Glossary

Biodiversity

The variety and variability within and between living organisms from all sources, such as terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part.

Biome

Major biotic community composed of all the plants and animals in a specific geographical region and smaller biotic communities. The smaller communities in a biome possess similarities in gross external appearances and gross climatic conditions.

Biotic

Pertaining to life; concerning the living component of the environment.

Climate change

An alteration in measured quantities (e.g., precipitation, temperature, radiation, wind and cloudiness) within the climate system that departs significantly from previous average conditions and is seen to endure, bringing about corresponding changes in ecosystems and socioeconomic activity.

Cordillera

An elongated range of mountains.

Ecosystem

A dynamic system of plants, animals and other organisms, together with the non-living components of the environment, functioning as an interdependent unit.

Ethos

The totality of the distinctive ways of living that separate one group of people from another, especially their values.

Eutrophication

The enrichment of water by nutrients, especially compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus, that will accelerate the growth of algae and higher forms of plant life. This enrichment may interfere with the normal ecological balance of the receiving waters.

Greenhouse gases

Those gases, such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, tropospheric ozone, nitrous oxide and methane, that are transparent to solar radiation but opaque to longwave radiation. Their action is similar to that of glass in a greenhouse.

Hardwood

Trees whose leaves are not persistent and fall off at the end of a defined growing season or during a period of temperature or moisture stress. This is the predominant tree type in deciduous forests.

Nanotechnology

The manufacture of materials and structures with dimensions that measure up to 100 nanometers (billionths of a metre).

Non-timber forest products

Any commodity obtained from the forest that does not necessitate harvesting trees. Includes game animals, fur-bearers, nuts and seeds, berries, mushrooms, oils, foliage, medicinal plants, peat, fuelwood, forage, etc.

Paradigm

A set of thoughts, perceptions and values that form particular vision of reality.

Plain

A relatively large, level, featureless topographic surface.

Resilience

The capacity of a community or ecosystem to maintain or regain normal function and development following disturbance.

Riparian areas

A terrestrial area, other than a coastal area, of variable width adjacent to and influenced by a perennial or intermittent body of water.

Shield

Large area of Crystalline Precambrian rock that forms the core of continents.

Silviculture

The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.

Softwood

Cone-bearing trees with needles or scale-like leaves. This is the predominant tree type in coniferous forests.

Stewardship

The science, art and skill of responsible and accountable management of resources.

Sustainable forest management

Management that maintains and enhances the long-term health of forest ecosystems for the benefit of all living things while providing environmental, economic, social and cultural opportunities for present and future generations.

Symbiotic association

The living together in intimate association of two dissimilar organisms, so that the cohabitation is mutually beneficial.

Value-added product

A product that has had value added to it through further processing. Examples of value-added wood products include windows, doors, kitchen cabinets, flooring and mouldings. Value-added pulp and paper products include such items as packaging, diapers, coated papers, tissue, business papers, stationery and other consumer paper products.