Natural ecosystems (habitats)
Definition
Areas composed of viable assemblages of plant and/or animal species of largely native origin and/or where human activity had not essentially modified an area's primary ecological functions and species composition.
International Finance Corporation (IFC) 2012 1
Note: The term ‘natural habitats’ is used, and defined, broadly across conservation science, policy, legislation and the performance standards of multilateral development banks.
Other Definitions
- European Investment Bank 2
Natural habitats retain ecological assemblages, functions and species composition that are attributable to natural evolutionary processes and have not been substantially modified by human activities. Truly natural and unaltered habitats are increasingly rare and those that remain are likely to be a high priority for conservation.