Appendix 1  Appendix 2  Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5  Appendix 6 Appendix 7

Appendix 6: Definition of terms

SSC/IUCN. 2000. IUCN Guidelines for the prevention of biodiversity loss caused by alien invasive species. Gland Switzerland.

English version: http://iucn.org/themes/ssc/pubs/policy/invasivesEng.htm
Chinese version: http://www.chinabiodiversity.com/shwdyx/ruq/ruq-index-cn.htm

"Alien invasive species" means an alien species which becomes established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitat, is an agent of change, and threatens native biological diversity.

"Alien species" (non-native, non-indigenous, foreign, exotic) means a species, subspecies, or lower taxon occurring outside of its natural range (past or present) and dispersal potential (i.e. outside the range it occupies naturally or could not occupy without direct or indirect introduction or care by humans) and includes any part, gametes or propagule of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce.

"Biological diversity" (Biodiversity) means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

"Biosecurity threats" means those matters or activities which, individually or collectively, may constitute a biological risk to the ecological welfare or to the well-being of humans, animals or plants of a country.

"Intentional introduction" means an introduction made deliberately by humans, involving the purposeful movement of a species outside of its natural range and dispersal potential. (Such introductions may be authorised or unauthorised.)

"Introduction" means the movement, by human agency, of a species, subspecies, or lower taxon (including any part, gametes or propagule that might survive and subsequently reproduce) outside its natural range (past or present). This movement can be either within a country or between countries.

"Unintentional introduction" means an unintended introduction made as a result of a species utilising humans or human delivery systems as vectors for dispersal outside its natural range.

"Native species"(indigenous) means a species, subspecies, or lower taxon, occurring within its natural range (past or present) and dispersal potential (i.e. within the range it occupies naturally or could occupy without direct or indirect introduction or care by humans.)

"Natural ecosystem" means an ecosystem not perceptibly altered by humans.

"Semi-natural ecosystem" means an ecosystem which has been altered by human actions, but which retains significant native elements.