IPBES core glossary

A large group of social bees (about 500 species), comprising the tribe Meliponini, characterized by a highly reduced stinger that cannot be used for defense. Stingless belong in the family Apidae, and are related to common honey bees, carpenter bees, orchid bees, and bumble bees.

Random behaviour or unpredictability of complex natural, social and economic systems, particularly in relation to future states.

Qualitative narratives which provide the descriptive framework from which quantitative exploratory scenarios can be formulated.

A mechanism that attempts to assess systematically the environmental impacts of decisions made at, what is conventionally called, levels of strategic decisions.

The formation of layers of water masses with different properties - salinity, oxygenation, density, temperature - that act as barriers to water mixing. These layers are normally arranged according to density, with the least dense water masses sitting above the more dense layers.

see direct drivers.

See Asia-Pacific region.

Subsistence is defined as the livelihood uses in which a species is used or consumed directly by the individual who obtained it from the wild and his/her/their direct social network.

Farming system emphasizing production for use rather than for sale (FAO, 1998).

The process whereby communities of plants, animals and microorganisms are replaced by others, usually more complex, over time as an area is colonized. Primary succession occurs on bare ground (e.g. after a volcanic eruption); secondary succession follows the interruption of a primary succession, e.g. after disturbances such as logging, ploughing or burning.

The process whereby communities of plants, animals and microorganisms are replaced by others, usually more complex, over time as an area is colonized. Primary succession occurs on bare ground (after a volcanic eruption); secondary succession follows the interruption of a primary succession, e.g. after disturbances such as logging, ploughing or burning.

A component of any report, providing a policy-relevant but not policy prescriptive summary of that report.

Is a component of any report, providing a policy-relevant but not policy prescriptive summary of that report.

Consists of four categories: Intercultural and inter-scientific dialogue reports that are based on the material generated at the eco-regional level by discussions between members of academic, indigenous and social organizations and that take into account the different approaches, visions and knowledge systems that exist as well as the various views and approaches to sustainable development; Workshop proceedings and materials that are either commissioned or supported by the Platform; Software or databases that facilitate the use of the Platform's reports; Guidance materials (guidance notes and guidance documents) that assist in the preparation of comprehensive and scientifically sound Platform reports and technical papers.

Consists of four categories:(a) Intercultural and interscientific dialogue reports that are based on the material generated at the ecoregional level by discussions between members of academic, indigenous and social organizations and that take into account the diff erent approaches, visions and knowledge systems that exist as well as the various views and approaches to sustainable development;(b) Workshop proceedings and materials that are either commissioned or supported by the Platform;(c) Software or databases that facilitate the use of the Platform's reports;(d) Guidance materials (guidance notes and guidance documents) that assist in the preparation of comprehensive and scientifically sound Platform reports and technical papers.

Includes strip mining, open-pit mining and mountaintop removal mining, is a broad category of mining in which soil and rock overlying the mineral deposit (the overburden) are removed.

actions, including extended programme of surveys and general surveillance (capturing unstructured and untargeted surveillance data and information from a wide range of sources), undertaken in order to directly or indirectly detect the presence of one or many invasive alien species over time

A transformation process that is multidimensional, multistakeholder, and often operates in the long-term, by which conventional systems shift to more sustainable modes of production and consumption.

The endurance of systems and processes. The organizing principle for sustainability in ecology and sociology includes the co-functioning and evolution of four interconnected domains: ecology, economics, politics and culture.

A characteristic or state whereby the needs of the present and local population can be met without compromising the ability of future generations or populations in other locations to meet their needs.

Forestry management strategies and practices designed to meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.

Development that meets the needs and aspirations of the current generation without compromising the ability to meet those of future generations (Hesselink et al., 2007).

A set of goals adopted by the United Nations on September 25, 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.

Also, the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals, while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. The goals are interconnected; often the key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly associated with another.

A set of goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Development that meets the needs and aspirations of the current generation without compromising the ability to meet those of future generations.

Can mean many things to many people - yet a common thread is the production of forest goods and services for the present and future generations. The concept provides guidance on how to manage forests to provide for today’s needs (as best as possible) and not compromise (i.e. reduce) the options of future generations.

A process or system where agricultural yields are increased without adverse environmental impact and without the conversion of additional non- agricultural land.

The goal of sustainable intensification is to increase food production from existing farmland while minimizing pressure on the environment. It is a response to the challenges of increasing demand for food from a growing global population, in a world where land, water, energy and other inputs are in short supply, overexploited and used unsustainably.

Process or system where agricultural yields are increased without adverse environmental impact and without the conversion of additional non-agricultural land.

The use of land resources, including soils, water, animals and plants for the production of goods to meet changing human needs while ensuring the long- term productive potential of these resources and the maintenance of their environmental functions.

The land use that serves the needs (for food, energy, housing, recreation etc.) of all human beings living on Earth today and in the future, respecting the boundaries and the resilience of ecological systems.

Sustainable livelihoods is defined as the ability of the users to cope with and respond to the stresses and shocks related to fluctuations in the Nature’s contribution to people that adversely impact their material, relational and subjective dimensions of life and create vulnerabilities, develop their capabilities to strengthen access and entitlements to the variety of livelihood resources, without unnecessarily undermining the natural resource base (the wild species and its natural environment), so as to achieve a desirable standard of living that befits them as humans and also approved by the measures of wellbeing and human development.

Sets of activities that maintain or enhance the supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural services provided by soils without significantly impairing either the soil functions that enable those services or biodiversity.

The use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations (CBD, 1992).

The use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.