CITES: CITES Terminology

CITES Glossary

A

Amendment proposal

A proposal to include a species in Appendix I or II, delete it from the Appendices or transfer it from one Appendix to the other.

Such a proposal may be put forward only by a Party to the Convention and has to be made in accordance with Article XV of the Convention.

Amendments to Appendix III are the result of unilateral decisions by Parties and do not need to go through a process of submission and voting.

See also: Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), especially Annex 6

Fr.: proposition d'amendement / Sp.: propuesta de enmienda

Animals Committee (AC)

A committee of experts established by the Conference of the Parties, responsible for providing scientific and technical advice in relation to species of animals that are, or might become, subject to the provisions of CITES.

Fr.: Comité pour les animaux / Sp.: Comité de Fauna

Annotation

A note attached to certain species in the Appendices to indicate which population, parts or derivatives are concerned by the listing or clarifying its scope, or containing special conditions relating to the inclusion of the species. The note may be a code that refers to the introductory interpretation of the Appendices.

See also: Resolution Conf. 11.21 (Rev. CoP14)

Fr.: annotation / Sp.: anotación

Annual report

A report submitted to the Secretariat by each Party every year on its implementation of the Convention and containing a summary of the following information: the number and type of permits and certificates granted to authorize trade in CITES specimens; the States with which such trade occurred; the numbers or quantities and types of specimens, names of species as included in Appendices I, II and III and, where applicable, the size and sex of the specimens in question.

The submission of annual reports is an obligation for Parties under Article VIII, paragraph 7 (a), of the Convention. They should be submitted by 31 October of each year following the year to which the report refers. The data received are stored in a computer database by UNEP-WCMC. Annual reports should be submitted in a standard format, which is contained in the Guidelines for the preparation and submission of CITES annual reports.

In accordance with Article XII, paragraph 2 (g), of the Convention, the CITES Secretariat also prepares annual reports on its work and on the implementation of the Convention. These reports can be accessed here.

[Definition adapted from Article VIII, paragraphs 6 (b) and 7]

Fr.: rapport annuel / Sp.: informe anual

Appendix (I, II, III and IV)

One of the Annexes to the text of the Convention.

Annexes I, II and III list the species covered by the Convention and may be amended pursuant to Articles XV (Appendices I and II) and XVI (Appendix III).
1. Appendix I includes all species threatened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade. Trade in specimens of these species must be subject to particularly strict regulation in order not to endanger further their survival and must only be authorized in exceptional circumstances.
2. Appendix II includes:
  1. all species which although not necessarily now threatened with extinction may become so unless trade in specimens of these species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival; and
  2. other species which must be subject to regulation in order that trade in specimens of certain species referred to in subparagraph i) above may be brought under effective control [e.g. species that are similar in appearance to those included in Appendix II].
3. Appendix III includes all species which any Party identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation, and as needing the cooperation of other Parties in the control of trade.
The Parties may not allow trade in specimens of species included in Appendices I, II and III except in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.
Appendix IV contains the information to be included in a CITES permit or certificate. The Conference of the Parties has adopted a standard CITES permit/certificate model in Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP15) on Permits and certificates.

(Definition from Article II)

Fr.: Annexe (I, II, III et IV) / Sp.: Apéndice (I, II, III y IV)

Appropriate and acceptable destination

The destination of a living specimen, where the Scientific Authority of the State of import is satisfied that the proposed recipient is suitably equipped to house and care for it.

This term appears in an annotation to the listing in Appendix II of the Convention of the populations of the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) of South Africa and Swaziland, and of the populations of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) of Botswana and Zimbabwe. The term "appropriate and acceptable aquaria" is similarly used in relation to the freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon).

Fr.: destinataire approprié et acceptable / Sp.: destinatario apropiado y aceptable

Area of distribution

The area contained within the shortest continuous imaginary boundary which can be drawn to encompass all the known, inferred or projected sites of occurrence of a species, excluding cases of vagrancy and introductions outside its natural range.

The area within the imaginary boundary should, however, exclude significant areas where the species does not occur, and so, in defining an area of distribution, account should be taken of discontinuities or disjunctions in the spatial distribution of species. This encompasses the concept of area of occupancy. For migratory species, the area of distribution is the smallest area essential at any stage for the survival of that species (e.g. colonial nesting sites, feeding sites for migratory taxa, etc.).

The determination that a species has a restricted area of distribution is taxon-specific and should take into account considerations such as habitat specificity, population density and endemism.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 5]

Fr.: aire de répartition / Sp.: area de distribución

Artificially propagated

Characteristic of plant specimens:

grown under controlled conditions; and
grown from seeds, cuttings, divisions, callus tissues or other plant tissues, spores or other propagules that either are exempt from the provisions of the Convention or have been derived from cultivated parental stock.

See also: Resolutions Conf. 9.19 (Rev. CoP13) and Conf. 10.13 (Rev. CoP14); bred in captivity

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 11.11 (Rev. CoP14)]

Fr.: reproduit artificiellement / Sp.: reproducido artificialmente

B

Biennial report

A report submitted to the Secretariat by each Party every two years on the legislative, regulatory and administrative measures taken to enforce the provisions of the Convention.

Biennial reports provide an opportunity for Parties to share information regarding their overall implementation of the Convention, including their progress in the development and application of laws and regulations, administrative procedures, economic and social incentives and wildlife trade policies. Such reports may contain summaries of national compliance and enforcement efforts (e.g. awareness-raising, training, monitoring, inspections, investigations, seizures, confiscations, prosecutions, convictions, penalties, court decisions, etc.). Biennial reports should be submitted in a standard format, which is contained in Notification to the Parties No. 2005/035.

The submision of biennial reports is an obligation for Parties under Article VIII, paragraph 7 (b), of the Convention.

(Definition adapted from Article VIII, paragraph 7)

Fr.: rapport bisannuel / Sp.: informe bienal

Bred in captivity

Characteristic of animal specimens, as defined in Article I, paragraph (b), of the Convention, born or otherwise produced in a controlled environment, and applied only if:

i) the parents mated or gametes were otherwise transferred in a controlled environment, if reproduction is sexual, or the parents were in a controlled environment when development of the offspring began, if reproduction is asexual; and

ii) the breeding stock, to the satisfaction of the competent government authorities of the exporting country:

A. was established in accordance with the provisions of CITES and relevant national laws and in a manner not detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild;

B. is maintained without the introduction of specimens from the wild, except for the occasional addition of animals, eggs or gametes, in accordance with the provisions of CITES and relevant national laws and in a manner not detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild as advised by the Scientific Authority:

1. to prevent or alleviate deleterious inbreeding, with the magnitude of such addition determined by the need for new genetic material;

2. to dispose of confiscated animals in accordance with Resolution Conf. 10.7; or

3. exceptionally, for use as breeding stock; and

C.

1. has produced offspring of second generation (F2) or subsequent generation (F3, F4, etc.) in a controlled environment; or

2. is managed in a manner that has been demonstrated to be capable of reliably producing second-generation offspring in a controlled environment.

This definition applies to the specimens bred in captivity of species included in Appendix I, II or III, whether or not they were bred for commercial purposes.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 10.16 (Rev.)]

Fr.: élevé en captivité / Sp.: criado en cautividad

Breeding stock

The ensemble of the animals used for reproduction in a captive-breeding operation.

C

Caviar

The processed unfertilized eggs (roe) of Acipenseriformes species.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 12.7 (Rev. CoP14), Annex 1]

Fr.: caviar / Sp.: caviar

Caviar labelling

See Resolution Conf. 12.7 (Rev. CoP14), Annexes 1 and 2

Fr.: étiquetage du caviar / Sp.: etiquetado del caviar

Certificate

An official document issued by a Management Authority of a Party and used to authorize different types of trade in CITES specimens. The most important are the re-export certificate, certificate of origin, pre-Convention certificate, and certificate of captive-breeding or artificial propagation.

Fr.: certificat / Sp.: certificado

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

An international agreement concluded between States, the aim of which is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

The text of the Convention was agreed at a meeting of representatives of 80 countries in Washington DC., United States of America, on 3 March 1973. CITES entered into force on 1 July 1975. It is legally binding on the Parties – in other words they have to implement the Convention – but does not take the place of national laws. Rather it provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level.

D

Dead coral

Any pieces of coral that are dead when exported, but that may have been alive when collected, and in which the structure of corallites (the skeleton of the individual polyp) is still intact; specimens are therefore identifiable to the level of species or genus

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 11.10 (Rev. CoP15), Annex]

Fr.: corail mort / Sp.: coral muerto

Decision

An agreement between the Parties typically containing instructions to a specific committee, Parties or the Secretariat.

Decisions are typically intended to remain in effect for a short period only, usually until a particular task has been completed. Many Decisions require a report to be submitted at the meeting of the Conference of the Parties following that at which they were adopted, and so would remain in effect from one meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the next. The list of Decisions is therefore revised by the Secretariat after each such meeting, in accordance with Resolution Conf. 4.6 (Rev. CoP13), second DIRECTS, paragraph b), at which time it deletes the Decisions that are out of date.

Fr.: décision / Sp.: decisión

Decline

A reduction in the abundance, or area of distribution, or area of habitat of a species.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 5]

Fr.: déclin / Sp.: disminución

Derivative

Any processed part of an animal or plant (e.g. medicine, perfume, watch strap) or body fluids (e.g. blood).

Derivatives are usually not readily identifiable.

Fr.: produit / Sp.: derivado

Dialogue meeting

A consultative meeting organized between range States of a certain species or group of species, with the aim of seeking consensus in relation to a proposal submitted for amendment of the CITES Appendices when there are strong divisions between those States.

So far, there have been dialogue meetings only for range States of the African elephant and the hawksbill turtle. Parties that have donated funds towards the organization of those meetings may also attend them, if agreed by the range States. The Rules of Procedure of dialogue meetings are provided in the Annex to Resolution Conf. 14.5.

(Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 14.5)

Fr.: réunion de Dialogue / Sp.: reunión de diálogo

Domestic trade

Any commercial activity, including, but not limited to, sale and purchase, within the territory under the jurisdiction of a Party

Fr.: commerce intérieur / Sp.: comercio interno

E

ETIS (Elephant Trade Information System)

A database used to compile law enforcement data on seizures and confiscations of elephant specimens.

F

First-generation offspring (F1)

The progeny produced in a controlled environment from parents at least one of which was conceived in or taken from the wild.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 10.16 (Rev.)]

Fr.: Descendance de première génération (F1) / Sp.: progenie de primera generación (F1)

Fluctuation

Wide, rapid and frequent variation of the population size or area of distribution in a number of species, with a variation greater than one order of magnitude.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 5]

Fr.: fluctuation / Sp.: fluctuación

Fragmentation

A case where most individuals within a taxon are found in small and relatively isolated sub-populations, which increases the probability that these small sub-populations will become extinct and the opportunities for re-establishment are limited.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 5]

Fr.: fragmentation / Sp.: fragmentación

G

Generation length

The average age of parents of the current cohort (i.e. newborn individuals in the population).

Generation length therefore reflects the turnover rate of breeding individuals in a population. Generation length is greater than the age at first breeding and less than the age of the oldest breeding individual, except in taxa that breed only once. Where generation length varies under threat, the more natural (i.e. pre-disturbance) generation length should be used.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 5]

Fr.: durée d'une génération / Sp.: duración de la generación

H

Hybrid

An animal or plant that is produced as the result of cross-breeding between two different species.

See Resolutions Conf. 10.17 (Rev. CoP14) and Conf. 11.11 (Rev. CoP14)

Fr.: hybride / Sp.: híbrido

I

Identification Manual

A manual including description sheets of specimens of animal and plant species included in the CITES Appendices.

L

Listing

The inclusion of a species in Appendix I, II or III of CITES.

The terms 'downlisting' and 'uplisting' are sometimes used. They mean the transfer of a species from Appendix I to II and from Appendix II to I, respectively, whilst the complete removal of a species from the Appendices is referred to as a "deletion from the Appendices".

Fr.: Inscription / Sp.: Inclusión en los Apéndices

Live coral

Any pieces of live coral transported in water and that are identifiable to the level of species or genus.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 11.10 (Rev. CoP15), Annex]

Fr.: corail vivant / Sp.: coral vivo

Log

All wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, for processing, notably into sawn wood, pulpwood or veneer sheets (HS code 44.03).

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 10.13 (Rev. CoP14)]

Fr.: grume / Sp.: troza

Lot identification number

A number that corresponds to information related to the caviar tracking system used by the processing or repackaging plant.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 12.7 (Rev. CoP14), Annex 1]

Fr.: numéro d'identification du lot / Sp.: número de identificación de lote

M

Management Authority (MA)

A national management body designated in accordance with Article IX of the Convention.

The Management Authority is responsible for implementing the Convention in its country. In particular it is the only body competent to grant import and export permits and re-export certificates on behalf of that Party. Even though a Party may designate more than one Management Authority, one must be designated as the Management Authority responsible for communication with other Parties and the Secretariat.

The list and contact details of all Management Authorities can be accessed here.

[Definition adapted from Articles I (g), and IX 1.(a) and 2]

Fr.: organe de gestion / Sp.: Autoridad Administrativa

Marine environment not under the jurisdiction of any State

Marine areas beyond the areas subject to the sovereignty or sovereign rights of a State consistent with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

N

Non-detriment finding

A conclusion by a Scientific Authority that the export of specimens of a particular species will not impact negatively on the survival of that species in the wild.

The non-detriment finding by a Scientific Authority is required before an export or import permit or a certificate for an introduction from the sea may be granted for a specimen of an Appendix-I species, and before an export permit or a certificate for an introduction from the sea may be granted for a specimen of an Appendix-II species.

Fr.: avis de commerce non préjudiciable / Sp.: dictamen sobre las extracciones no perjudiciales del medio silvestre

Non-reusable label

Any label or mark that cannot be removed undamaged or transferred to another container, which may seal the container.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 12.7 (Rev. CoP14), Annex 1]

Fr.: étiquette inamovible / Sp.: etiqueta no reutilizable

P

Parental stock (cultivated ~)

The ensemble of plants grown under controlled conditions that are used for reproduction, and which must have been, to the satisfaction of the designated CITES authorities of the exporting country:

established in accordance with the provisions of CITES and relevant national laws and in a manner not detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild; and
maintained in sufficient quantities for propagation so as to minimize or eliminate the need for augmentation from the wild, with such augmentation occurring only as an exception and limited to the amount necessary to maintain the vigour and productivity of the cultivated parental stock.

Q

Quota

See Resolutions Conf. 9.21 (Rev. CoP13) on The interpretation and application of quotas for species included in Appendix I; Conf. 10.14 (Rev. CoP14) on Quotas for leopard hunting trophies and skins for personal use; Conf. 10.15 (Rev. CoP14) on Establishment of quotas for markhor hunting trophies; Conf. 13.5 (Rev. CoP14) on Establishment of export quotas for black rhinoceros hunting trophies;

Fr.: quota / Sp.: cupo

R

Ranching

Rearing in a controlled environment of specimens taken from the wild.

In the context of CITES, this term is used mainly in relation to populations of Appendix-I species of animals that are no longer endangered and that are transferred to Appendix II in accordance with Resolution Conf. 11.16 (Rev. CoP14), so that they may benefit from this form of management. In order to achieve adequate controls of trade in ranched specimens, parts and derivatives thereof are identified through a uniform marking system approved by the Conference of the Parties. This system may differ from species to species. Ranched species currently include only crocodilians, primarily ranched for their skins.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 11.16 (Rev. CoP14)]

Fr.: élevage en ranch / Sp.: cría en granjas

Range State

A State whose territory is within the natural range of distribution of a species.

Fr.: Etat de l'aire de répartition / Sp.: Estado del área de distribución

Raw ivory

All whole elephant tusks, polished or unpolished and in any form whatsoever, and all elephant ivory in cut pieces, polished or unpolished and howsoever changed from its original form, except for 'worked ivory'.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP14)]

Fr.: ivoire brut / Sp.: marfil no trabajado

Readily recognizable

Characteristic of a specimen that appears from an accompanying document, the packaging or a mark or label, or from any other circumstances, to be a part or derivative of an animal or plant of a species included in the Appendices, unless such part or derivative is specifically exempted from the provisions of the Convention.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 9.6 (Rev.)]

Fr.: facilement identifiable / Sp.: fácilmente identificable

Re-export

The export of any specimen that has previously been imported.

(Definition from Article I)

Fr.: réexportation / Sp.: reexportación

Register

A list maintained by the Secretariat of:

S

Sawn wood

Any wood simply sawn lengthwise or produced by a profile-chipping process. Sawn wood normally exceeds 6 mm in thickness (HS code 44.06, HS code 44.07); and

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 10.13 (Rev. CoP14)]

Fr.: bois scié / Sp.: madera aserrada

Scientific Authority (SA)

A national scientific advisory body designated in accordance with Article IX of the Convention.

A Scientific Authority is responsible for providing technical and scientific advice to its Management Authority, in particular as to whether the export or introduction from the sea of a specimen will be detrimental to the survival in the wild of the species involved. A Party may designate more than one Scientific Authority.

The list and contact details of all Scientific Authorities can be accessed here. The regional directories prepared by the Plants Committee containing the contact details of specialists on plant issues in each Party can also be accessed here.

See also: The CITES Species.

[Definition from Article I (a)]

Fr.: espèce / Sp.: especie

Species of least concern

Species for which the available information appears to indicate that the provisions of Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a), are being met.

This phrase is used in the context of the Review of Significant Trade.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP13)]

Fr.: espèce moins préoccupante / Sp.: especie de menor preocupación

Species of possible concern

Species for which it is not clear whether the provisions of Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a), are being implemented.

This phrase is used in the context of the Review of Significant Trade.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP13)]

Fr.: espèce peut-être préoccupante / Sp.: especie de posible preocupación

Species of urgent concern

Species for which the available information indicates that the provisions of Article IV, paragraph 2 (a), 3 or 6 (a), are not being implemented.

This phrase is used in the context of the Review of Significant Trade.

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 12.8 (Rev. CoP13)]

Fr.: espèce dont il faut se préoccuper en urgence / Sp.: especie de urgente preocupación

Specimen

Any animal or plant, whether alive or dead;

In the case of an animal: for species included in Appendices I and II, any readily recognizable part or derivative thereof; and for species included in Appendix III, any readily recognizable part or derivative thereof specified in Appendix III in relation to the species; and

In the case of a plant: for species included in Appendix I, any readily recognizable part or derivative thereof; and for species included in Appendices II and III, any readily recognizable part or derivative thereof specified in Appendices II and III in relation to the species;

[Definition from Article I (b)]

Fr.: spécimen / Sp.: espécimen

Split-listing

The inclusion of one or more subspecies or populations of a species in one Appendix while other subspecies or populations are included in another Appendix or are not included.

In case of split-listing, annotations in the Appendices indicate which subspecies or population is included in each Appendix.

See also: Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 3

Fr.: inscription scindée / Sp.: inclusión dividida

Standard nomenclature

The scientific names adopted by the Conference of the Parties for CITES-listed species.

The adopted names are the ones that should be used inter alia on permits and certificates.

The Conference of the Parties has adopted the taxonomic and nomenclatural references listed in the Annex to Resolution Conf. 12.11 (Rev. CoP15) as the official standard references for species included in the Appendices.

The Conference has also recognized the Checklist of CITES species, compiled by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 2005, and its updates, as an official digest of scientific names contained in the standard references, that fully reflects the taxonomy and nomenclature contained in the original species proposals, the recommendations of the Animals or Plants Committee and all accepted names included in the standard references that have been adopted by the Conference of the Parties for species included in the Appendices.

The Checklist of CITES species can be downloaded in PDF format from the reference section of this course.

See also: Resolution Conf. 12.11 (Rev. CoP14); CITES species database

Fr.: nomenclature normalisée / Sp.: nomenclature normalizada

Standing Committee (SC)

A committee established by the Conference of the Parties, which performs a variety of functions within the policy agreed to by the Conference. It is responsible for providing policy guidance to the Secretariat concerning the implementation of the Convention and for overseeing the management of the Secretariat's budget. It coordinates and oversees, where required, the work of other committees and working groups; carries out tasks given to it by the Conference of the Parties and drafts resolutions for consideration by the Conference.

See also: The structure of CITES / Standing Committee; Resolution Conf. 11.1 (Rev. CoP14); Standing Committee

Fr.: Comité permanent / Sp.: Comité Permanente

Stricter domestic measures

Unilateral measures taken by a Party implementing conditions for trade that go beyond what is required by the Convention.

Article XIV, paragraph 1, of the Convention states that the provisions of CITES shall in no way affect the right of Parties to adopt:

stricter domestic measures regarding the conditions for trade, taking, possession or transport of specimens of species included in Appendices I, II and III, or the complete prohibition thereof; or

domestic measures restricting or prohibiting trade, taking, possession or transport of species not included in Appendix I, II or III.

Fr.: mesures internes plus strictes / Sp.: medidas internas más estrictas

Subpopulation

A geographically or otherwise distinct group which has little exchange with other groups in the population.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 5]

Fr.: sous-population / Sp.: subpoblación

Sustainable use

The use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.

See also: Resolution Conf. 13.2 (Rev. CoP14)

(Definition from Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity)

Fr.: utilisation durable / Sp.: utilización sostenible

T

Threatened with extinction

Characteristic of a species that meets, or is likely to meet, at least one of the following criteria:

The wild population is small, and is characterized by at least one of the following:

an observed, inferred or projected decline in the number of individuals or the area and quality of habitat; or

each subpopulation being very small; or

a majority of individuals being concentrated geographically during one or more life-history phases; or

large short-term fluctuations in population size; or

a high vulnerability to either intrinsic or extrinsic factors.

The wild population has a restricted area of distribution and is characterized by at least one of the following:

fragmentation or occurrence at very few locations; or

large fluctuations in the area of distribution or the number of subpopulations; or

a high vulnerability to either intrinsic or extrinsic factors; or

an observed, inferred or projected decrease in any one of the following:

the area of distribution; or

the area of habitat; or

the number of subpopulations; or

the number of individuals; or

the quality of habitat; or

the recruitment.

A marked decline in the population size in the wild, which has been either:

observed as ongoing or as having occurred in the past (but with a potential to resume); or

inferred or projected on the basis of any one of the following:

a decrease in area of habitat; or

a decrease in quality of habitat; or

levels or patterns of exploitation; or

a high vulnerability to either intrinsic or extrinsic factors; or

a decreasing recruitment.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annexes 1 and 5]

Fr.: menacée d'extinction / Sp.: amenazada de extinción

Tourist souvenir

See 'Personal effect / Household effect'.

Fr.: souvenir pour touriste / Sp.: recuerdo para turistas

Trade

Any export, re-export, import and introduction from the sea.

(Definition from Article I)

Fr.: commerce / Sp.: comercio

Traditional medicine

The medicinal preparations, often based on centuries-old traditions, that contain derivatives from plants or animals that have proven or reputed medicinal properties.

The science or practice of restoring and preserving health based on such preparations.

Fr.: remède traditionnel; médecine traditionnelle / Sp.: medicina tradicional

Transhipment

Transfer of a specimen from one carrier or form of transport to another.

The Conference of the Parties recommends in Resolution Conf. 9.7 (Rev. CoP13) that, for the purpose of Article VII, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the phrase ‘transit or transhipment of specimens' be interpreted to refer only to:

specimens that remain in Customs control and are in the process of shipment to a named consignee when any interruption in the movement arises only from the arrangements necessitated by this form of traffic.

The cross-border movements of sample collections of specimens that comply with the provisions of section XV of Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP15) and are accompanied by an ATA carnet.

See also: transit

Fr.: transbordement / Sp.: transbordo

Transit

Passage of a specimen across or through a country that is neither its country of origin nor its country of destination.

The Conference of the Parties recommends in Resolution Conf. 9.7 (Rev. CoP13) that, for the purpose of Article VII, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the phrase ‘transit or transhipment of specimens' be interpreted to refer only to:

specimens that remain in Customs control and are in the process of shipment to a named consignee when any interruption in the movement arises only from the arrangements necessitated by this form of traffic.

The cross-border movements of sample collections of specimens that comply with the provisions of section XV of Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP15) and are accompanied by an ATA carnet.

See also: transhipment

Fr.: transit / Sp.: tránsito

U

Uniform marking system

A system of marking each product approved by the Conference of the Parties for a species, which, as a minimum, includes the International Organization for Standardization two-letter code for the country of origin, a unique identification number and the year of production or, for products in stock or manufactured from products of the operation in stock at the time of the proposal, the year of approval of the proposal.

Marking systems may differ from species to species.

See also Resolutions Conf. 8.13 (Rev.) [coded-microchip implants for live animals]; Conf. 11.12 [crocodilian skins]; Conf. 12.7 (Rev. CoP14), Annexes 1 and 2 [caviar]

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 11.16 (Rev. CoP14)]

Fr.: méthode de marquage uniforme / Sp.: sistema de marcado uniforme

V

Veneer sheet

A thin layer or sheet of wood of uniform thickness, usually 6 mm or less, usually peeled or sliced, for use in making plywood, for veneering furniture, veneer containers, etc. (HS code 44.08);

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 10.13 (Rev. CoP14)]

Fr.: placage / Sp.: lámina de chapa de madera

Vulnerability

The susceptibility to intrinsic or external effects which increase the risk of extinction (even when mitigating factors are taken into account).

There are a number of taxon- or case specific biological and other factors that may affect the extinction risk associated with a given percentage decline, small population size or restricted area of distribution. These can be, but are not limited to, aspects of any of the following:

Life history (e.g. low fecundity, slow growth rate of the individual, high age at first maturity, long generation time)

Low absolute numbers or biomass or restricted area of distribution

Population structure (age/size structure, sex ratio)

Behavioural factors (e.g. social structure, migration, aggregating behaviour)

Density (for sessile or semi-sessile species)

Specialized niche requirements (e.g. diet, habitat)

Species associations such as symbiosis and other forms of co-dependency

Reduced genetic diversity

Depensation (prone to continuing decline even in the absence of exploitation)

Endemism

Seed dispersal mechanism

Specialized pollinators

Extrinsic factors

Selectivity of removals (that may compromise recruitment)

Threats from alien invasive species (hybridization, disease transmission, depredation, etc.)

Habitat degradation (contamination, soil erosion, alteration by alien invasive species, etc.)

Habitat loss/destruction

Habitat fragmentation

Harsh environmental conditions

Threats from disease

Rapid environmental change (e.g. climate regime shifts)

Stochastic events.

The vulnerability of a species to threats of extinction depends on its population demographics, biological characteristics, (such as body size, trophic level, life cycle, breeding structure or social structure requirements for successful reproduction), and vulnerability due to aggregating habits, natural fluctuations in population size, and/or residency/migratory patterns. This makes it impossible to give numerical threshold values for population size or area of distribution that are applicable to all taxa.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 5]

Fr.: vulnérabilité / Sp.: vulnerabilidad

W

Wild population

The total number of free-living individuals of a species within its area of distribution.

[Definition adapted from Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP15), Annex 5]

Fr.: population sauvage / Sp.: población silvestre

Worked ivory

Any items made of ivory for jewellery, adornment, art, utility or musical instruments (but not including whole tusks in any form, except where the whole surface has been carved), provided that such items are clearly recognizable as such and in forms requiring no further carving, crafting or manufacture to effect their purpose.

See also: raw ivory

[Definition from Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP14)]

Fr.: ivoire travaillé / Sp.: marfil trabajado

Last modified: Wednesday, 20 July 2011, 4:33 PM