GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS
of terms related to the biodiversity

off-site

Propagation and preservation of plant, animal, and microorganism species outside their natural habitat.

oligotrophic

Low in nutrients and in primary production.

on-site

Preservation of species in their natural environment.

ontogeny

Life cycle of a single organism; biological development of the individual.

open-pollinated

Plants that are pollinated by physical or biological agents (e g, wind, insects) and without human intervention or control.

opportunity cost

The value of the best alternative use of a resource. This consists of the maximum value of other outputs we could and would have produced had we not used the resource to produce the item in question.

option value

The potential value of the resource for future (direct or indirect) use.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Comprises (1999) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the USA.

orthodox seed

Seed that are able to withstand the reductions in moisture - levels between 4 and 6 percent, storage for long periods at reduced temperatures and under low humidity, and remain viable.

overexpression host

An organism that produces more of the desired enzyme or compound than normal.