45Defined terms

1. In this subpart, unless the context otherwise requires,—

   action plan means a plan containing measures to manage compliance with an environmental limit, including—

   1. regulatory measures (such as those described in section 63(1)); and
   2. non-regulatory measures (such as work plans and partnership arrangements with tangata whenua and community groups)

   air means the composition of the shallow layer of gases, vapours, and particulates surrounding the earth, that is, the lower atmosphere (troposphere) in which people live

   attribute means a measurable biophysical characteristic that can be used to assess the extent to which a particular value (for example, human health or ecosystem health) is provided for

   best obtainable information has the meaning given in section 59

   coastal water means all coastal ecosystems within and up to the outer limits of the territorial sea, including—

   1. coastal ecosystems with a substantial freshwater component; and
   2. coastal ecosystems in estuaries, fjords, inlets, harbours, or embayments

   domain means a domain of the natural environment

   ecosystem includes—

   1. biological life—the abundance and diversity of biota, including microbes, fungi, invertebrates, plants, fish, birds, and mammals; and
   2. physical and chemical habitat—the abiotic components, including the physical form, structure, and quality of habitat, in relation to its suitability to support life; and
   3. ecological processes—the interactions among and between biota and their physical and chemical environment

   freshwater means all freshwater ecosystems except coastal water and geothermal water

   indigenous biodiversity—

   1. means the variety of indigenous living organisms and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; and
   2. includes diversity within species, diversity between species, and the diversity of ecosystems

   land and soil means either or both of the following:

   1. the surface of earth that is not covered by water (land):
   2. the layered material at the earth's surface, that has resulted from chemical and  biological processes  and physical organisation of minerals and organic matter (soil)

   life-supporting capacity of the natural environment means the ability of ecosystems of the natural environment—

   1. to support and sustain a diverse range of indigenous life over time; and
   2. to be resilient

   methodology means a method, process, or set of requirements that must be complied with

   resilience means the capacity of an ecosystem to withstand or recover from pressure and disturbances while retaining its essential qualities and functions

   state attribute means an identified biophysical state of the natural environment

   stress attribute means an identified biophysical stress on the natural environment.