Statistical Terms Glossary

Banking operations conducted using the internet.

Is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners.

See European Central Bank

A collective term encompassing the vast and interacting complex of ecosystems, agricultural lands, pastures, fisheries, labour, infrastructure, technology, policies, culture, traditions, and institutions (including markets) that are variously involved in growing, processing, distributing and consuming food.

Eco-development refers to development at regional and local levels, consistent with the potentials of the area involved, with attention given to the adequate and rational use of natural resources, technological styles and organizational forms that respect the natural ecosystems and local social and cultural patterns.
The term is also used to describe an integrated approach to environment and development

See Environmentally adjusted net domestic product

Eco-efficiency profiles combine economic contribution and environmental burden by industry. The economic contribution is represented, for example, by the percent each industry contributes to GDP or employment. The environmental burden is represented by the percent each industry contributes to the emission of various residuals, or the use of materials and energy.

The ecolabelling scheme uses an independent accreditation body (AB) to carry out accreditation of certification bodies responsible for conducting conformity assessments with the standard and for chain of custody requirements.

Ecolabels indicate multiple environmental parameters – such as noise, water use, and energy use – associated with the manufacture, use and disposal of products.

Ecological amplitude are the limits of environmental conditions within which an organism can live and function

Economic and social systems are sub-systems of the global environment; sustainability in the economic and social spheres is subordinate to sustainability of the environment. Development, from the ecological viewpoint, is seen to refer to the “capacity of [an ecosystem] to respond positively to change and opportunity” or the “maintenance of [ecosystems’] dynamic capacity to respond adaptively” (Golley, 1990). The key property to be sustained then is the capacity of ecosystems to respond with resilience to external perturbations and changes.

The ecological balance is the equilibrium between, and harmonious coexistence of, organisms and their environment

Ecological dominance refers to the exertion of a major controlling influence of one or more species upon all other species by virtue of their number, size, productivity or related activities

See Ecological balance

Ecological ethics are moral principles governing the human attitude towards the environment, and rules of conduct for environmental care and preservation

An ecological footprint is the land (and water) area of the planet or particular area required for the support either of humankind’s current lifestyle or the consumption pattern of a particular population. It is the inverse of the carrying capacity of a territory

Ecological impact is the effect of human activities and natural events on living organisms and their non—living environment

The set of habitat resources (food, cover types, water etc.) used by a species, as determined by its geographic and ecological range and its adaptations. The role or "job" of a species in its environment. The wolf fills the niche of top predator in the ecosystem. Its job is to keep prey populations healthy by killing the weak and the sick prey animals. Because wolves are opportunistic hunters, they do prey on the young also. Hunting is a tough job, and finding a meal is critical, especially when the pups are waiting to be fed.

Relates to the organic form of production, i.e. without the use of chemical products and pesticides, and to biological and organic products.

Ecological statistics refers to the application of statistical methods to the description and monitoring of ecosystems. Such monitoring may require modelling (beyond statistical measurement) which is the subject of the related domain of statistical ecology

A dynamic concept that recognises the need to integrate short and long-term economic, social and environmental aspects into the management of all activities. ESD therefore represents a fundamental shift in public policy because it affects all government departments and agencies to some degree.

Ecology is the totality or pattern of relationships between organisms and their environment

A voluntary initiative established by the European Commission and intended to improve companies’ environmental performance. Its aim is to recognise and reward those organisations that go beyond minimum legal compliance and continuously improve their environmental performance.