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Acid Rain
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precipitation that is more acidic than normal, usually caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides (Air).
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Air Pollution
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any particles or gases that are in the air, but not part of the air’s natural composition (Air).
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Assimilation
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process through which plants absorb ammonia and nitrate into their roots from soil or water (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Best Management Practices (BMP)
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mandatory and voluntary practices farmers and others use to reduce erosion and prevent or control NPS pollution (Agriculture).
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Biodiesel
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a conventional diesel fuel mixed with biologically derived oils in order to cut down on the use of fossil fuels (Energy).
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Biodiversity
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many varieties of plants and animals (Forestry and Wildlife).
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Biofuels
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a conventional gasoline fuel mixed with biologically derived alcohols in order to cut down on the use of fossil fuels (Energy).
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Biome
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geographic area characterized by certain types of plant and animal communities that contains smaller ecosystems (Forestry and Wildlife).
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Boreal
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pertaining to the arctic and Antarctic tundras (Forestry and Wildlife).
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Brownfield
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a term used to classify abandoned or under-used plots of land or buildings (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Carbon Cycle
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the combined processes, including photosynthesis, decomposition, and respiration, by which carbon as a component of various compounds cycles between its major reservoirs (Energy).
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Cluster Zoning
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planning development to be concentrated and dense in some areas, leaving open space and environmentally sensitive lands undisturbed (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Cogeneration
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a process in which an industrial facility uses its waste energy to produce heat or electricity (Energy).
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Conservation Easements
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arrangement where the owner of a piece of property donates the development rights to that property to the government, thereby preventing development on the land (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Deciduous
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type of trees found in temperate forests that shed their leaves seasonally (Energy).
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Deforestation
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cutting or over-harvesting of trees, in which case the cutting down of trees occurs at a rate that surpasses re-growth (Forestry and Wildlife).
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Denitrification
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process in which bacteria turn nitrate back into atmospheric nitrogen (Land Use and Natural Hazards)
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Electricty
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electric current used or regarded as a source of power (Energy).
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Endangered Species
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organisms that face extinction, often because of loss of habitat (Curriculum Overview).
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Erosion
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wearing away of soil caused by wind or rain (Water).
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Eutrophication
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the buildup of nutrients in freshwater lakes and ponds that leads to an increase in algae growth (Forestry and Wildlife).
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Fecal Coliform
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bacteria that live in the intestines of humans and animals and become infectious when released through feces (Water).
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Fertilizer
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nutrients added to the soil to increase productivity (Water).
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Fossil Fuel
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ancient underground deposits of organic matter, such as coal or oil (Energy).
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Generator
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a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy (Energy).
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Geothermal Reservoirs
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underground pools of water heated by the earth (Energy).
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Green Building Design
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process of using "green" features such as recycled materials and energy efficient heating systems when planning buildings (Green Building).
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Green Roof
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relatively flat roof with plants growing on it; the plants serve as a natural source of insulation (Energy).
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Greenfield
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open, natural, or agricultural lands that provide habitats for wildlife, ecosystem benefits, timber and food production, and aesthetics of a community (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Greenhouse
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structure designed to collect heat from the sun’s rays (Green Building).
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Greenhouse Gases
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any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, i.e., global warming (Energy).
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Groundwater
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water beneath the earth’s surface, often between saturated soil and rock, that supplies wells and springs (Water).
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Growth Management
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using government policies to plan development in a community (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Habitat
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living area that includes the resources necessary to support wildlife (Forestry and Wildlife).
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Hydric
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characterized by, relating to, or requiring an abundance of moisture (Water).
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Hydrophytic
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adapted to grow in water (Water).
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Impervious Surfaces
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surfaces that water cannot penetrate (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Land Trust
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non-profit organizations that work to conserve land by purchasing or accepting donations of land or conservation easements (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Methane
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an odorless, colorless, flammable gas, CH4, the major constituent of natural gas, that is used as a fuel and is an important source of hydrogen and a wide variety of organic compounds (Energy).
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Mixed-Use Development
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occurs when buildings for different purposes (such as homes and stores) are located in the same area (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Natural Lighting & Cooling
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the use of the sunlight indoors through building design instead of relying on artificial lighting, as well as design and technology that limit the need for air conditioning (Green Building).
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Nitrification
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the formation of nitrite (NO2-) and then nitrate (NO3-) as bacteria get their energy from ammonia (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Nitrogen Fixation
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the process in which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into nitrate by bacteria in the soil, water, or in the roots of some plants (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Non-Point Source Pollution
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a form of pollution with an unidentifiable specific origin of release (Water).
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Non-Renewable Resources
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resources that are in finite supply (Energy).
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Nutrient
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substance assimilated by organisms that promotes growth (Water).
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Organic Matter
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relating to or derived from living organisms (Energy).
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Particulates
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small particles of dust and soot that may be found in the atmosphere (Air).
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Passice Solar Homes
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homes that are positioned to face southward and passively collect the sun’s warmth for heat (Energy).
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Percolation
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the seeping of surface and groundwater through soil and subsurface strata (Agriculture).
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Point Source Pollution
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a form of pollution in which the specific origin of release into the environment is identifiable (Water).
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Proffers
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agreements and modifications developers make to protect the environment in order to get a permit to build a new subdivision, malls, office buildings, etc. (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Property Rights
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legal ownership of the rights to engage in a certain activity (Air).
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PV (Photovoltaic) Cells
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small cells or panels capable of producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy, especially light (Energy).
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Radioactive Elements
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any materials of, exhibiting, or caused by radioactivity (Energy).
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Recharge
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the replenishment of groundwater or an aquifer with surface water (Water).
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Recycling
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practice of reusing materials for new purposes (Energy).
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Renewable Energy
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energy that comes from a source that is constantly renewed; e.g., the wind keeps blowing, the sun keeps shining, water continuously flows in a river (Energy).
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Renewable Resource
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a natural resource that may be replenished through natural cycles and sound management. The sun, wind, wetlands, forests, and croplands are examples of renewable resources (Energy).
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Reservoir
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natural or artificial pond or lake used for the storage and regulation of water (Energy).
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Retrofitting
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to substitute new or modernized parts or systems for older equipment (Energy).
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Rural Area
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area with a low population and building density (Agriculture).
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Segregated Use
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zoning by allowable land use function (Land Use and Natural Hazard).
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Smart Growth
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development that protects natural resources while creating healthier human habitat (Land Use and Natural Hazard).
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Smog
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mixture of pollutants in the air that reduces visibility and can have negative effects on health and the environment (Air).
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Solar Energy
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our ability to convert the sun’s power into electricity (Energy).
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Sprawl
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the resulting spread of developed areas when metropolitan areas grow and expand at the fringes, pushing development into rural areas (Agriculture).
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Subsidize
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to provide money, or another incentive, to encourage people to engage in a particular activity, such as buying energy-efficient appliances (Air).
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Surface Water
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water that exists in bodies on the Earth such as rivers, lakes, ponds, oceans (Water).
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Sustainable Agriculture
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a production and distribution system that minimizes the negative impacts on health, safety, wildlife, water quality and the environment, as well as optimizing use of available resources (Agriculture).
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Sustainable Development
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a production and distribution system that minimizes the negative impacts on health, safety, wildlife, water quality and the environment, as well as optimizing use of available resources (Agriculture).
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Sustainability
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has enough resources and small enough impact to be used for a long time (Energy).
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Temperate
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area between tropical and polar zones, characterized by seasonal weather changes (Forestry and Wildlife).
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Topographic
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referring to the shape of the surface (natural features) of the land, determined by elevation, relief, and land forms (Land Use and Natural Hazards).
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Tributary
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a stream that flows into a larger stream or other body of water (Water).
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Tropical
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type of forests found in an area near the equator, receives direct sunlight all year so temperatures are warm (Forestry and Wildlife).
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Turbine
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a device with propeller blades and an axle turned by water, wind, or steam (Energy).
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Urban Area
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area with a higher population and building density (Agriculture).
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Watershed
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geographic area in which water, sediments, and other materials drain into a common body of water (Water).
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Wetland
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land areas that contain hydric soils and hydrophytic plants and are saturated with water for a portion of every year (Water).
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