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Definitions
List of terms for Biodiversity
Producing enough food for a rapidly growing population, and taking care of our planet are two of the world's biggest challenges.
C
Carrying capacity
The maximum number of people, or individuals of a particular species, that a given part of the environment can maintain indefinitely. [Source: World Resources Institute]
Cartagena Protocol
International agreement that lays down rules under which genetically modified (GM) crops and other GM organisms can be transferred from one country to another. The Protocol is a part of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and entered info force in September 2003.
Cold forest
One of three broadly-defined types of forest (see also 'temperate forest' and 'tropical forest'). Cold forests contain relatively few species of tree — mainly fir, pine and spruce — and are found mainly in North America and the northern parts of Europe and Asia.
Community
A group of interdependent organisms living in the same area and interacting together. Also called a biological community.
Conservation
The management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to the current generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. [Source: World Resources Institute]
Convention on Biological Diversity
International agreement signed by 180 governments at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Convention asserts that natural resources belong to the sovereign state in which they exist. Signatories promise to conserve biodiversity, use it in a sustainable way, and share any benefits equitably.
