Alien organisms

Plants, animals and microorganisms which do not naturally occur in an area, and which are deliberately or accidentally introduced by humans to ecosystems outside of their natural range.

Biogeographic

Concerning both geographical (e.g. climate, ocean currents), and biological (e.g. animals, plants) components and the inter-relationship of these components with humans.

Biological Diversity or Biodiversity

The variability among living organisms from all sources including, infer alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Biological Resources

Includes genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, populations, or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential or value for humanity.

Biome

Any major ecological community of organisms, usually characterised by a dominant vegetation type.

Biotechnology

Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.

Cell

A cell is a small unit of living matter potentially capable of self-reproduction Cells contain DNA, where information is stored, ribosomes, where proteins are made, and energy conversion mechanisms.

Conservation

The management of human use of the biosphere to yield the greatest benefit to present generations while maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. Conservation thus includes sustainable use, protection, maintenance, rehabilitation, restoration, and enhancement of the natural environment

DNA

DNA is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, a long chainlike molecule found in cells, storing all the information necessary for life.

Ecological Community

All the organisms that live in a given habitat and affect one another as part of the food web or through their various influences on the physical environment.

Ecosystem

A dynamic complex of plant, animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.

Endemic

Any plant or animal species confined to or exclusive to a particular, specified area.

Enhancement

Increasing the capacity of an ecosystem or population to fulfil a particular function or yield a specified product.

Ex-Situ Conservation

The conservation of components of biodiversity off site, or outside their natural habitats.

Fynbos

Fynbos is the main vegetation type of the southwestern Cape and of the Cape Floristic Region.

Genes

Genes are small sections of DNA that contain hereditary information which can be passed from one generation to another.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Organisms whose genetic makeup has been altered by the insertion or removal of small fragments of DNA in order to create or enhance desirable characteristics.

Genetic Resources

The useful characteristics of plants, animals and microorganisms that are transmitted genetically.

Genebank

A collection point for the ex-situ conservation of seeds, tissues, or reproductive cells of plants or animals.

Genome

The total genetic complement of the cell(s) of organisms.

Germplasm

A term used to refer to the genetic information of an organism - the total genetic variability of a species.

Habitat

The place or type of site where an organism or population naturally occurs.

In-Situ Conservation

The conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties.

Indigenous

Native to a particular area.

Maintenance

Keeping something in good health or repair.

Population

A group of individuals with common ancestry that are much more likely to mate with one another than with individuals from another such group.

Preservation

Keeping something in its present state.

Prior Informed Consent

Prior informed consent is consent to an activity that is given after receiving full disclosure regarding the reasons for the activity, the specific procedures the activity would entail, the potential risks involved, and the full implications that can realistically be foreseen.

Protection See PRESERVATION.

Protected area

A geographically defined area designated and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives. Protected areas are dedicated primarily to the protection and enjoyment of natural or cultural heritage, to the maintenance of biodiversity, and to the maintenance of lifesupport systems.

Red Data Books

These provide information on the current status and conservation requirements of threatened species and ecosystems. This can be at a global or national level.

Rehabilitation

To return a degraded ecosystem or population to an undegraded condition and to productive use.

Restoration

To return a degraded ecosystem or population to its original condition.

Species

A group of plants, animals, microorganisms or other living organisms that are morphologically similar; that share inheritance from common ancestry; or whose genes are so similar that they can breed together and produce fertile offspring.

Taxa

The named classification units to which individuals, or sets of species, are assigned.

Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge of biodiversity refers to a body of knowledge built up by a group of people through generations of living in close contact with nature. Traditional knowledge of biodiversity is both cumulative and dynamic, building upon the experience of earlier generations and adapting to the new technological and socio-economic changes of the present

Sustainable Use of Biological

The use of components of biological Resources diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to its longterm decline, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.

Voucher

Specimens Vouchers are collections of organisms that are maintained to provide permanent, physical documentation of species identifications and associated data resulting from inventories.

Wildlife

Any non-domestic animals and plants which occur in the wild.

Appendix 2