Research Paper: 'Biomass as a Renewable Energy Source' by McKendry, 2002
Biome
A large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region defined by its climate and dominant vegetation.
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Ecosystem, Habitat, Climate Zone
Book: 'Biome Ecology' by Darlene R. Stille, Research Paper: 'The World's Biomes' by Whittaker, 1975
Biosphere
The regions of the surface and atmosphere of the earth where living organisms exist.
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Ecosphere, Ecology, Earth System
Book: 'The Biosphere' by Vladimir Vernadsky, Research Paper: 'The Biosphere: Diversity of Life' by Levin, 2009
Biotic
Living components of the environment, such as plants and animals.
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Abiotic, Ecosystem, Biodiversity
Book: 'Biological Science' by Scott Freeman, Research Paper: 'Biotic Interactions and Global Change' by Vitousek, 1994
Carbon Sequestration
Capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to reduce global warming.
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Carbon Cycle, Climate Change, Forestry
Book: 'Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Ecosystems' by Kumar et al., Research Paper: 'Soil carbon sequestration impacts' by Lal, 2004
Climate Change
Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, mainly due to human activities.
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Global Warming, Greenhouse Gases
Book: 'This Changes Everything' by Naomi Klein, Research Paper: 'Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability', IPCC, 2014
Climate Mitigation
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.
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Carbon Sequestration, Renewable Energy
Book: 'Climate Mitigation Policy' by Michaelowa et al., Research Paper: 'Mitigation of Climate Change' by IPCC, 2014
Conservation
Efforts to protect and preserve natural environments and wildlife.
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Preservation, Restoration, Biodiversity
Book: 'Conservation Science: Balancing the Needs of People and Nature' by Kareiva et al., Research Paper: 'Conservation Biology' by Soulé, 1985
Ecosystem
A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.
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Biotic, Abiotic, Biodiversity
Book: 'Ecosystems of the World' by Goodall, Research Paper: 'The Ecosystem Approach' by Maltby, 2000
Ecosystem Management
An approach to natural resource management that aims to sustain ecosystems to meet both ecological and human needs in the future.
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Sustainable Management, Conservation
Book: 'Principles of Ecosystem Stewardship' by Chapin et al., Research Paper: 'Ecosystem Management for Sustainability' by Grumbine, 1994
Ecosystem Resilience
The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and maintain functionality.
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Resilience, Stability, Adaptation
Book: 'Resilience Thinking' by Brian Walker, Research Paper: 'Resilience and Sustainable Development' by Folke et al., 2002
Ecosystem Services
Benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to making human life both possible and worth living.
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Natural Capital, Provisioning Services
Book: 'Ecosystem Services: From Biodiversity to Society' by Potschin et al., Research Paper: 'The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment' by MA, 2005
Ecosystem Valuation
Assigning economic value to ecosystem services to aid in their protection and sustainable management.
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Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services
Book: 'Pricing the Priceless' by Goulder and Kennedy, Research Paper: 'Ecosystem Valuation' by Costanza et al., 1997
Genetic Diversity
The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.
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Biodiversity, Population Genetics
Book: 'Genetics and the Extinction of Species' by Lande, Research Paper: 'Genetic Diversity and Conservation Biology' by Avise, 1994
Greenhouse Gases
Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat.
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Climate Change, Carbon Emissions
Book: 'The Greenhouse Effect' by Parker, Research Paper: 'Greenhouse Gas Emissions' by IPCC, 2013
Habitat
The natural environment in which a particular species lives.
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Ecosystem, Biome
Book: 'Habitat Ecology' by Ian Newton, Research Paper: 'Habitat Fragmentation and Biodiversity' by Saunders et al., 1991
Habitat Restoration
Process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.
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Restoration Ecology, Conservation
Book: 'Restoration Ecology' by Jelte van Andel, Research Paper: 'The Science and Practice of Ecological Restoration' by Clewell and Aronson, 2007
Holistic Management
A systems-thinking approach to managing resources that considers economic, ecological, and social factors.
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Sustainable Management, Regenerative Agriculture
Book: 'Holistic Management' by Allan Savory, Research Paper: 'Holistic Management in Agriculture' by Savory, 1999
Impact Assessment
The process of identifying the future consequences of a current or proposed action.
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Environmental Assessment, Risk Analysis
Book: 'Environmental Impact Assessment' by Larry W. Canter, Research Paper: 'Impact Assessment in Environmental Management' by Glasson et al., 1994
Invasive Species
Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat.
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Biodiversity, Ecosystem Disruption
Book: 'Invasive Species in a Changing World' by Hobbs and Mooney, Research Paper: 'Invasive Species and Biodiversity Management' by McNeely, 2001
Keystone Species
A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its environment relative to its abundance.
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Biodiversity, Ecosystem Function
Book: 'The Keystone Advantage' by Iansiti and Levien, Research Paper: 'The Concept of Keystone Species' by Paine, 1969
Land Degradation
The decline in land quality caused by human activities.
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Soil Erosion, Desertification
Book: 'Land Degradation and Society' by Blaikie and Brookfield, Research Paper: 'Land Degradation: An Overview' by Johnson and Lewis, 1995
Land Use Change
The modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment.
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Urbanization, Deforestation
Book: 'Land Use and Society' by Rutherford H. Platt, Research Paper: 'Global Land Use Change' by Foley et al., 2005
Monitoring and Evaluation
Processes to assess the performance of projects and programs over time.
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Impact Assessment, Biodiversity Monitoring
Book: 'Evaluating Development Programs and Projects' by Gertler et al., Research Paper: 'Monitoring and Evaluation of Biodiversity' by Margoluis and Salafsky, 1998
Natural Capital
The world's stocks of natural assets which include geology, soil, air, water, and all living things.
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Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity
Book: 'Natural Capital' by Peter Kareiva, Research Paper: 'Natural Capital: Theory & Practice of Mapping Ecosystem Services' by Daily et al., 2011
Natural Resources
Materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain.
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Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services
Book: 'Natural Resource and Environmental Economics' by Perman et al., Research Paper: 'Valuing the Environment' by Pearce et al., 1993
Overexploitation
Harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns.
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Sustainability, Resource Management
Book: 'The End of Plenty' by Joel K. Bourne, Research Paper: 'Overexploitation and the Extinction of Species' by Rosser and Mainka, 2002
Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)
Incentives offered to farmers or landowners in exchange for managing their land to provide some sort of ecological service.
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Ecosystem Services, Natural Capital
Book: 'Paying for Biodiversity' by OECD, Research Paper: 'Payments for Ecosystem Services: A Framework' by Wunder, 2005
Pollination
The process by which pollen is transferred from the male part of a plant to the female part.
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Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity
Book: 'The Pollination of Flowers' by Proctor et al., Research Paper: 'Pollinators and Pollination: A Resource Book for Policy and Practice' by Eardley et al., 2006
Protected Area
A clearly defined geographical space, recognized and managed to achieve long-term conservation of nature.
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Conservation, Biodiversity
Book: 'Protected Area Governance and Management' by Worboys et al., Research Paper: 'Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation' by Chape et al., 2005
Reforestation
The process of replanting an area with trees.
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Afforestation, Forest Restoration
Book: 'Reforestation and Forest Management' by R. Sands, Research Paper: 'Reforestation: An Economic Perspective' by M. S. Ashton, 2013
Regenerative Agriculture
Farming practices that restore soil health and biodiversity.
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Sustainable Agriculture, Soil Health
Book: 'Dirt to Soil' by Gabe Brown, Research Paper: 'Regenerative Agriculture: Merging Farming and Natural Resource Conservation Profitably' by LaCanne and Lundgren, 2018
Resilience
The capacity of an ecosystem to respond to a disturbance by resisting damage and recovering quickly.
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Ecosystem Resilience, Adaptation
Book: 'Resilience Thinking' by Brian Walker and David Salt, Research Paper: 'Resilience and Sustainable Development' by Folke et al., 2002
Restoration Ecology
The scientific study of repairing disturbed ecosystems through human intervention.
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Habitat Restoration, Conservation
Book: 'Foundations of Restoration Ecology' by Falk et al., Research Paper: 'Restoration Ecology: The New Frontier' by Hobbs and Harris, 2001
Riparian Zone
The interface between land and a river or stream.
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Wetlands, Ecosystem Services
Book: 'Riparian Ecology and Management in Multi-Land Use Watersheds' by M. S. Ashton, Research Paper: 'The Importance of Riparian Zones' by Naiman et al., 1993
Soil Erosion
The displacement of the upper layer of soil, reducing soil quality and land productivity.
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Land Degradation, Sedimentation
Book: 'Soil Erosion and Conservation' by R. P. C. Morgan, Research Paper: 'Global Soil Erosion and Conservation' by Pimentel, 2006
Soil Health
The state of soil in sustaining plant and animal productivity, maintaining or enhancing water and air quality, and promoting plant and animal health.
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Soil Quality, Soil Fertility
Book: 'Soil Health and Sustainability' by Reicosky, Research Paper: 'Soil Health: The Foundation for Regenerative Agriculture' by Moebius-Clune, 2016
Species Richness
The number of different species represented in an ecological community, landscape, or region.
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Biodiversity, Ecosystem Diversity
Book: 'Species Diversity in Space and Time' by Rosenzweig, Research Paper: 'Species Richness and Ecosystem Services' by Hector et al., 1999
Sustainable Agriculture
Farming in sustainable ways based on an understanding of ecosystem services.
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Agroecology, Organic Farming
Book: 'Sustainable Agriculture' by Jules Pretty, Research Paper: 'Sustainable Agriculture: A Review' by Tilman et al., 2002
Sustainable Development
Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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Sustainability, Green Economy
Book: 'The Age of Sustainable Development' by Jeffrey Sachs, Research Paper: 'Our Common Future' by WCED, 1987
Sustainable Fisheries
Fishing practices that maintain fish populations at productive levels and minimize environmental impact.
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Overfishing, Marine Conservation
Book: 'Sustainable Fisheries Management' by E. A. Heizer, Research Paper: 'Principles of Sustainable Fisheries Management' by Hilborn and Walters, 1992
Sustainable Forestry
Managing forests to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
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Forest Management, Conservation
Book: 'Sustainable Forestry: From Monitoring and Modelling to Knowledge Management and Policy Science' by D. D. Reed, Research Paper: 'Sustainable Forest Management' by R. J. Keenan et al., 2008
Trophic Level
The position that an organism occupies in a food chain.
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Food Web, Ecological Pyramid
Book: 'Trophic Ecology' by Robert J. Olson, Research Paper: 'Trophic Levels and Energy Flow in Ecosystems' by Lindeman, 1942
Urban Ecology
The study of ecosystems in urban areas, including the interactions between organisms and their urban environment.
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Urbanization, Environmental Planning
Book: 'Urban Ecology: Science of Cities' by Richard T. T. Forman, Research Paper: 'Urban Ecology: Patterns, Processes, and Applications' by Niemelä et al., 2011
Water Quality
The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, usually in respect to its suitability for a particular purpose.
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Water Pollution, Aquatic Ecosystems
Book: 'Water Quality: An Introduction' by Claude E. Boyd, Research Paper: 'Water Quality and Ecosystem Health' by Smith et al., 1999
Wetland
An area of land that is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally.
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Riparian Zone, Ecosystem Services
Book: 'Wetland Ecology' by Paul A. Keddy, Research Paper: 'The Ecology of Wetlands' by Mitsch and Gosselink, 2007
Wildlife Corridor
A strip of natural habitat connecting populations of wildlife separated by human activities or structures.
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Conservation, Habitat Fragmentation
Book: 'Corridor Ecology' by Hilty et al., Research Paper: 'Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity' by Beier and Noss, 1998
Zoonotic Disease
A disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
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Epidemiology, Public Health
Book: 'Zoonoses: Biology, Clinical Practice, and Public Health Control' by Palmer et al., Research Paper: 'Emerging Zoonoses and Pathogens of Public Health Concern' by Karesh et al., 2012