The meaning of nature: clarification for strengthened protection and management

Sophie Justice, Roger Crofts, John E. Gordon, Murray Gray

Research output: Book/ReportOther report

Abstract

“Nature” is a widely used but rarely defined term amongst scientists, policy makers, business leaders and the public. It is at the heart of many important international frameworks and conventions that, in turn, shape national policy and regulation towards the natural environment. Not only is nature often freely used interchangeably with the term “biodiversity”, but the abiotic component is also often poorly understood and frequently overlooked.

In a world facing widespread ecosystem degradation, shifting baseline syndrome and unsustainable resource use, overlaid by a changing climate and rising sea levels, stakeholders share a common interest in ensuring that environmental initiatives apply to the whole of nature. The current situation of focusing on the biotic component without consideration of the all-important abiotic features and functions, such as the soil and water and the resulting dynamism and productivity of natural systems, is no longer tenable. The key resources required by biotic systems come directly from abiotic features and processes. Pursuit of aligned biotic and abiotic management and protection, informed by systems thinking and wider temporal insights, can promote stronger ecosystems, building a robust and evolving platform on which all facets of nature can fully function and thrive. As a result, more effective management and protection of the whole of the natural environment will result, alongside a just and sustainable future, in which humans are an integral player. It is therefore recommended that the IUCN definition of nature, as used in the 2024 draft IUCN 20-year Strategic Vision to 2045 (IUCN, 2024), is broadened and strengthened such that nature is defined as “encompassing both the non-living components (i.e. geodiversity) and the living components (i.e. biodiversity) of the natural world”. Additionally, it is recommended that the long-standing IUCN definition of nature should be amended to read as follows: “nature refers to biodiversity at genetic, species and ecosystem level, to all the dynamic processes and features of geodiversity, and to all their interactions”.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationGland, Switzerland
PublisherInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Number of pages30
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2025

Publication series

NameIUCN WCPA Issues Paper Series
No.5

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The meaning of nature: clarification for strengthened protection and management'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this