Glossary of Key Terms

This glossary provides definitions for key terms used throughout the Biodiversity & Infrastructure Handbook, supporting consistent understanding across disciplines such as ecology, engineering, transport planning and policy.

Definitions are based on legal texts, reference documents and expert agreement, and cover essential concepts related to wildlife and traffic, habitat fragmentation, ecological connectivity, mitigation measures, monitoring, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. The glossary helps practitioners interpret technical guidance and supports clear communication between stakeholders involved in infrastructure projects.

If you are new to transport ecology or working in a multi-disciplinary team, the glossary can serve as a quick reference before exploring detailed handbook chapters. Terms will continue to evolve as the handbook is updated through expert collaboration and user feedback.

Last update: October 2023 – How to cite

All | # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
There are currently 13 names in this directory beginning with the letter P.
Paved road
A road which surface is made with asphalt, bitumen, concrete or tarmac. See also ‘Unpaved road’.
Pedestrian underpass
Structure under an infrastructure designed for use by pedestrians.
Pesticide
Any chemical application used to kill insects, rodents, weeds, fungi or other living organisms, which are harmful to plants, animals or foodstuffs.
Pipe
Cylindrical water tight structure sunk into the ground to provide a passage (from one side of the infrastructure to another).
Plan
A forward looking strategy or design, often with co-ordinated priorities, targets, options and measures that elaborate and implement policy. Synonym: 'Plan'.
Policy
A general course of action/ direction guiding ongoing decision making towards a desired goal or outcome.
Population
Functional group of individuals that interbreed within a given, often arbitrarily chosen, area.
Precautionary principle
A principle to guide decision?making in the absence of scientific certainty which states that precautionary measures should be taken when an activity may harm human health or the environment and that the proponent for an activity must prove that the action will not cause harm.
Primary effects
An outcome directly attributable to a defined action or project activity. They are produced by the physical presence of infrastructure, its structural design, maintenance, and use. Synonyms: 'Direct impacts', 'Direct effects'. See also: 'Secondary effects'.
Programme
A coherent, organised agenda or commitments that implements policy. Could encapsulate many projects.
Protected Areas
See 'Protection Zone'.
Protection Zone
An area of land and / or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
A cooperative system made up of two or more public and private organizations, typically involved in a long-term agreement.