IPBES core glossary

Terrestrial animal harvesting is defined as the removal from their habitat of animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) that spend some or all of their life cycle in terrestrial environments. As for fishing, terrestrial animal harvesting often results in the death of the animal, but it may not in some cases. To reflect both situations, terrestrial animal harvesting has been sub-divided into a lethal and a “non- lethal” category. Hunting is defined as the lethal category of terrestrial animal harvesting which leads to the killing of the animal, such as in trophy hunting. “Non-lethal” terrestrial animal harvesting is defined as the temporary or permanent capture of live animals from their habitat without intended mortality, such as pet trade, falconry or green hunting. Non-lethal harvest of animals also includes removal of parts or products of animals that do not lead to the mortality of the host, such as vicuña fiber or wild honey. Unintended mortality may however occur in this category and the term “non-lethal” is therefore put in quotes.

Net Primary Production (NPP) from the terrestrial environment.

Give a specific harvester exclusive access to ocean areas.

Give a specific harvester exclusive access to ocean areasJ. E. Wilen, Cancino, & Uchida, 2012.

The science of the relationship between heat, work, temperature, and energy. In broad terms, thermodynamics deals with the transfer of energy from one place to another and from one form to another. The key concept is that heat is a form of energy corresponding to a definite amount of mechanical work. The behaviour of a complex thermodynamic system, such as Earth's atmosphere, can be understood by first applying the principles of states and properties to its component parts—in this case, water, water vapour, and the various gases making up the atmosphere. By isolating samples of material whose states and properties can be controlled and manipulated, properties and their interrelations can be studied as the system changes from state to state.

In the IUCN Red List terminology, a threatened species is any species listed in the Red List categories: critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable.

Harmful or fatal effect of a small change in environmental conditions that exceeds the limit of tolerance of an organism or population of a species.

Magnitudes or intensities that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, result, or condition to occur or be manifested.

Intertidal, non-vegetated, soft sediment habitats, found between mean high- water and mean low-water spring tide datums and generally located in estuaries and other low energy marine environments (Dineen, 2010).

In agriculture, the preparation of soil for planting and the cultivation of soil after planting.

The altitude (in mountains) and latitude above which trees are unable to grow - also called tree line (Lawrence, 2005).

A set of conditions of an ecological or social system where further perturbation will cause rapid change and prevent the system from returning to its former state.

A level of change in system properties beyond which a system reorganizes, often abruptly, and does not return to the initial state even if the drivers of the change are abated.

Systems driven by top level or higher- order processes.

The upper part of a natural soil that is generally dark coloured and has a higher content of organic matter and nutrients when compared to the (mineral) horizons below. It excludes the litter layer.

The total catch allowed to be taken from a resource within a specified time period (usually a year) by all operators; designated by the regulatory authority. Usually allocated in the form of quotas (IUCN, 2012a).

The total catch allowed to be taken from a resource within a specified time period (usually a year) by all operators; designated by the regulatory authority. Usually allocated in the form of quotas.

A concept in cost-benefit analysis that refers to the value derived by people from a natural resource, a man-made heritage resource or an infrastructure system, compared to not having it.

A principle or an ontology found within societies that differentiate different sections of the society, according to the attachment of these sections to animal or plant tutelar spirits. In other words, totemism defines discontinuities in social order according to each group's attachment to a specific animal or plant spirit that is perceived as having similar features to this section (or clan) and an innerself that also ressembles people in this section (and reciprocally).

A principle or an ontology found within societies that differentiate different sections of the society, according to the attachment of these sections to animal or plant tutelar spirits. In other words, totemism defines discontinuities in social order according to each group's attachment to a specific animal or plant spirit that is perceived as having similar features to this section (or clan) and an inner-self that also resembles people in this section (and reciprocally).

Trade is defined in formal markets as the exchanges in which records are kept and statistics generated. It is expected that currency is the medium of exchange in formal markets. Trade in informal markets encompasses exchanges in which neither records nor statistics are generated; the medium of exchange may be currency or goods and/or services.

A trade-off is a situation where an improvement in the status of one aspect of the environment or of human well-being is necessarily associated with a decline in or loss of a different aspect. Trade-offs characterize most complex systems, and are important to consider when making decisions that aim to improve environmental and/or socio-economic outcomes. Trade-offs are distinct from synergies (the latter are also referred to as “win-win” scenarios): synergies arise when the enhancement of one desirable outcome leads to enhancement of another.

A trade-off is a situation where an improvement in the status of one aspect of the environment or of human well-being is necessarily associated with a decline in or loss of a different aspect. Trade-offs characterize most complex systems and are important to consider when making decisions that aim to improve environmental and/or socio-economic outcomes. Trade-offs are distinct from synergies (the latter are also referred to as “win-win” scenarios): synergies arise when the enhancement of one desirable outcome leads to enhancement of another.

A situation where an improvement in the status of one aspect of the environment or of human well-being is necessarily associated with a decline in or loss of a different aspect. Trade-offs characterize most complex systems, and are important to consider when making decisions that aim to improve environmental and/or socio-economic outcomes. Trade-offs are distinct from synergies (the latter are also referred to as win-win scenarios): synergies arise when the enhancement of one desirable outcome leads to enhancement of another.

A balance achieved between two desirable but incompatible features; a compromise.

Any type of farming that uses techniques developed over decades or centuries to ensure good, sustainable yields in a specific area or region. Traditional farms are based around mixed crops that complement one another.

Resource management strategies and practices based on accumulated indigenous and local knowledge acquired through community-based learning processes and transmitted between successive generations.

see indigenous and local knowledge.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is a cumulative body of knowledge and beliefs, handed down through generations by cultural transmission, about the relationship of living beings (including humans) with one another and with their environment. Further, TEK is an attribute of societies with historical continuity in resource use practices; by and large, there are non-industrial or less technologically advanced societies, many of them indigenous or tribal.

Restoration and ecosystem management activities based on indigenous and local knowledge and often executed by IPLC to restore and maintain the healthy functioning of ecosystems.

A term used to refer to complex, diverse and locally adapted agricultural systems, managed with time-tested through multi-generational experimentation, as well as diffusion of knowledge and practices. While the term ‘traditional’ is used to refer to a persisting long-term farming system, it does not intend to imply that such systems are static.

See Indigenous and local knowledge.

The concept of Traditional Knowledge (TK) in CBD has two characteristics. Firstly, CBD defines TK as one kind of knowledge, innovations and practices which is helpful to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Secondly, CBD limits the TK to link with Indigenous and Local Communities (ILCs) embodying traditional lifestyles, i.e. these TK were created and preserved by ILCs and they are accumulated, developed and inherited generation by generation.

The concept of Traditional Knowledge (TK) in the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) has two characteristics. Firstly, CBD defines TK as one kind of knowledge, innovations and practices which is helpful to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Secondly, CBD limits the TK to link with indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) embodying traditional lifestyles, i.e. these TK were created and preserved by IPLCs and they are accumulated, developed and inherited generation by generation.

Traditional medicine is the sum total of the knowledge, skill, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

Title of an influential 1968 essay by biologist Garrett Hardin, which argued that overuse of common resources is a leading cause of environmental degradation. This was interpreted by some, especially economists and free-market libertarians, to mean that private ownership is preferable to the commons for the stewardship of land, water, minerals, etc. Yet in recent years many have challenged this view on both empirical and philosophical grounds. Professor Elinor Ostrom of Indiana University has been a leading figure in demonstrating the practical utility and sustainability of commons governance regimes, particularly in developing countries. This suggests that the vision of human behaviour implicit in the tragedy of the commons metaphor is not as immutable as many economists assert, and that collective management is an eminently practical governance strategy in many circumstances. The tragedy of the anti-commons is now frequently invoked to describe the problems associated with excessive privatization and fragmentation of property rights, such that collective action for the common good is thwarted. See also Commons” and Common pool resources”.