A decoder for decoding an array of information samples encoded in a data stream each representing a picture, the decoder comprising: an extractor (102; 600) configured for identifying a set of causal candidate regions with respect to the region currently being decoded, extracting, from the data stream by means of entropy-decoding using context modeling, a combined syntax element with respect to a region currently being decoded within an array of information samples, wherein the region currently being decoded is one of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the array of information samples and the combined syntax element is indicative of merging information which is indicative of whether the region currently being decoded is to be reconstructed based on coding parameters associated with a selected causal candidate region, and identifies a specific one of the set of causal candidate regions as the selected causal candidate region; and a reconstructor (602: 704) configured for depending on whether the combined syntax element indicates that the region currently being decoded is to be reconstructed based on the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region, reconstructing the region currently being decoded by copying the coding parameters for the region currently being decoded from the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region, or reconstructing the region currently being decoded by predicting the coding parameters for the region currently being decoded from the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region. an extractor (102; 600) configured for identifying a set of causal candidate regions with respect to the region currently being decoded, extracting, from the data stream by means of entropy-decoding using context modeling, a combined syntax element with respect to a region currently being decoded within an array of information samples, wherein the region currently being decoded is one of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the array of information samples and the combined syntax element is indicative of merging information which is indicative of whether the region currently being decoded is to be reconstructed based on coding parameters associated with a selected causal candidate region, and identifies a specific one of the set of causal candidate regions as the selected causal candidate region; and identifying a set of causal candidate regions with respect to the region currently being decoded, extracting, from the data stream by means of entropy-decoding using context modeling, a combined syntax element with respect to a region currently being decoded within an array of information samples, wherein the region currently being decoded is one of a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the array of information samples and the combined syntax element is indicative of merging information which is indicative of whether the region currently being decoded is to be reconstructed based on coding parameters associated with a selected causal candidate region, and identifies a specific one of the set of causal candidate regions as the selected causal candidate region; and is indicative of whether the region currently being decoded is to be reconstructed based on coding parameters associated with a selected causal candidate region, and identifies a specific one of the set of causal candidate regions as the selected causal candidate region; and a reconstructor (602: 704) configured for depending on whether the combined syntax element indicates that the region currently being decoded is to be reconstructed based on the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region, reconstructing the region currently being decoded by copying the coding parameters for the region currently being decoded from the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region, or reconstructing the region currently being decoded by predicting the coding parameters for the region currently being decoded from the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region. depending on whether the combined syntax element indicates that the region currently being decoded is to be reconstructed based on the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region, reconstructing the region currently being decoded by copying the coding parameters for the region currently being decoded from the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region, or reconstructing the region currently being decoded by predicting the coding parameters for the region currently being decoded from the coding parameters associated with the selected causal candidate region.