GLOSSARY
Biodiversity
The variability among living organisms from all sources (including land, aquatic, marine and other ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part), at all levels of organisation, including genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. For the purposes of the Community Engagement with Nature Conservation Survey, the term biodiversity was not used with respondents as it was not easily understood. Instead the terms 'participation in natural environment related activities' and 'nature conservation' were used.
Caring for native wildlife
Providing food, water or rehabilitative support to native animals.
Conservation
In relation to biodiversity, conservation is the protection, maintenance, management, sustainable use, restoration and improvement of the natural environment.
Donated money
Includes 'buying up land' for environmental reasons and environmental fund-raising activities.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a dynamic combination of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment (e.g. soil, water and the climatic regime) interacting as a functional unit. Examples of types of ecosystems include forests, wetlands and grasslands.
Ecosystem services
Services that natural ecosystems provide that are essential to human survival and well-being. For example, natural ecosystems maintain the atmosphere; provide clean water; control soil erosion, pollution and pests; pollinate plants; and provide many other essential processes of significant benefit to humans.
Farming activities
Includes paid or unpaid work on own or other farming property.
Government rebates and incentives
Conservation incentives encourage or motivate people to participate in conservation activities. Incentives can be financial or non-financial in nature, and are typically offered by governments as part of an environmental program. Some incentives are linked to: management plans, placing covenants on land, conservation agreements, or to other permanent protection tools such as formal reservation.
Natural environment
Includes animals, plants, land and sea.
Natural resources
Natural resources are naturally occurring substances or materials such as air, land, water, natural gas, coal, oil, petroleum, minerals, wood, topsoil, fauna, flora, forests and wildlife.
Nature conservation activities
Activities that protect and maintain Australia's natural environment.
Nature conservation organisation
An organisation whose objectives or activities are designed to contribute to the conservation or protection of the natural environment through, for example, the conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems, species and/or genetic diversity. This is to be contrasted with organisations whose principal focus is the welfare of animals.
Participation in natural environment related activities
Includes visiting a national park, botanic garden, wildlife park or zoo, aquarium, marine park or reef, going on a nature or bush walk, nature watching, camping or going on a nature holiday, farming activities, voluntary work, self-education and formal learning where there is contact with nature. Excludes sporting activities that are not nature based (e.g. surfing, skiing).
Regular shopping
The definition of 'regular shopping' was left to the respondent's interpretation.
Support for local environment
Supporting a local cause e.g. saving local plants, creeks or parks.
Unpaid or voluntary work to conserve nature
Includes distributing environmentally based election or other pamphlets, voluntary work on private or public land, work for overseas environmental groups or organisations, and voluntary research, education or media work. Excludes work for charities or organisations to help non-native animals.
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