Healthy ocean ecosystems are resilient to natural and human impacts, with rates of recovery that are generally higher than heavily impacted systems. Characteristics of a healthy ocean usually include appropriate levels of biodiversity and disturbance, low levels of pollution, and intact physical and biological habitats.

An area in the ocean or coastal zone completely protected from all extractive human activities, including fishing, mining, collecting and dredging. Marine reserves, also referred to as “ecological reserves,” “fully-protected marine reserves” and “no-take areas,” are a specific category of marine protected areas.

A landscape-type approach to marine ecosystem-based management implementation.

Adaptive management (AM) Also known as adaptive resource management (ARM), AM is, in essence, "learning by doing." It is a structured, iterative process that incorporates monitoring and evaluation to improve decision-making in uncertain environments.

Management of a network of multi- and single-use zones in two or three dimensions within a designated geographic area. Emerging as an important way to develop and implement an ecosystem-based management plan.

Biological diversity or diversity in an environment or ecosystem. Biodiversity can be considered at the genetic, species and/or functional levels of organization.

The development of a network of multi- and single-use zones within a designated geographic area. Emerging as an important way to develop and implement an ecosystem-based management plan.

The quality or extent of connectedness of two places. In the ocean, connectivity depends on the ability of a living organism or non-living particle (such as a larva, adult fish, spore or parcel of water) to move from one place to the other and the regularity with which it does so.

The protection of biodiversity, ecosystem function and ecosystem services to the benefit of the natural environment, including humans that depend on it.

The combined impact of one or multiple activities over time. For example, species removal from fishing, habitat destruction from mining, polluted runoff and temperature change, when acting together, can cumulatively cause a large impact on a single ecosystem, having numerous effects on many ecosystem services.