Biodiversity & Nature
Net gain
Net gain is an outcome in which biodiversity or natural capital is improved beyond a defined baseline after accounting for losses and gains.
Expert review openNo editor-accepted expert review yetDefinition
Net gain is an outcome in which biodiversity or natural capital is improved beyond a defined baseline after accounting for losses and gains.
Overview
What it means in practice
Net gain should be read as a biodiversity and nature term. Its meaning depends on the ecosystem, species, baseline, geography and method being used.
In practice, users should state the boundary, baseline, data source and method. That keeps net gain useful as a reference without overstating the result.
Why it matters
Net gain matters because nature language can turn complex ecological change into a simple claim. Clear boundaries help readers understand whether the term describes a value, pressure, method, target or measured outcome.
Common misconception
A common error is to present Net gain as a broad proof of benefit. The stronger approach is to state the baseline, comparison, method, residual impact and limitation.
Review questions
What boundary, baseline or comparison is being used? What evidence supports the term? What assumption or limitation would change how a reader interprets it?
Review
Public comments appear only after editor acceptance. Draft comments stay in the review queue.
Reviewers choose the definition or an overview paragraph, leave a comment or replacement, and attach evidence or a source link.
Editors compare reviewer cards side by side. AI may help find agreement, conflicts, unsupported claims and possible source issues.
Only an editor-accepted synthesis changes the public page. Reviewer identities are shown only with consent and verification.
Submitted reviews stay private until accepted.
Loading verified endorsements… Endorsements are not votes and never determine publication.
Endorse this definition
Endorse the exact version shown here. This is not a vote, and publication remains an editorial decision.
Review board
Comment on a specific line. Each reviewer stays separate until an editor accepts a merged draft.
Each person comments on the definition or overview in their own draft card, with role, evidence and suggested wording kept together.
AI can compare comments against the current text, flag conflicting claims, surface missing evidence and identify where reviewers agree.
An editor merges compatible suggestions into a draft change, checks sources, records disagreements and decides what can be published.