Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

61 Appendix 4 – Glossary and Bibliography Glossary: Biodiversity – The variety of plant and animal life in the world or within a habitat. Calcareous – Containing calcium carbonate, lime or being ‘chalky.’ Carbon sequestration – A natural or artificial process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in solid or liquid form, such as in peat bogs. Climate change – A change in global or regional climate patterns attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by using fossil fuels. Coniferous – A tree that bears cones and needle-like or scale-like leaves that are typically evergreen. Conservation – The preservation, protection or restoration of the natural environment and of wildlife. Deciduous – Broadleaved trees and shrubs which shed their leaves seasonally, usually in autumn. Ecosystem – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. Ecosystem services – The benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to making human life both possible and worth living. Endangered – A species at high risk of becoming extinct in the near future. Finite – Being limited in size or extent, i.e. will run out if not managed sustainably. Flagship species – In conservation biology, a flagship species is a species chosen to raise support for biodiversity conservation in a given place or social context. Geodiversity – The natural range or diversity of geological features (rocks, minerals, fossils, structures), geomorphological features (landforms and processes), soil and water that compose and shape the physical landscape. Habitat – The natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism, containing the resources, physical and biotic factors that support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. Invasive species – A non-native species of plant or animal that does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm to human, animal or plant health. Net zero – A state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by the greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere. By achieving net zero, we can stop climate change. Photosynthesis – The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a by-product. Pollination – The transfer of pollen from an anther of a plant to the stigma of a plant, later enabling fertilisation and the production of seeds, most often by an animal or by wind. Priority species – Any animal species that were identified as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). Restoration – The action of returning something to its former owner, place or condition. Rewilding – Conservation efforts aimed at restoring and protecting natural processes and wilderness areas. This may include providing connectivity between important habitats and protecting or reintroducing apex predators and keystone species. Sustainability – Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain ecological balance and preserve resources for future generations. 10.0 Appendices