Natural Heritage Information Centre
Glossary
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | The UTM accuracy is an important factor to consider in the geographic query. All Element Occurrences are assigned a level of accuracy for the Easting and Northing data.UTM Accuracy Code and Description of the Accuracy 0 Accurate to within 1 metre 1 Accurate to within 10 metres 2 Accurate to within 100 metres 3 Accurate to within 1 km 4 Accurate to within 10 km 5 Accuracy is greater than 10 km (unmappable) |
| Biodiversity | The word "biodiversity" is a contraction of "biological diversity" and is commonly used to describe the number, variety and variability of living organisms. Biodiversity is commonly defined in terms of the variability of genes, species and ecosystems, corresponding to these three fundamental and hierarchically related levels of biological organization. |
| CDC(s) | Conservation data centre(s), also known as natural heritage programs (NHPs) |
| Common Name | Common English name for the species/subspecies. Common names follow one of several references. |
| Community | See ecological community. |
| Conservation Data Centre | An organization or provincial or state government program dedicated to the compilation, maintenance and dissemination of biodiversity information pertinent to the jurisdiction(s) the CDC serves, following methodologies standardized across the international CDC network (aka Natural Heritage Network). "Natural heritage program" is another term that refers to a CDC. |
| COSEWIC | Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada |
| COSEWIC Status | Status assigned by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. |
| COSSARO | The Committee on the Status of Species-at-Risk in Ontario COSSARO is the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) committee that evaluates the conservation status of species occurring in Ontario, and leads or cooperates in recovery work for species-at-risk in Ontario. |
| Data Deficient | A term used by COSEWIC to refer to a species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation |
| Datum | The UTM coordinates of a point are usually determined from a grid printed on the Federal NTS and on the OBM series of maps. The position and numbering of the grid on the map sheet is determined on the basis of the position of the map relative to a geodetic datum. Many maps are based upon a datum known as the North American Datum 1927 (NAD27). There has been a revision to the datum (known as the 1983 datum (NAD83)), leading to a revised grid on newer maps. This could result in discrepancies of up to 200m between the two versions. The datum is shown on the bottom centre of the map you are using. If the datum is taken from a GPS, the WGS 72 is equivalent to NAD 27 and the WGS 84 is equivalent to NAD 83.Eventually, all maps will be based upon the NAD 83 and all coordinates will be consistent. In the interim, however, it is important to record the DATUM on which the coordinates were developed. |
| Ecological Community | Conservation data centres define communities as recurring assemblages of plants and animals, having a consistent composition, structure, and habitat.The community, as defined above, is generally quite similar to the ecosystem, though with much greater emphasis on living elements and their respective interconnections. Groups of biota common to a given community are understood to be functionally linked through the influences they directly or indirectly have on one another. Communities are also defined as multi-scalar. The very expansive boreal forest or tall grass prairie could be thought of as communities, much in the same respect as the smaller group of biota living together in a backyard pond.Biologists have attempted to narrow this concept's scope of focus by concentrating on particular types of communities. Variants include fungal, microbial, plant, animal, ecological, biotic, and natural communities amongst others. Biotic communities are multiple species groupings of biota, such as assemblages of both plants and animals. Ecological communities attribute various patterns of community distribution to underlying abiotic factors, attempting to better integrate some non-living features into their definitions. Natural communities focus on communities shaped by primarily non-human factors. Many conservation data centres collect and share information on ecological communities that are largely natural in origin. |
| Ecosystem | An ecosystem is a multi-scale unit of interacting organisms and the non-living resources (e.g. water, soil) on which they depend, as a functional and integrated whole.The term ecosystem has been applied in numerous ways since it was first conceptualized. Today its usage continues to vary widely. The concept is sufficiently general to allow many slightly different interpretations. Biologists designing land or natural resource management or conservation strategies tend to apply the ecosystem term to geographic units (often labeled as different types of eco-units). These units can be defined at multiple and often nested scales, each encompassing portions of the Earth's matrix of air, water, soil, and biota perceived as having a distinct functional connection. Some research biologists often define the term a bit differently. These biologists are more concerned with the flows of matter and energy amongst a given ecosystem's components, than the components themselves or their areas of greatest coincidence. This theoretical distinction is sometimes useful because it helps distinguish ecosystems from ecological communities, a seemingly related unit and an important focus of many conservation data centres. |
| Element | Refers to an element of biodiversity, a term used by CDCs and NatureServe to refer to the forms of biodiversity upon which CDCs and NatureServe compile information: species (including sub-species, varieties and hybrids) and natural communities. |
| Element Occurrence (EO) | A term used by CDCs and NatureServe that refers to an occurrence of an element of biodiversity on the landscape; an area of land and/or water on/in which an element (e.g. species or ecological community) is or was present. An EO has conservation value for the element: it is a location important to the conservation of the species or community. For a species, an EO is generally the habitat occupied by a local population. What constitutes an occurrence varies among species. Breeding colonies, breeding ponds, denning sites and hibernacula are general examples of different types of animal EOs. For an ecological community, an EO may be the area containing a patch of that community type. |
| Geo-referenced | Generally refers to data with geographic information included such as latitude and longitude or Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), so that the data can be plotted and displayed on a map. |
| GIS | Geographic Information System. Computer software that allows spatial data to be viewed, manipulated, and printed. |
| Global Rank (GRANK) | Global ranks are assigned by a consensus of the network of CDCs, scientific experts,and The Nature Conservancy to designate a rarity rank based on the range-wide status of a species, subspecies or variety.The most important factors considered in assigning global (and provincial) ranks are the total number of known, extant sites world-wide, and the degree to which they are potentially or actively threatened with destruction. Other criteria include the number of known populations considered to be securely protected, the size of the various populations, and the ability of the taxon to persist at its known sites. The taxonomic distinctness of each taxon has also been considered. Hybrids, introduced species, and taxonomically dubious species, subspecies and varieties have not been included. |
| Metadata | Refers to information that describes data or databases. To be able to compare information about one set of data or database with another, metadata should be developed to a common standard (i.e. standard set of fields and criteria for completing fields). |
| MNR | Ministry of Natural Resources |
| MNR Status | The MNR Status is assigned by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. |
| National Rank (NRANK) | A term used by CDCs and NatureServe to refer to the national conservation status rank of an element. |
| Natural Area | An area identified as having significant or unique natural heritage features. Natural Areas listed in the Natural Areas Database, may be identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Conservation Authorities, the International Biological Program (IBP) or by non-governmental organizations such as the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, the Nature Conservancy of Canada or Bird Studies Canada. Natural areas include evaluated wetlands, Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (both life science and earth science), provincial and national parks, Conservation Areas, IBP Sites and nature reserves. |
| Natural Areas Database | A database maintained by the Natural Heritage Information Centre containing information on significant and unique natural areas in Ontario. The database contains a general site description as well as information on the location of the area, its vegetation communities, features represented, condition, biological diversity and ecological functions. The database can be queried through the NHIC website. |
| Natural Communities | See ecological community |
| Natural Heritage | Natural heritage is all living organisms, natural areas and ecological communities which we inherit and leave to future generations. |
| Natural Heritage Network | The network of CDCs throughout the Americas. All network members use the same methodology and database structure to maintain information on the elements of biodiversity in their jurisdictions. |
| Natural Heritage Program | See conservation data centre |
| Population | Biologically, a population is a group of organisms of one species occupying a defined area and usually isolated geographically or otherwise to some degree from other similar groups. |
| Provincial Rank (SRANK) | Provincial (or Subnational) ranks are used by the Natural Heritage Information Centre to set protection priorities for rare species and natural communities. These ranks are not legal designations. Provincial ranks are assigned in a manner similar to that described for global ranks, but consider only those factors within the political boundaries of Ontario. By comparing the global and provincial ranks, the status, rarity, and the urgency of conservation, needs can be ascertained. The NHIC evaluates provincial ranks on a continual basis and produces updated lists at least annually. |
| Rarity Rank | A G-rank, N-rank or S-rank assigned to a species or ecological community that primarily conveys the degree of rarity of the species or community at the global, national or sub-national level, respectively. |
| Scientific Name | Scientific ("Latin") binomial with optional subspecies or variety name appended if applicable. Scientific names follow one of several scientific references. |
| Species | The lowest principal unit of biological classification formally recognized as a group of organisms distinct from other groups. In sexually producing organisms, "species" is more narrowly characterized as a group of organisms that in natural conditions freely interbreed with members of the same group but not with members of other groups. |
| Species at Risk | Species that are at risk of extinction, extirpation or endangerment globally or within a jurisdiction or region. |
| Species Diversity | Refers to the number of different species within an assemblage, ecological community, area or sample; also known as species richness. |
| Sub-national Rank (SRANK) | See Provincial Rank |
| Sub-species | A taxonomically distinct subdivision of a species. A group of interbreeding natural populations differing morphologically and genetically, and often isolated geographically, from other such groups within a biological species; sub-species interbreed successfully where their ranges overlap. |
| Taxonomy | The science of the classification of organisms. |
| Tracking List | Species marked with a "YES" or "Y" are actively tracked (ie. occurrence data is actively gathered) by the NHIC. Those marked with a "W" are "watch-list" species, which are not actively tracked, but are watched for evidence of decline.Species actively tracked generally have fewer than 100 recent occurrences in Ontario, or are highly ranked globally. The NHIC welcomes information on occurrences of actively tracked species. To report such information, use the Rare Species Report Form. |
| UTM Accuracy | See Accuracy |