Glossary definitions

The difference between how much CO2 vegetation takes in during photosynthesis (gross primary production) minus how much CO2 the plants release during respiration (NASA Earth Observatory, 2018). It corresponds to the increase in plant biomass or carbon of.

The total mass of carbon taken out of the atmosphere by plant photosynthesis (Gross Primary Production) minus return to the atmosphere of carbon due to autotrophic respiration.

A network is an informal arrangement where two or more autonomous individuals and/or organizations come together to exchange ideas, build relationships, identify common interests, explore options on how to work together, share power, and solve problems of mutual interest. Network governance commonly emerges when people realize that they cannot solve a particular problem or issue by working independently and that the only way to achieve their interests is by actively collaborating. Network governance varies in terms of objectives, spatial scales, leadership, representation, organization, and complexity. It is designed to supplement, not replace, other forms of natural resource governance.

A perspective which emphasizes the inter-relatedness and interdependencies of ecosystem components and human uses, and their dynamics and fluxes across spatial scales and between compartments. Instead of just looking at individual components, the functioning, productivity and management of a complex system is taken into consideration. In such complex systems there are trade-offs as well as facilitation and amplification between the different components. A nexus approach can help address synergies and trade-offs among multiple sectors and among various Sustainable Development Goals and biodiversity targets simultaneously (adapted from UNU-FLORES, 2018; also see Chapter 5).

A perspective which emphasizes the inter-relatedness and interdependencies of ecosystem components and human uses, and their dynamics and fluxes across spatial scales and between compartments. Instead of just looking at individual components, the functioning, productivity and management of a complex system is taken into consideration. In such complex systems there are trade-offs as well as facilitation and amplification between the different components. A nexus approach can help address synergies and trade- offs among multiple sectors and among various Sustainable Development Goals and biodiversity targets simultaneously.

interlinkages among biodiversity, climate change, adaptation and mitigation including relevant aspects of the energy system, water, food, and health

A species’ position within an ecosystem. This definition includes both the abiotic and biotic conditions necessary for the species to be able to persist (e.g. temperature range, food sources) and its ecological role, function or job (Polechová & Storch.

A species’ position within an ecosystem. This definition includes both the abiotic and biotic conditions necessary for the species to be able to persist (e.g. temperature range, food sources) and its ecological role, function or “job.

Also known as species distribution models, niche models predict the spatial distribution of a species as a function of environmental variables. They are often used to project the future distributions of species in response to climate change.

A spatially explicit and globally available empirical measurement of human development derived solely from night-time satellite imagery and population density.

The nitrogen transferred from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface by the processes of wet deposition and dry deposition.

Describes the input of reactive nitrogen from the atmosphere to the biosphere both as gases, dry deposition and in precipitation as wet deposition.

Plants, such as legumes, living in symbiosis with micro-organisms in their roots that can perform biological nitrogen fixation, i.e. convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3). Plants can then assimilate NH3 to produce biomolecules (Wagner, 2011).

Plants, such as legumes, living in symbiosis with micro-organisms in their roots that can perform biological nitrogen fixation, i.e. convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3). Plants can then assimilate NH3 to produce biomolecules.

See values.

A non- anthropocentric value is a value centered on something other than human beings. These values can be non-instrumental or instrumental to non-human ends.

A non- anthropocentric value is a value centred on something other than human beings. These values can be non-instrumental or instrumental to non-human ends.

A non-anthropocentric value is a value centered on something other than human beings. These values can be non-instrumental (e.g. a value ascribed to the existence of specific species for their own sake) or instrumental to non-human ends (e.g. the instrumental value a habitat has for the existence of a specific species).

A non-anthropocentric value is a value centred on something other than human beings. These values can be non- instrumental (e.g. a value ascribed to the existence of specific species for their own sake) or instrumental to non-human ends (e.g. the instrumental value a habitat has for the existence of a specific species).

Non-extractive practices are defined as practices based on the observation of wild species in a way that does not involve the harvest or removal of any part of the organism. The observation can imply some interaction with the wild species, such as the activities of wildlife and whale watching or no interaction with the wild species, such as remote photography.

See invasive alien species.

See values.

The value attributed to something as an end in itself, regardless of its utility for other ends.

Non-lethal harvest is defined as the temporary or permanent capture of live animals from their habitat without mortality, such as for the aquarium trade, pet trade or zoos, tag and release activities. Non-lethal harvest of animals also includes the parts or products of animals that do not lead to the mortality of the host, such as vicuna fiber, swift nests or wild honey.

Not arranged in a straight line, not sequential or straightforward.

The value attributable to an item or a service without relation to any acceptable cash price and for which a fixed or determinable amount of currency is absent (e.g. many ecosystem services, interpersonal good-will, health, etc.).

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are useful substances, materials and/or commodities obtained from forests which do not require harvesting (logging) trees. They include game animals, fur-bearers, nuts, seeds, berries, mushrooms, oils, foliage, pollarding, medicinal plants, peat, mast, fuelwood, fish, spices and forage.

Any biological resources found in forests other than timber, including fuel wood and small wood, nuts, seeds, oils, foliage, game animals, berries, medicinal plants, fish, spices, barks, and mushrooms, among others (Prasad, 1993).

A multitude of natural products (excluding timber) selectively harvested from the terrestrial environment for subsistence and commercial purposes.

see target- seeking scenarios.

Norms are rules about what is accepted behaviour. They are supporting underlying values as defined by a society. They are therefore ‘ought to’ statements defining what one may or may not do. Examples are rules about care for nature and what is just treatment of others.

A generic term for the nitrogen oxides most relevant for air pollution (NO and NO2) (Omidvarborna et al., 2015).

Nutrients that can be extracted by plant roots, generally from the soil (Silver, 1994).

A repeated pathway of a particular nutrient or element from the environment through one or more organisms and back to the environment. Examples include the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle and the phosphorus cycle.

The processes by which elements are extracted from their mineral, aquatic, or atmospheric sources or recycled from their organic forms, converting them to the ionic form in which biotic uptake occurs and ultimately returning them to the atmosphere, water, or soil.

A particular type of sacred natural sites represented by patches of forest revered as sacred (Bhagwat & Rutte, 2006). Sacred groves may be revered e.g. as burial grounds (Mgumia & Oba, 2003) or sites of ancestral or deity worship (Ramakrishnan et al., 1998). There are locally-established rules that regulate how sacred groves can be used (Hughes & Chandran, 1998). Observation of those rules often contributes to the biodiversity conservation on those sites (Bhagwat & Rutte, 2006).

A particular type of sacred natural sites represented by patches of forest revered as sacred (Bhagwat & Rutte, 2006). Sacred groves may be revered as burial grounds (Mgumia & Oba, 2003) or sites of ancestral or deity worship (Ramakrishnan et al., 1998). There are locally-established rules that regulate how sacred groves can be used (Hughes & Chandran, 1998). Observation of those rules often contributes to the biodiversity conservation on those sites.

Areas of land or water that have special spiritual significance to peoples and communities. They consist of natural features, ranging from entire ecosystems, such as mountains, forests or islands, to single natural features such as a tree, spring or boulder, and are very important for the conservation of nature and culture. Sacred natural sites have been managed based on indigenous and local knowledge systems, developed over long periods of time, and are source of cultural identity.

Areas of land or water that have special spiritual significance to peoples and communities (Verschuuren et al., 2010). They consist of natural features, ranging from entire ecosystems, such as mountains, forests or islands, to single natural features such as a tree, spring or boulder, and are very important for the conservation of nature and culture. Sacred natural sites have been managed based on indigenous and local knowledge systems, developed over long periods of time, and are source of cultural identity.

Involving or committing sacrilege.

export of products that are free from invasive alien species

The process of increasing the salt content in soil is known as salinization. Salination can be caused by natural processes such as mineral weathering or by the gradual withdrawal of an ocean. It can also come about through artificial processes such as irrigation.

The process of increasing the salt content in soil is known as salinization. Salinization can be caused by natural processes such as mineral weathering or by the gradual withdrawal of an ocean. It can also come about through artificial processes such as irrigation.

A global initiative with the purpose of realizing societies in harmony with nature through the conservation and advancement of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS)” around the world.

Satoyama is the Japanese term for a socio-ecological production landscape (SEPL) represented by a mosaic of different ecosystem types: secondary forests, timber plantations, farmlands, irrigation ponds, and grasslands—along with human settlements. Satoyama is managed through the interaction between ecosystems and humans to create ecosystem services for human well-being. Satoumi refers to Japan's coastal areas where human interaction over time has resulted in a higher degree of productivity and biodiversity. Foundational to both concepts is the positing of a relationship of interaction between humans and their environment, coupled with the notion that properly maintained the relationship is mutually beneficial.

Ecosystem characterised by a continuous layer of herbaceous plants, mostly grasses, and a discontinuous upper layer of trees that may vary in density.

Ecosystem characterized by a continuous layer of herbaceous plants, mostly grasses, and a discontinuous upper layer of trees that may vary in density.

Sawnwood is defined as planks, sleepers (cross-ties), beams, joists, boards, rafters, 1679 scantlings, laths, boxboards and lumber that exceed 5 mm in thickness.

Process in which land use outcomes vary (often counterintuitively) according to the geographic location and spatial scale under consideration.

The spatial, temporal, quantitative and analytical dimensions used to measure and study any phenomenon. The temporal scale is comprised of two properties: (i) 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 (ii) 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).