Semi-natural vegetation
Vegetation which has been modified by humans but is still of significant nature conservation interest because it is composed of native plant species, is similar in structure to natural types, and supports native animal communities.

Short List (UK Steering Group)
A list of species selected by the Steering Group (HMSO 1995) for early action. Action Plans for these species were completed by 1995, in advance of those on the Middle List. The list was based on species which: are highly threatened on an international scale; are the subject of Directives, Conventions or legislation; are endemic; or have undergone substantial decline (in numbers or range) in recent years.

Shoreline Management Plan
Prepared by Coastal Defence authorities (in consultation with other interested parties), SMPs assess a range of strategic coastal defence options and agree preferred options for stretches of the coastline based on sediment cell or subcell boundaries.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
SSSIs form a nationally important series which contribute to the conservation of our natural heritage of wildlife habitats, geological features, and landforms. SSSIs are areas of land that have been identified as being of special interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 or the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
SACs are sites designated under the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora). Together with SPAs they form the Natura 2000 network of sites. All sites are SSSIs.

Special Ecosystem Classification
A water quality classification for river SSSIs.

Special Protection Area (SPA)
SPAs are designated under the Birds Directive (Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds). Together with SACS they form the Natura 2000 network of sites. All sites are SSSIs.

Species
A group of individuals that interbreed with each other but not with other groups.

Species Action Plan (SAP)
One of the Action Plans which identifies UK national targets for the maintenance and enhancement of each of the 406 species most at risk. Some of these are integrated with related HAPs (eg, reedbeds and bittern).

Species Recovery Programme
A scheme initiated by English Nature in 1991 in response to the growing concern for the plight of much of England's wildlife. It aims to achieve the long-term self-sustained survival in the wild of species of plants and animals currently under threat from extinction.

State of the Environment Reports (Sustainability Reporting)
State of the Environment Reports are national, regional or local reports on every aspect of the environment in a particular area. Often produced by local authorities, they are resource intensive and difficult to keep up-to-date. Increasingly, SoERs are focusing more on aspects of the environment of greatest concern for sustainability in their area.

Strategic Environmental Assessment
Also known as Environmental Appraisal, this is an appraisal of the effects on the environment of a given policy or programme of activity. It means considering the effects on air, water, land, wildlife, the countryside and the built environment as well as on people. SEA is not limited to regulatory policies and programmes and can be adopted by business as well as legislators (DETR 1998).

Succession
The process by which a series of plants colonise a substrate over time, such as a change from open water, through swamp and scrub to woodland.

Sustainable Development
Defined by the Brundtland Report (1989) as development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. The more general term 'sustainability' extends this philosophy to cover lifestyles and ways of operating as well as development per se.

Sustainability Indicators
Prepared by national and local government and other bodies, these aim to provide a clear picture of whether society is becoming more or less sustainable, to increase awareness, and to provide greater understanding of trends and impacts.