Glossary
The MEnD Glossary provides brief definitions and explanations of terms used on the website. Definitions are based on the latest thinking by government agencies and devolved administrations.
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Term |
Definition |
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| Biodiversity |
Short for ‘biological diversity’, referring to all the different kinds of life found in one area. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem health and provides numerous benefits to humans, such as food, clean air and water, and climate regulation.
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Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
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An approach to development that requires developers in England to enhance biodiversity to mitigate any loss due to development, so that an overall increase in natural habitat and ecological features is achieved. BNG became a legal requirement for most terrestrial development in England in 2024
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Blue carbon
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Refers to carbon captured by and stored in the world’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
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Blue economy
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Economic activities related to sustainable use of ocean resources. This includes ecosystem services such as carbon storage, coastal protection, cultural values and biodiversity.
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Climate change
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A large-scale shift in the earth’s weather patterns and average air and sea temperatures.
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Coast
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The land near to the sea that is influenced by coastal processes.
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Ecosystem
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The complex of living organisms, their physical environment, and all their interrelationships within a particular geographic area.
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Ecosystem goods and services
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The benefits that can be obtained from ecosystems, including food, clean air and water, climate regulation, cultural and supporting services.
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Enhancement
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The overarching term used to describe activities that aim to improve the quality, size or geographic distribution of a habitat or species.
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Estuary
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The place where river water mixes with sea water.
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Habitat creation
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Interventions to establish habitat in areas where there has been no known historical presence of the habitat prior to the intervention.
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Indirect enhancement or benefit
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Any project for which primary objective is not to enhance biodiversity, but may result in enhancement of nearby areas as a by-product.
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Marine Net Gain (MNG)
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A UK policy aimed at supporting marine ecosystem recovery by requiring developments to deliver an overall environmental gain.
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Nature-based solutions (NbS)
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An overarching term used for actions undertaken to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature. Nature-based Solutions are underpinned by benefits that flow from healthy ecosystems. They target major challenges like climate change, disaster risk reduction, food and water security, biodiversity loss and human health, and are critical to sustainable economic development.
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Recovery
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Actions taken to enable a habitat or species to overcome damage, or other disturbance, and reach a better state rather than trying to “turn the clock back”. This generally involves removing pressures and allowing the habitat to recover naturally.
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Restoration
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Projects entailing a level of intervention. Rebuilding a habitat or reintroducing a species where it has historically been found but is either functionally extinct now or where re-establishment could not occur without assistance.
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Species introduction
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Introduction of a species where there has been no known historical presence of the species prior to the intervention.
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