GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS
of terms related to the biodiversity

wait-and-see principle (opp.: the precautionary principle)

A reactive method of dealing with the environment that places the burden of proof on those who would conserve.

welfare

An index of well-being.

wide crossing

In plant breeding this refers to the process of undertaking a cross where one parent is from outside the immediate genepool of the other, i.e. landrace or primitive line crossed with a modern cultivar.

wild relative

Plant or animal species that are taxonomically related to crop or livestock species and serve as potential sources for genes in breeding of new varieties of those crops or livestock.

wild species

Organisms captive or living in the wild that have not been subject to breeding to alter them from their native state.

wildlife

Living, nondomesticated animals.

willingness to accept

Is the amount of compensation an individual is willing to take in exchange for giving up some good or service. This may be elicited from stated or revealed preference approaches.

willingness to pay

Is the amount an individual is willing to pay to acquire some good or service. This may be elicited from stated or revealed preference approaches.