Glossary definitions

The removal of trees or de-emphasis on the planting and/or protection of trees in the context of existing agroecosystems.

Geographic areas with homogeneous sets of climatic parameters and natural resource characteristics, such as rainfall, solar radiation, soil types and soil qualities, which correspond to a level of agricultural potential.

A human activity system that provides specific services and possesses certain characteristics such as defined biodiversity, a determined ecological succession and food webs and nutrient cycles.

A broad term that includes all components of biological diversity of relevance to food and agriculture, and all components of biological diversity that constitute the agricultural ecosystems, also named agro-ecosystems: the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms, at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels, which are necessary to sustain key functions of the agro-ecosystem, its structure and processes (CBD COP decision V/5, appendix). Agricultural biodiversity is the outcome of the interactions among genetic resources, the environment and the management systems and practices used by farmers, in some cases over millennia.

Agrobiodiversity or agricultural biodiversity is the biological diversity that sustains key functions, structures and processes of agricultural ecosystems. It includes the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms, at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels.

Agricultural biodiversity is the biological diversity that sustains key functions, structures and processes of agricultural ecosystems. It includes the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms, at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels.

The result of natural selection processes and the careful selection and inventive developments of farmers, herders and fishers over millennia. A vital sub-set of biodiversity.

Any substance used to help manage an agricultural ecosystem, or the community of organisms in a farming area. Agrochemicals include: (i) fertilizers; (ii) liming and acidifying agents; (iii) soil conditioners; (iv) pesticides; and (v) chemicals used in animal husbandry, such as antibiotics and hormones.

An approach that aims to regenerate functionally interacting biodiversity leading to sustainable, resilient systems. Methods are knowledge, management and labour- intensive rather than input intensive, and are often rooted in traditional farming practices and/or are co-developed by farmers and scientists working together.

The science and practice of applying ecological concepts, principles and knowledge (i.e. the interactions of, and explanations for, the diversity, abundance and activities of organisms) to the study, design and management of sustainable agroecosystems. It includes the roles of human beings as a central organism in agroecology by way of social and economic processes in farming systems. Agroecology examines the roles and interactions among all relevant biophysical, technical and socioeconomic components of farming systems and their surrounding landscapes.

The science and practice of applying ecological concepts, principles and knowledge (i.e. the interactions of, and explanations for, the diversity, abundance and activities of organisms) to the study, design and management of sustainable agroecosystems. It includes the roles of human beings as a central organism by way of social and economic processes in farming systems. Agroecology examines the roles and interactions among all relevant biophysical, technical and socioeconomic components of farming systems and their surrounding landscapes.

An ecosystem, dominated by agriculture, containing assets and functions such as biodiversity, ecological succession and food webs. An agroecosystem is not restricted to the immediate site of agricultural activity (e.g. the farm), but rather includes the region that is impacted by this activity, usually by changes to the complexity of species assemblages and energy flows, as well as to the net nutrient balance.

Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence.

A collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos and so on) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. Agroforestry can enhance the food supply, income and health of smallholder farmers and other rural people.

A collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land- management units as agricultural crops and animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence.

A collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land- management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence.

Rural and urban agricultural land use systems in which trees or tree-like perennial and forests are deliberately planted or protected along with agricultural crops and/ or animals and associated wild species.

The 20 targets set by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) at its tenth meeting, under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

The fraction of solar radiation reflected by a surface or object, often expressed as a percentage.

Alien species that becomes established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitat, are agents of change, and threaten native biological diversity.

See invasive alien species.

A species, subspecies, or lower taxon occurring outside of its natural range (past or present) and dispersal potential (i.e. outside the range it occupies naturally or could not occupy without direct or indirect introduction or care by humans) and includes any part, gametes or propagule of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce. Also known as non-native, non-indigenous, foreign, or exotic species.

Refer to sites containing 95% or more of the remaining population of one or more species listed as endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Soils deposited by water.

The diversity of species within a particular area or ecosystem, expressed by the number of species (species richness) present there.

Plausible future pathways either arising from or forming scenario assessments, often presented as narratives that explore or articulate possibilities.

Variable pathways or routes leading to plausible Alternative Futures.

Policy combinations that act to improve condistions or situations.

Without a clearly defined shape or form.

Descriptive of a condition in which molecular oxygen is not available.

The attribution of a living soul to living beings, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena.

The attribution of a soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena.

In Botany, refers to plants that grow from seed to maturity, reproduction and death in one year. Related terms are biennial (plants that take two years to complete their life cycles), and perennial (plants that take several or many years to complete their life cycles).

adj. Referring to events that occur once each year. Botanical meaning refers to plants that grow from seed to maturity, reproduction and death in one year. Related terms are biennial (plants that take two years to complete their life cycles), and perennial (plants that take several to many years to complete their life cycles).

In botany, refers to plants that grow from seed to maturity, reproduction and death in one year. Related terms are biennial (plants that take two years to complete their life cycles), and perennial (plants that take several many years to complete their life cycles).

Depleted of dissolved oxygen.

Extreme coastal hypoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen <0.5mL per liter), leading to dead zones with mass mortality of benthic fauna.

A shortened form for 'anthropogenic biome', also known as 'human biome'. Describes the contemporary, human-altered form of biomes. Transformation to an anthrome occurs where people capture one or more nature's contributions to people into anthropogenic pa.

Neologism for Anthropogenic biome, i.e. an ecosystem produced by humans.

A proposed term for the present time interval, which recognizes humanity’s profound imprint on and role in the functioning of the Earth system. Since it was first proposed in 2000, the term has evolved in breadth and diversely, now ranging from a proposed definition of a new geological epoch, a widely-used metaphor for global change, a novel analytical framework, a meme about the relationship of society to nature, and the framing for new and contested cultural narratives. Different starting periods have been proposed for the geological definition of the Anthropocene, including early agriculture and domestication, colonial species exchange, the onset of the industrial revolution, nuclear bomb deployment in 1945, and the post-WWII period characterized by the great acceleration of global changes and the spread of techno-fossils. A proposal to formalize the ‘Anthropocene’ as a defined geological unit within the Geological Time Scale remains under discussion by the ‘Anthropocene’ Working Group for consideration by the International Commission on Stratigraphy.

A proposed term for the present time interval, which recognizes humanity’s profound imprint on and role in the functioning of the Earth system. Since it was first proposed in 2000, the term has evolved in breadth and diversity, now ranging from a proposed definition of a new geological epoch, a widely-used metaphor for global change, a novel analytical framework, a meme about the relationship of society to nature, and the framing for new and contested cultural narratives. Different starting periods have been proposed for the geological definition of the Anthropocene, including early agriculture and domestication, colonial species exchange, the onset of the industrial revolution, nuclear bomb deployment in 1945, and the post-WWII period characterized by the great acceleration of global changes and the spread of techno-fossils (Brondizio et al., 2016). A proposal to formalize the ‘Anthropocene’ as a defined geological unit within the Geological Time Scale remains under discussion by the ‘Anthropocene’ Working Group for consideration by the International Commission on Stratigraphy.

Anthropocentric qualifies an action or a perception of a given situation that is interpreted by humans or consider humans as the main focus. Nature's contributions to people are fundamentally anthropocentric.

Human-centred, the value that something has for human beings and human purposes.

The value that something has for human beings and human purposes.

See values.

In an anthropocentric view of nature, nature is valued for its benefits to human beings. See Ecocentric.

Originating from human activity.

Built-up infrastructure, health facilities, knowledge (including indigenous and local knowledge systems and technical or scientific knowledge, as well as formal and non- formal education), technology (both physical objects and procedures), and financial assets among others.

Built-up infrastructure, health facilities, or knowledge - including indigenous and local knowledge systems and technical or scientific knowledge - as well as formal and non-formal education, technology (both physical objects and procedures), and financial assets. Anthropogenic assets have been highlighted to emphasize that a good quality of life is achieved by a co-production of benefits between nature and societies.

Built-up infrastructure, health facilities, or knowledge - including indigenous and local knowledge systems and technical or scientific knowledge - as well as formal and non-formal education, technology (both physical objects and procedures), and financial assets. Anthropogenic assets have been highlighted to emphasize that a good quality of life is achieved by a co-production of benefits between nature and people.