The World’s Forests – Vol. 11 No. 1

• average

  (av (ǝ) rij): A value that is computed by dividing the sum of a set of terms by the number of terms.

• axis

  (ak səs): A straight line about which a body or geometric figure rotates.

• biological diversity

  A measure of the differences between the types and numbers of living things in a natural area.

• classify

  (kla sǝ fī): To arrange in a group, set, or kind that shares common attributes.

• climate

  (klī mǝt): The average weather conditions of a particular place or region over a period of years.

• conservation

  (kän(t) sər vā shən): A careful preservation and protection of something, especially planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect.

• conserve

  (kǝn sǝrv): To avoid wasteful or destructive use of something.

• correspondent

  (kȯr ə  spän dənt): In the World’s Forests editions, a representative from each country who gathered and sent information to FAO.

• criteria

  (krī tir ē ə): (singular: criterion) A standard on which a judgment or decision may be based.

• distort

  (di stȯrt): To twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition.

• diversity

  (dǝ vǝr si tē): The condition of having or being composed of differing elements; variety.

• ecological

  (ē kə lä ji kəl): Of or relating to the environments of living things or to the relationships between living things and their environments.

• ecosystem

  (ē kō sis tǝm): A system made up of an ecological community of living things interacting with their environment especially under natural conditions.

• environmental services

  The collection of environmental processes that provide benefit to life on Earth.

• equator

  (i kwā tər): An imaginary circle around the middle of Earth at an equal distance from the North Pole and the South Pole.

• erode

  (i rōd): To wear away by the action of water, wind, or glacial ice.

• fodder

  Coarse food for cattle, horses, or sheep, etc., like straw or hay.

• fossil fuel

  (fä sǝl fyü(ǝ)l): A fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the Earth from plant or animal remains.

• habitat

  (ha bә tat): The place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows.

• indicator

  (in dǝ kā tǝr): Something that acts as a sign, symptom, or index of.

• latitude

  (la tǝ tüd): Distance north or south from the equator measured in degrees.

• medicinal

  (mə dis nəl or mə di sə nəl): Tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain.

• modernize

  (mä dər nīz): To make or become modern, especially to change to suit present styles, tastes, or needs.

• native

  (nā tiv): Living or growing naturally in a particular region.

• Northern Hemisphere

  (nȯr thərn he mə sfir): The half of the Earth that lies north of the equator.

• social service

  A process or service, usually sponsored by a government, that benefits humans.

• socioeconomic

  Of, relating to, or involving a combination of social and economic factors.

• species

  (spē sēz or spē shēz): A category of living things that ranks below a genus, is made up of related individuals able to produce fertile offspring, and is identified by a two-part scientific name.

• sustainable

  (sǝ stā nǝ bǝl): Of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not used up or permanently damaged.

• transition

  (tran zi shən): A changing from one state, stage, place, or subject to another.

• unit of measurement

  A standardized quantity of a physical property, such as inches, meters, kilograms, etc.

Additional Resources