Glossary

For a full glossary on biodiversity terms, click here

Biodiversity
The whole variety of life on Earth

Biodiversity Action Plan
A formal plan to conserve or enhance biodiversity

Business in the Environment Index
An index of environmental performance

Company Biodiversity Action Plan
A formal plan of a company which outlines the steps it will take to promote and enhance biodiversity

Habitat
The environment in which an organism lives. Habitat can also refer to the organisms and physical environment in a particular place

IUCN Red list
An account of the threatened status of thousands of plant and animal species

Lead Partner
Organisation which implements the Biodiversity Action Plan of a specific species or habitat

Parties
Governments who have signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Site Biodiversity Action Plan (Site BAP)
A formal plan to enhance or conserve habitats and / or species on a specific site

Species
A group of individuals that interbreed with each other but not with other such groups. There are however many definitions of species.

Species Champion
Organisation or company that provides the resources to implement a Species or Habitat Action Plan

Sustainable Development
Development which seeks to meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Triple Bottom Line
The concept of balancing economic growth, environmental quality and social equity

Acronyms used on this website

BAP
Biodiversity Action Plan

BiE
Business in the Environment

BTO
British Trust for Ornithology

CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity

CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

CROW
Countryside and Rights of Way Act

DEFRA
Department of Environment, Food and Regional Affairs

EBS
England Biodiversity Strategy

EIRiS
The Ethical Investment Research Service

EMS
Environmental Management System

ESA
Environmentally Sensitive Areas

ETRAC
Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee

FWAG
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

LEAF
Linking Environment And Farming

HAP
Habitat Action Plan

LBAP
Local Biodiversity Action Plan

NGO
Non Governmental Organisation

RSPB
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

RSS
Rural Stewardship Scheme

SAC
Special Area of Conservation

SAP
Species Action Plan

SPA
Special Protection Area

SIGMA
Sustainability Integrated Guidelines for Management

SME
Small and medium sized enterprises

SSSI
Site of Special Scientific Interest

UKBAP
UK Biodiversity Action Plan

WBCSD
World Business Council for Sustainable Development

WGS
Woodland Grant Scheme

Photo Credit: Laura Morrison/Earthwatch Institute