APPENDIX 1.
Glossary
Global climate change
The Framework Convention on Climate (FCCC) defines it as "a change of climate that is
attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global
atmosphere, and that is in addition to natural climate variability over comparable time periods."
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines climate change more broadly
as "any change in climate over time whether due to natural variability or as a result of human
activity". Our usage in this Guide is partly in line with the IPCC, (considering ocean conditions
as a part of the broader climatology) but focusing on the anthropogenic component of change,
as in the FCC definition. The impact and consequences for eco-health are the same regardless
of what percentage of the variability is anthropogenic.
Grazing pressure
The amount of grazing (consumption of plants and algae) within a community or ecosystem. It
can be a function of the abundance of specific grazers and suitable foraging grounds.
Guild
A group of species that use the same resources in a similar way; an ecological association
based on similar roles in a community rather than evolutionary descent, as for example, filter
feeders or browsers.
Habitat
The area or environment where an organism or community normally lives or occurs. Habitat
types are distinguished from one another by their distinct biotic and abiotic composition and
structure that forms living space.
Health
The World Health Organization defines it as "a state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". More specifically Health can
be considered "level of functional and/or metabolic efficiency of an organism at both the
micro(cellular) and macro(social) level. In the medical field, health is commonly defined as an
organism's ability to efficiently respond to challenges (stressors) and effectively restore and
sustain a "state of balance," known as homeostasis.
Herbivore
An animal that feeds on plants or algae.
Indicator
A direct or proxy measurement of an ecological process, environmental condition or stressor,
or organism for which it is indicative.
In situ
In the natural or original position.
Keystone species
A species that has a disproportionately (relative to its abundance) large impact on other
species, the ecological community or key ecological processes.
Littoral
The region or zone between the limits of high and low tide. Of, or pertaining to, a shore,
especially a seashore.
MPA
Marine Protected Area. Any area of intertidal or subtidal terrain, together with its overlying
waters and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved
by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment (IUCN) A
broad, inclusive term which includes both mulit-purpose sites with some restrictions as well
as the more restrictive "no take" marine reserves.
Meta-analysis
The process or technique of synthesizing research results by using various statistical methods
to retrieve, select, and combine results from previous separate but related studies.
Microhabitat
The physical environment that surrounds influences and is utilized by an organism, within a
limited spatial area of interest (e.g., a single coral head, or a crevice within a coral head).
Multivariate analysis
An analysis of more than one statistical variable at a time.
Natality
The ratio of total live births to total population in a specified community or area over a specified
time.
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