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ECOSYSTEM :
This is a functional unit of the biosphere, with a certain stability.
It consists of a living part, the biocenos, formed by plants and animals,
and its physicochemical environment, the biotope. This concept takes into
account the perpetual interaction between the species themselves and their
living environment. It can be considered at several levels: macro-ecosystem
for the ocean, for instance, micro-ecosystem for a tree root, etc.
• DURABLE OR "SUSTAINABLE" DEVELOPMENT :
This is the concept by which present-day humanity must not compromise
the existence of its descendants ("future generations"). It
therefore implies reasoned management of resources, with a ban on over-exploitation.
Its aim is to leave the Planet to our descendants in a state which is
as good, or better, than it is at present.
Definition of the RIO "Earth summit" in 1992: "Development which corresponds to the needs of present generations, without compromising the capacity of future generations to respond to their own needs"
• BIODIVERSITY :
the living world contains a very great diversity of animals and plants.
This biodiversity is clear both in the countryside, the biosphere (variety
of ecosystems), ecosystems (great variety of different species) and in
individuals themselves (genetic variability within the same species).
It represents 5 to 30 million species, of which only 10% have been identified...
The definition given during the Rio Earth summit in 1992: "the variability
of living organisms of all origins including, amongst others, terrestrial
and marine ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes
to which they belong."
• LAND :
In sociological terms, this represents a region with all its related tastes,
customs and traditions. In farming, this corresponds to a sector which,
due to the nature of the soil, exposure and humidity, allows production
with particular characteristics.
• HERITAGE :
This is a very general term, which corresponds to anything we can consider
as the common property of a group of human beings or of the whole of humanity.
This concept includes the idea of property which can be passed on, and
is therefore of value, giving rise to the necessity for protection and
conservation. It applies to property from any source: natural environment,
history, art, culture, etc.
• BIOSPHERE :
this is all terrestrial ecosystems, i.e. the part of the Earth on which
Life itself is maintained. It basically consists of the terrestrial environment
and the aquatic environment, together with part of the atmosphere. It
can be situated between an altitude of 10 km and the ocean trenches. It
consists of all living species, together with their derived substances
(coal, etc.).
