Glossary definitions

The spatial, temporal, quantitative and analytical dimensions used to measure and study any phenomenon.The temporal scale is comprised of two properties:temporal extent - the total length of the time period of interest for a particular study (e.g. 10 years, 50 years, or 100 years);temporal grain (or resolution) - the temporal frequency with which data are observed or projected within this total period (e.g. at 1-year, 5-year or 10-year intervals).The spatial scale is comprised of two properties:spatial extent - the size of the total area of interest for a particular study (e.g. a watershed, a country, the entire planet);spatial grain (or resolution) - the size of the spatial units within this total area for which data are observed or predicted (e.g. fine-grained or coarse-grained grid cells).

see spatial scale and temporal scale.

The spatial, temporal, quantitative and analytical dimensions used to measure and study any phenomenon. The temporal scale is comprised of two properties: 1) temporal extent - the total length of the time period of interest for a particular study (e.g. 10 years, 50 years, or 100 years); and 2) temporal grain (or resolution) - the temporal frequency with which data are observed or projected within this total period (e.g. at 1-year, 5-year or 10-year intervals). The spatial scale is comprised of two properties: 1) spatial extent - the size of the total area of interest for a particular study (e.g. a watershed, a country, the entire planet); and 2) spatial grain (or resolution) - the size of the spatial units within this total area for which data are observed or predicted (e.g. fine-grained or coarse-grained grid cells).

Bringing model outputs to the appropriate scale, which can be done in two different directions: upscaling information from local, fine-grained resolution to global, coarse-grained resolution; or vice versa downscaling coarse-grained information to a finer resolution.

Representations of possible futures for one or more components of a system, particularly for drivers of change in nature and nature's benefits, including alternative policy or management options. Exploratory scenarios (also known as explorative scenarios or descriptive scenarios) are scenarios that examine a range of plausible futures, based on potential trajectories of drivers - either indirect (e.g. socio-political, economic and technological factors) or direct (e.g. habitat conversion, climate change). Target-seeking scenarios (also known as goal-seeking scenarios or normative scenarios): scenarios that start with the definition of a clear objective, or a set of objectives, specified either in terms of achievable targets, or as an objective function to be optimized, and then identify different pathways to achieving this outcome (e.g. through backcasting). Intervention scenarios are scenarios that evaluate alternative policy or management options - either through target seeking (also known as goal seeking or normative scenario analysis) or through policy screening (also known as ex-ante assessment). Policy-evaluation scenarios are scenarios, including counterfactual scenarios, used in ex-post assessments of the gap between policy objectives and actual policy results, as part of the policy-review phase of the policy cycle. Policy-screening scenarios are scenarios used in ex-ante assessments, to forecast the effects of alternative policy or management options (interventions) on environmental outcomes.|scale|.

Quantitative or qualitative exploration of future pathways through use of scenarios.

Representations of possible futures for one or more components of a system, particularly, in this assessment, for drivers of change in nature and nature’s benefits, including alternative policy or management options. Exploratory scenarios (also known as “explorative scenarios” or “descriptive scenarios”) are scenarios that examine a range of plausible futures, based on potential trajectories of drivers - either indirect (socio-political, economic and technological factors) or direct (e.g. habitat conversion, climate change). Target-seeking scenarios (also known as “goal-seeking scenarios” or “normative scenarios”) are scenarios that start with the definition of a clear objective, or a set of objectives, specified either in terms of achievable targets, or as an objective function to be optimized, and then identify different pathways to achieving this outcome (e.g. through backcasting). Intervention scenarios are scenarios that evaluate alternative policy or management options - either through target seeking (also known as “goal seeking” or “normative scenario analysis”) or through policy screening (also known as “ex-ante assessment”). Policy-evaluation scenarios are scenarios, including counterfactual scenarios, used in ex-post assessments of the gap between policy objectives and actual policy results, as part of the policy-review phase of the policy cycle. Policy-screening scenarios are scenarios used in ex-ante assessments, to forecast the effects of alternative policy or management options (interventions) on environmental outcomes.

Representations of possible futures for one or more components of a system, particularly for drivers of change in nature and nature's contributions, including alternative policy or management options.

Representations of possible futures for one or more components of a system, particularly, in this assessment, for drivers of change in nature and nature's benefits, including alternative policy or management options.

Scenarios are representations of different possible futures from a defined starting point. They are focused on highlighting or exploring drivers of change and the impacts of changes in these over a specified time frame. In doing so they enable decision-makers to anticipate potential changes and develop timely responses to these.

Environment-related SPIs are organizations, initiatives or projects that work at the boundary of science, policy and society to enrich decision making, shape their participants’ and audiences’ understandings of problems, and so produce outcomes regarding decisions and behaviours.

Imperfect knowledge or data on the system being described.

Any form of ice found at sea which has originated from the freezing of sea water (sea ice does not include superstructure icing). Ice formed from the freezing of the waters of the Great Lakes will be considered the same as sea ice.

A seamount is a mountain rising from the ocean seafloor that does not reach to the water’s surface (sea level), and thus is not an island. Seamounts are typically formed from extinct volcanoes that rise abruptly and are usually found rising from the seafloor to 1,000-4,000 m (3,300- 13,100 ft) in height.

Sea surface temperature (SST) is the water temperature close to the ocean’s surface. The exact meaning of surface varies between 1mm and 20 metres below the sea surface.

The average height of the ocean’s surface is higher than the daily changes of the tides.

Seascape can be defined as a spatially heterogeneous area of coastal environment (i.e. intertidal, brackish) that can be perceived as a mosaic of patches, a spatial gradient, or some other geometric patterning. The tropical coastal “seascape” often includes a patchwork of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs that produces a variety of natural resources and ecosystem services.

Seascape can be defined as a spatially hetero - geneous area of coastal environment (ie intertidal, brackish) that can be perceived as a mosaic of patches, a spatial gradient, or some other geometric patterning. The tropical coastal seascape often includes a patchwork of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs that produces a variety of natural resources and ecosystem services.

Seascape can be defined as a spatially heterogeneous area of coastal environment (i.e. intertidal, brackish) that can be perceived as a mosaic of patches, a spatial gradient, or some other geometric patterning. The tropical coastal seascape often includes a patchwork of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs that produces a variety of natural resources and ecosystem services.

livelihoods, survival and well-being in a sustainable manner.

adj. Pertaining to particular season (spring, summer, autumn, winter, rainy, dry etc.) or recurring in relation to particular seasons.

Regenerating forest after disturbance, such as fire or clear-cutting (IUCN, 2012a).

Regenerating forest after disturbance, such as fire or clear-cutting.

A distinct part of society, or of a nation's economy.

The process by which a nomadic group transitions to a lifestyle of living in one place.

Refers to the upper part of continental slopes. See 'Continental slope'.

The effect of any feature of the environment that results in natural selection, e.g. food shortage, predator activity, competition from members of the same or other species (Lawrence, 2005).

Selective hunting, in this assessment, refers to situations where hunters focus on particular species, or on individual animals within a population that have particular attributes, e.g. large size, large horns or antlers.

Extracting one or a few tree species instead of for example clearcutting of forests. Trees are only felled when they reach a particular height. This allows young trees a guaranteed life span and the forest will regain full maturity after around 30-50 years.

An ecosystem with most of its processes and biodiversity intact, though altered by human activity in strength or abundance relative to the natural state.

Characteristics that make a place special or unique, as well as to those that foster a sense of authentic human attachment and belonging (Casey, 2001).

Characteristics that make a place special or unique, as well as to those that foster a sense of authentic human attachment and belonging.

selected locations with heightened levels of detection and effective reporting through concentration of activities on subpopulations to enhance detection and improve cost-effectiveness of invasive alien species surveillance efforts

Attached or stationary, as opposed to free-living or motile (Lawrence, 2005).

Fields removed from agricultural production for various durations. Set-aside policy and management reduced the extent of agricultural production surpluses, resulted in soil improvement, landscape and farm diversification, and conservation of nature. Also sometimes referred to as fallow.

Sewage (or domestic wastewater or municipal wastewater) is a type of wastewater that is produced from a community of people.

Natural gas from shale formations (European Commission, 2018).

A system that links people to the vital forces of nature, especially the soul or inner-self of non-humans or nature spirits, through the mediation of a specialist, the shaman. Shamans are generally trained through enduring experiences including the consumption of psychotropic substances that lead them to experience spiritual connections that are mobilized to combat illness and any dangers that may affect their community.

Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs) describe alternative socioeconomic futures in the absence of climate policy intervention, comprising sustainable development (SSP1), regional rivalry (SSP3), inequality (SSP4), fossil-fuelled development (SSP5) and middle-of- the-road development (SSP2). The combination of SSP-based socio- economic scenarios and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)-based climate projections provides an integrative frame for climate impact and policy analysis.

Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs) describe alternative socio- economic futures in the absence of climate policy intervention, comprising sustainable development (SSP1), regional rivalry (SSP3), inequality (SSP4), fossil-fuelled development (SSP5) and middle-of-the-road development (SSP2). The combination of SSP-based socio-economic scenarios and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)-based climate projections provides an integrative frame for climate impact and policy analysis.

Narratives outlining broad characteristics of the global future and country-level population, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), urbanisation projections based on five alternative socio- economic developments (i.e. sustainable development), regional rivalry, inequality, fossil-fuelled development, and middle-of-the- road development. The SSPs are supported by key quantitative indicators and metrics, describing trends in demographics, human development, economy and lifestyle, policies and institutions, technology, environment and natural resources.

Shared values are the broad and specific values that people express collectively, in groups, communities, and across society as a whole. They can be formed through long-term processes of socialisation and shorter-term processes such as group deliberations.

See 'Continental shelf'.

An agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned to regenerate soil fertility by the regeneration of natural vegetation. The system involves 1) the removal of the natural vegetation (usually forest or shrub land) in most cases (though not exclusively) by cutting and subsequent burning, mulching, or their combinations (such as in slash-and-burn, slash-and-mulch); 2) an alternation between a short duration of cultivation and a comparatively long duration of bush or forest fallow (such as in swidden agroforestry); and 3) the regular, in most cases cyclical, shifting of field (Erni, 2015). Shifting cultivation systems are found around the world, particularly in tropical areas, in a wide range of soils and vegetation types, under a diversity of land and resource management, using different crops and cultivation methods, and are practiced by innumerous Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned and allowed to revert to their natural vegetation while the cultivator moves on to another plot.

An agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned to regenerate soil fertility by the regeneration of natural vegetation. The system involves 1) the removal of the natural vegetation (usually forest or shrub land) in most cases (though not exclusively) by cutting and subsequent burning, mulching, or their combinations (such as in slash-and-burn, slash-and- mulch); 2) an alternation between a short duration of cultivation and a comparatively long duration of bush or forest fallow (such as in swidden agroforestry); and 3) the regular, in most cases cyclical, shifting of field (Erni, 2015). Shifting cultivation systems are found around the world, particularly in tropical areas, in a wide range of soils and vegetation types, under a diversity of land and resource management, using different crops and cultivation methods, and are practiced by innumerous Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

A building or other construction associated with a Japanese religion (Shinto) which incorporate the worship of ancestors and nature spirits.

The applied science of forest ecology and management. The foundation is based on silvics, which is concerned with the development and growth of trees and forests. The practice of silviculture is rooted in a broad understanding of forested ecosystems, which includes biometeorology, hydrology, geology and soils and ecology.

The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health and quality of forest and woodlands to meet the targeted diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.

Combination of livestock-cattle, sheep, goats, other ruminants-with trees or other woody perennials and forages on the same unit of land.