Environmental Domain Submitted None Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary air A predominantly mechanical mixture of a variety of individual gases forming the earth's enveloping atmosphere. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain climate and climate change State of the climate and/or change in this state that can be identified (e.g., by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain health protection Measures or devices designed to reduce the risk of harm to human health posed by pollutants or other threatening conditions in the ecosystem. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain land use The term land use deals with the spatial aspects of all human activities on the land and with the way in which the land surface is adapted, or could be adapted, to serve human needs. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain natural resources A feature or component of the natural environment that is of value in serving human needs, e.g. soil, water, plant life, wildlife, etc. Some natural resources have an economic value (e.g. timber) while others have a non-economic value (e.g. scenic beauty). Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain nature and biodiversity Active management of the earth's natural resources and environment to ensure their quality is maintained and that they are wisely used. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain noise Sound which is unwanted, either because of its effects on humans, its effect on fatigue or malfunction of physical equipment, or its interference with the perception or detection of other sounds. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain soil The top layer of the land surface of the earth that is composed of disintegrated rock particles, humus, water and air. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain sustainable development Development that provides economic, social and environmental benefits in the long term having regard to the needs of living and future generations. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain waste Material, often unusable, left over from any manufacturing, industrial, agricultural or other human process; material damaged or altered during a manufacturing process and subsequently left useless. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain water Common liquid (H2O) which forms rain, rivers, the sea, etc., and which makes up a large part of the bodies of organisms. Valid Data Dictionary Vocabularies Eionet Data Dictionary Environmental Domain