Glossary
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Ramsar
International Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, particularly as habitats for waterbirds (signed in Ramsar, Iran, 1971).
RDB
See Red Data Books.
Receptor
In this website, receptor is used to refer to a particular aspect of the marine environment which is being affected or impacted upon by aggregate dredging. It includes the following; shape of the sea floor, ecology, commercial fishing, nature conservation areas, historic environment, other industries and recreational activities.
Recolonisation
The settlement of new recruits from the plankton or immigration of adults from outside the disturbed area.
Recoverability potential
An assessment of the potential ability of an ecosystem to recover post-dredging activity.
Recovery
The establishment of a successional community of species which progresses towards a community that is similar in species composition, population density and biomass to that present at non-impacted reference sites.
Recycled aggregates
Aggregates sourced from the reprocessing of materials from construction, demolition, highways maintenance, excavation and utility operations, which have an ability to act as a direct replacement for virgin aggregates.
Red Data Books (RDB)
Red Data Books are now an established method of presenting factual information abut the status of the rarest and most threatened animals and plants. They have now been produced internationally and nationally for a large number of biological groups.
Regulator
The collective name for the relevant UK Government regulating marine aggregate extraction in UK waters (Department for Communities and Local Government in England, Welsh Assembly Government in Wales, the Scottish Executive and the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland).
Relative sea level
Changes in the sea level relative to that of the land, which operates on a regional/local level. It can be brought about by a change in sea level and/or a change in the level of the land.
Remediation
the sympathetic treatment of the external areas of a proposed development employed to counteract negative landscape and visual effects (part of reduction)
Remote sensing
Non-invasive methods of evaluation, including air photograph interpretation and geophysical survey.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and tide are clean energy sources that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment and can be harnessed for human benefit.
Reserves
Explored resources which are capable of being worked using present day technology.
Restoration
The return of community structure within a disturbed area.
Royalty
Payment to the holder of a resource (The Crown Estate) for the right to use their property (for aggregate extraction).
RSPB