Glossary

A specific action or set of tasks undertaken by project staff and/or partners to reach one or more objectives. (Open Standards) For example tree planting or captive breeding.

Change in income generation behaviour of communities impacted by conservation activities – intended to be conservation friendly.

Stakeholder knowledge and understanding about threats to species and ecosystems or their importance, and ways to mitigate that.

A reference point or scenario used to measure changes or impacts of interventions over time.

Simply put, the variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part. This includes variation in genetic, phenotypic, phylogenetic, and functional attributes.

The reduction of anthropogenic and other threats to prevent the loss of biodiversity in terms of both diversity, abundance and distribution. (Based on the definition of biodiversity above).

Artificially introduced measures to improve the chances of reproduction of a species and/or survival chances of neonates (usually physical e.g. nesting boxes, head-starting initiatives).

Changes in the global climate system's average conditions over long periods, significantly influenced by human activities such as fossil fuel burning, leading to increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

A mission-oriented science that focuses on how to protect and restore biodiversity, or the diversity of life on Earth. (Society for Conservation Biology)

A specific action, activity or programme designed to eliminate or reduce threats, or otherwise improve the conservation of one or more species.

Using the genetic information of a species directly or indirectly to support its conservation in the wild.

The intentional movement and release of a living organism where the primary objective is a conservation benefit: this will usually comprise improving the conservation status of the focal species locally or globally, and/or restoring natural ecosystem functions or processes. (IUCN/SSC Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations 2013)

An individual engaged in the application and implementation of measures aimed at the preservation and restoration of biodiversity and natural habitats. Their work often involves e.g., research, policy advocacy, habitat management, species conservation, and community engagement to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices.

Entity which provides direct financial support to an individual or other entity to implement an approved conservation project.

Any intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem from a degraded state. Active restoration includes a range of human interventions aimed at influencing and accelerating natural successional processes to recover biodiversity ecosystem service provision. Passive restoration includes reliance primarily on natural process of ecological succession to restore degraded ecosystems but may include measures to protect a site from processes that currently prevent natural recovery (e.g. protection of degraded forests from overgrazing by livestock or unintentional human-induced fire). (Example activities: Planting, invasives removal, reconstruction)

A dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. (CBD 1992)

In conservation, "endangered" describes a status indicating that a species is likely to become extinct soon, across all or a significant portion of its range. This classification is more severe than "vulnerable," pointing to a higher level of risk due to factors like rapid population decline, limited or decreasing habitat, or other threats.

Increasing the population numbers of a given species in a controlled environment, separated from the usual habitat of the species.

The conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats. (Law insider)

The state where a species no longer exists in the wild or globally.

Practical, on-the-ground actions and research undertaken directly in natural environments where wildlife, ecosystems, or habitats are located.

Additional financial support secured to continue or expand a programme or project, as a direct result of that project and its results/impact.

A formal statement detailing a project’s desired impact, such as the desired future status of a target. A good goal is specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented, and time limited (SMART). For example- increasing the breeding pair population in the park by at least 30% in 3 years.

Official policy at a national or sub-national level which impacts biodiversity conservation directly (e.g. hunting laws, protected areas creation) or indirectly (e.g. regulatory incentives or laws relating to certain activities which affect wildlife positively or negatively).

Various terms used by different donor organisations to refer to individuals or groups who receive grant money to implement conservation projects.

In the context of biodiversity conservation and the impact statement focused on supporting species survival through sustainable funding, "grassroots" refers to local, community-based groups or individuals who are directly engaged in conservation activities at the local level. These entities operate at the base level, often without formal organisational structures.

The place or type of site where an organism or population naturally occurs. Also used to mean the environmental attributes required by a particular species or its ecological niche. (IPBES) For example tropical wetland or African savannah.

Conflict between humans and wild animals often resulting in violent retaliation against wild animals. Generally caused by crop raiding, livestock predation, resource conflict.

Typically captive-breeding or captivity during an early life stage (e.g. egg incubation or first winter), to ensure protection from predators during a vulnerable period, followed by release in the wild. It aims to improve juvenile survivorship and recruitment and ultimately leads to population increase.

Legal measure taken to prosecute individuals who have illegally removed and/or illegally traded wild species and have been caught.

Illegal removal of a wild species from its natural habitat for financial or other gain. It can also mean the illegal trade of parts or products from the wild species (for example furs or shells).

A measurable value for a specific information need, such as the status of a target, change in a threat, progress towards one or more objectives. A good indicator meets the criteria of being measurable, precise, consistent, and sensitive.

Relatively new technology that is used for the purpose of conservation. For example aerial or underwater drones, acoustic monitoring, AI or eDNA.

The ultimate or long-term changes that conservation efforts aim to achieve in the environment or society. The impact is the broader, lasting effect of conservation activities, beyond immediate outcomes. For example, an improved conservation status of the target wildlife populations.

A self-identified human group that relates to a life environment in collective ways that participate to define a shared territory and culture (IPBES)

A visual representation that outlines the expected sequence of events or steps needed to achieve desired outcomes through specific activities and resources. It details how programme/project inputs (such as resources and efforts) lead to outputs (direct results of programme/project activities) and outcomes (short, intermediate, and long-term changes resulting from the outputs). It provides a structured way to understand the cause-and-effect relationships needed to achieve the intended impact.

A formal statement detailing a desired outcome of a project, such as reducing a critical threat. A good objective meets the criteria of being specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented, and time limited (SMART). If the project is well-conceptualized and -designed, the realization of a project’s objectives should lead to the fulfilment of the project’s goals and ultimately its vision. Compare to vision and goal. (Open Standards)

A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, ecosystem functions and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values.

The specific changes that are expected to occur as a result of a programme, project, or intervention. These can be short-term, intermediate, or long-term. (Open Standards)

The products generated from the activities and inputs of a project or programme. Outputs are tangible deliverables; for example new pelican nesting platforms or a new management plan.

Third party organisation which is involved in a given project in either a donor, project management or project implementation role.

An organisation other than the grant recipient which is involved in a given project in either a donor, project management or implementation role, usually based on a specific, written agreement.

Field work activities to determine the population status trends of a given species, usually through repeated surveys or other standardised observations.

Field work activities covering a specified geographic area and using standardised methodology to determine the status of a given species or group of species in that area. Surveys can take many different forms according to the target species, the geography of the area and the data sought, but should follow accepted methodologies.

Land or marine area has been declared protected from threats to the ecosystem and species in it by national government, local government, local communities or OECM.

Physical and/or legal? protection of threatened species and/or habitat from external (usually anthropogenic) threats.

is the intentional movement and release of an organism inside its indigenous range from which it has disappeared. (IUCN/SSC Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations 2013)

The desired future state of a target or factor. Results include impacts, which are linked to targets and outcomes, which are linked to threats and opportunities. (Open Standards)

The process of restoring ecosystems to their natural state, often by reintroducing species that were previously extirpated or extinct in the wild. This approach aims to enhance biodiversity, restore ecological functions and processes, and allow nature to manage itself with minimal human intervention. (IUCN, Rewilding Europe)

A recognised taxonomic unit based on morphological or genetic similarity of interbreeding group of organisms that is reproductively isolated from all other organisms, although there are many partial exceptions to this rule in particular taxa.

Species conservation involves actions aimed at ensuring the survival of various species facing the current biodiversity crisis. These actions can range from in situ and ex situ species recovery programmes to the establishment of protected areas and capacity building efforts. (IUCN)

Any individual, group, or institution that has a vested interest in or can influence the natural resources of the project area and/or that potentially will be affected by project activities and has something to gain or lose if conditions change or stay the same. Stakeholders are all those who need to be considered in achieving project goals and whose participation and support are crucial to its success. (Open Standards)

Determination of the taxonomic status of a species or sub-species, in support of its conservation.

The set of actions or strategies implemented to mitigate, manage, or remove the negative impacts of identified threats on biodiversity, ecosystems, species, or habitats. This involves interventions aimed at directly addressing the causes of degradation or decline.

In conservation terms, a threat is any factor or process that has the reasonable potential to negatively affect a natural ecosystem, species, or habitat.

Developing stakeholder ability to contribute to conservation activities.

the status of species, ecosystems, or habitats that are at high risk of endangerment in the near future. It is part of a broader set of categories used to assess the extinction risk of species (such as those defined by the IUCN Red List), indicating that while these entities are not currently endangered, they face threats that could lead to significant declines without proactive conservation measures.