Environmental Degradation

Forest disturbance is the damage caused by any factor (biotic or abiotic) that adversely affects the vigour and productivity of the forest, and which is not a direct result of human activities. It includes disturbance by insect pests, diseases, severe weather events and fires (FAO, 2018; 2020). 

Any unplanned and uncontrolled vegetation fire that, regardless of ignition source, may negatively affect social, economic or environmental values, and require suppression response or other action according to agency policy (FAO, 2024).

Desertification refers to land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities (UNCCD, 2017). 

Black carbon refers to the substance formed through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels and biomass, which is emitted in both anthropogenic and naturally occurring soot. It consists of pure carbon in several linked forms. Black carbon warms the Earth by absorbing heat in the atmosphere and by reducing albedo – the ability to reflect sunlight – when deposited on snow and ice. It is operationally defined as an aerosol species based on measurement of light absorption and chemical reactivity and/or thermal stability (UNEP, 2019).

Mangroves are distinctive tropical and sub-tropical, woody plants that grow at the interface/intertidal zone between land and sea, where they exist in conditions of high salinity, extreme tides, strong winds, high temperatures and muddy, anaerobic soils (Kathiresan and Bingham, 2001). The destruction of mangrove habitat is caused by both human and natural causes. Humans have cleared mangrove forests to expand farmlands, aquaculture ponds or urban areas. Natural stressors, such as sediment erosion, extreme storm surges or drought have also resulted in mangrove habitat loss.

Ocean acidification refers to a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period, caused primarily by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It can also result from other chemical additions to or subtractions from the ocean (IPCC, 2011). 

Household air pollution is pollution primarily resulting from the incomplete combustion of solid fuels (e.g. wood, dung, charcoal, coal, kerosene), resulting in the emission of potentially toxic pollutants, including particles of varying sizes, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (e.g. formaldehyde and benzo[a]pyrene), methylene chloride and dioxins. It is one of the leading environmental risk factors for disease and premature death and is generated by the use of inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies in and around homes.

Wetland loss/degradation is a negative trend in wetland condition, caused by physical or direct/indirect human-induced processes, expressed as a long-term reduction or loss of at least one of the following: biological productivity, ecological role or value to humans (Olsson et al., 2019).

Seawater intrusion is the process by which saltwater infiltrates a coastal aquifer, leading to contamination of fresh groundwater (Prince Edward Island Department of Environment, Labour and Justice, 2011). 

A point source of air pollution is an identifiable stationary location or fixed facility from which air pollutants are released, which may be human-made or natural in origin (adapted from Kibble and Harrison, 2005; Dunne et al., 2014).