The quality of an ecosystem measured in terms of its abiotic and biotic characteristics.

United Nations (2021) System of Environmental-Economic Accounting - Ecosystem Accounting: Final Draft United Nations, New York, USA.

Source category: International Organisation

In the case of land use, the pursuit of resource efficiency is often translated into land use intensification. It is essential that any such effort reflects a comprehensive ecosystem-based concept (including all ecosystem functions and services provided by land and land use) to optimise overall ecosystem condition and service delivery to society and to avoid unfavourable trade-offs e.g. if intensification aims unilaterally at growing wood or food outputs, at the cost of losing biodiversity or other ecosystem functions.

Source: EURO-Lex

Biodiversity is at the base of robust ecosystem condition and functioning, which in turn ensures the continuous and dependable flow of services.

Source: EURO-Lex

(ecological balance) The condition of equilibrium among the components of a natural community such that their relative numbers remain fairly constant and their ecosystem is stable. Gradual readjustments to the composition of a balanced community take place continually in response to natural ecological succession and to alterations in climatic and other influences.

Source: EEA Glossary