Bio Green Useful Glossary of Terms…
In addition to all the other hints, tips, definitions, how-to's and references, we hope you'll find this glossary of turf care & lawn maintenance terms helpful and helpful...
Abiotic - Non-living thing. Also called inorganic, this term usually refers to the physical and chemical components of an organism's environment. .
Acidic - Any substance with a pH below 7.
Acidic Solution - Any water solution that is acidic (with a pH of less than 7) or has more hydrogen ions (H+) than hydroxide ions (OH-).
Acid Precipitation - Atmospheric precipitation with a pH less than 5.6. (the normal pH of precipitation is 5.6)
Acid Rain - Rain with a pH less than 5.6. (the normal pH of precipitation is 5.6)
Active Layer - The upper zone of soil in more northern latitudes that experiences daily and seasonal freeze/thaw cycles.
Actual Evapotranspiration - Is the amount of water actually removed from a surface due to the processes of evaporation and transpiration.
Amino Acid - An organic nitrogen containing acids which are used to construct proteins.
Anaerobic - 1) The absence of molecular oxygen, 2) that which occurs only in the absence of molecular oxygen, or 3) that which grows in the absence of molecular oxygen.
Atmosphere - The atmosphere is the vast gaseous envelope of air that surrounds the Earth, and it boundaries aren’t easily defined. It contains a complex system of gases and suspended particles which tend behave like fluids in a variety of ways. Many of its characteristics and constituents are derived from the Earth through chemical and biochemical reactions.
Atmospheric Pressure - The weight of the atmosphere on a surface. At sea-level, the average atmospheric pressure is 1013.25 millibars. Pressure is measured by a device called a barometer.
Atmospheric Stability - Relative stability of parcels of air relative to the atmosphere that surrounds them. Three conditions are generally described: stable, unstable, and neutral.
Bacteria - Simple single-celled organisms, or which there are many different species. Some of them can be pathogenic, causing disease in larger more complex organisms. Many species play a major role in the cycling of nutrients in ecosystems through aerobic and anaerobic decomposition. Finally, some species form symbiotic relationships with more complex organisms and help these life forms survive in the environment by fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
Barometer - Instrument that measures atmospheric pressure.
Biotic - 1) Referring to life, or 2) influences caused by living organisms.
Calcification - A soil-forming process (found in dry environments) that results in the accumulation of calcium carbonate in surface soil layers.
Calcite - A mineral formed from calcium carbonate, and commonly found in limestone.
Calcium Carbonate - A compound consisting of calcium and carbonate.
Caliche - An accumulation of calcium carbonate at or near the soil surface.
Capillary Water - Water (available for plant use) that moves horizontally and vertically in soils by the process of capillary action.
Carbonate - A compound consisting of a single atom of carbon and three atoms of oxygen.
Carbon Cycle - A storage and cyclic movement of organic and inorganic forms of carbon between the bio, litho, hydro, and atmospheres.
Cation - An ion carrying a positive atomic charge.
Cation Exchange - Chemical trading of cations between the soil minerals and organic matter with the soil solution and plant roots.
Cation Exchange Capacity - The capacity of a soil to exchange cations with the soil solution. Often used as a measure of potential soil fertility.
Clay - A mineral particle less than 0.004 millimeters in diameter.
Cultivars - a cultivated variety or strain of a plant produced by horticultural techniques and not normally found in wild populations; a cultivar name is written after the Latin name, usually marked by single quotation marks, as in Zinnia elegans ‘Tom Thumb.’
Cyclone - Area of low pressure in the atmosphere that displays circular inward movement of air. In the Northern Hemisphere circulation is counter-clockwise, while cyclones in the southern hemisphere have clockwise wind patterns.
Decomposition - 1) To chemically or physically breakdown a mass of matter into smaller parts or chemical elements, or 2) the breakdown of organic matter into smaller parts or inorganic constituents by decomposing organisms.
Decomposer - A type of detritivore, decomposers play a vital role in the recycling of organic matter back into inorganic nutrients in ecosystems. This recycling is done through decomposing complex organic matter and then converting the less complex organic products into inorganic compounds and atoms. Much of the recycled inorganic nutrients are then consumed by producers. Bacteria and fungi are the most common decomposers found in most ecosystems. (see detritus feeders below)
Detritus - The dead body parts, shed tissues and waste products of organisms. In most ecosystems, detritus accumulates on the soil surface and other types of surfaces.
Detritus Feeder - A type of detritivore. Detritus feeders acquire the nutrients they need from partially decomposed organic matter found in shed animal tissues, plant litter, dead bodies of plants and animals, and animal waste products. Some examples of detritus feeders include various species of beetles, various species of ants, earthworms, and termites. (see decomposer above)
Detritus Food Chain - A model that describes the conversion of organic energy in a community or ecosystem into inorganic elements and compounds through decomposition. The organisms involved in this conversion are called detritivores.
Detritivore - Heterotrophic organism that feeds on detritus. Examples of such organisms include earthworms, termites, slugs, snails, bacteria, and fungi. Two types of detritivores are generally recognized: decomposers and detritus feeders.
Disturbance - 1) The partial or complete alteration of a community or an ecosystem by a biotic or abiotic factor, or 2) a cyclonic low pressure system.
Dyne - A unit of force that creates an acceleration on a mass of 1 gram equal to 1 centimeter per second. (105 dynes equals one Newton)
Ecosystem - An ecosystem is a system where populations of species group together into communities and interact with each other and the abiotic environment.
Eukaryote - Organisms whose cells have a membrane-bound nucleus and many specialized structures located within their cell boundary, and who’s genetic material is organized into chromosomes residing in the nucleus.
Evaporation - Evaporation is the process by which liquid water is converted into a gaseous state, and can only occur when water is available. It also requires that the relative humidity is less than the evaporating surface (at 100% relative humidity there is no more evaporation).
Fungi - A group, at the kingdom level, in the classification of life, fungi are multi-cellular organisms that have a eukaryotic cell type, mitochondria, and a cell wall composed of chitin and other non-cellulose polysaccharides.
Heat - Is defined as energy in the process of being transferred from one object to another because of the temperature difference between them. In the atmosphere, heat is commonly transferred by conduction, convection, advection, and radiation.
Heat Capacity - Is the ratio of the amount of heat energy absorbed by a substance as compared to its corresponding temperature rise.
Heat Energy - A form of energy created by the combined internal motion of atoms in a substance.
Heat Island - The dome of relatively warm air which often develops over the center of urbanized areas.
Heterotroph - An organism that must consume energy-rich organic molecules for survival. Energy is released from these molecules through the chemical process of respiration.
High Pressure - An above average area of atmospheric pressure within the Earth's atmosphere. If this system is on the Earth's surface and includes circular wind flow and enclosed isobars, it’s called an anticyclone.
Infiltration - The absorption and downward movement of water into the soil layer
Infiltration Capacity - The ability of a soil to absorb surface water
Infiltration Rate - Rate of absorption and downward movement of water into the soil layer
Inorganic - Refers to a non-living thing. Sometimes called abiotic, this usually refers to the physical and chemical components of an organism's environment.
Limestone - Is a form of sedimentary rock composed of carbonate minerals, especially calcium carbonate, and can be created by clastic and non-clastic processes. Clastic limestone is formed from the break up and deposition of shells, coral and other marine organisms by wave-action and ocean currents. Non-clastic limestone can be formed either as a precipitate or through the natural accumulation of coral reefs, marine organism shells, and marine organism skeletons.
Isobar - Lines on a map joining points of equal atmospheric pressure.
Low Pressure - An area of atmospheric pressure within the Earth's atmosphere that is below average. If this system is on the Earth's surface and contains circular wind flow and enclosed isobars it's called a cyclone.
Mass Movement - The general term used to describe the downslope movement of sediment, soil, and rock material.
Millibar (mb) - A unit measurements for quantifying force, used to measure atmospheric pressure. (equivalent to 1000 dynes per square centimeter)
Mineral - A component of rocks, minerals are a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a crystalline structure and a specific chemical composition. Over 2,000 types of minerals have been classified.
Mineralization - Decomposition of organic matter into its inorganic elemental components.
Neutral Atmosphere - A condition in the atmosphere where isolated air parcels don’t have a tendency to either rise or sink. These air parcels tend to be same temperature as the air surrounding them.
Newton - A unit of force that creates an acceleration on a mass of 1 kilogram equal to 1 meter per second with no friction and under the conditions of a vacuum.
Nitrogen Cycle - A model that describes the movement of nitrogen in its many forms between the hydro, litho, bio and atmospheres.
Nitrogen Dioxide - A gas produced by bacterial action in the soil and by high temperature combustion.
Nitrogen Saturation - The over abundance of nitrogen in natural ecosystems, usually the result of agriculture (fertilizers, etc.), or the burning of fossil fuels.
Organic Matter - A mass of matter containing living organisms or non-living material derived from once-live organisms. Sometime refers to the organic constituents of soil.
pH - Is a measure of the acidity of a solution.
Photosynthesis - Is the chemical process where plants and some bacteria can capture and organically fix the energy of the Sun.
Precipitation - 1.) Any aqueous deposit, in liquid or solid form, that develops in a saturated atmosphere (where the relative humidity equals 100%) and falls to the ground, generally from clouds. However, most clouds don’t produce precipitation… because the water droplets and ice crystals in many clouds are too small to overcome natural updrafts found in the atmosphere. As a result, these tiny water droplets and ice crystals will tend to remain suspended in the atmosphere as clouds. 2) the state of being precipitated from a solution.
Producer - An organism that can synthesize the organic nutrients it requires for growth through processes like photosynthesis.
Relative Humidity - The ratio between the actual amount of water vapor held in the atmosphere, compared to the amount required for saturation. Relative humidity is influenced by both temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Rock - A compact and consolidated mass of mineral matter, three rock types are recognized: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Rock Cycle - A general model which described the geomorphic and geologic processes involved in the creation, modification and recycling of rocks.
Runoff - The topographic flow of water from precipitation to stream channels located at lower elevations occurs when the infiltration capacity of an area's soil has been exceeded. It also refers to water leaving an area of drainage.
Sand - A mineral particle between 0.06 and 2.0 millimeters in diameter.
Sea-Level - The average surface elevation of the world's oceans.
Sea-Level Pressure - Average atmospheric pressure at sea-level. This value is 1013.2 millibars.
Sedimentary Rock - Is formed by the depositing, alteration and/or compression, and lithification of weathered rock debris, chemical precipitates, or organic sediments.
Silt - A mineral particle between 0.004 and 0.06 millimeters in diameter.
Soil - Layer of unconsolidated material found at the Earth's surface that has been influenced by the soil forming factors: climate, relief, parent material, time, and organisms. Soil normally consists of weathered mineral particles, dead and living organic matter, air space, and the soil solution.
Soil Colloids - Very small organic and inorganic particles found in a soil. Inorganic colloids are often clay particles. Soil colloids carry a negative electrical charge and are the primary sites for cation exchange. Soil colloids hold large quantities of elements and compounds which are used by plants for nutrition.
Soil Creep - The slow or gradual mass movement of soil down a slope. This occurs where the stresses on the slope material aren’t great enough to trigger a rapid failure.
Soil Erosion - The transport of soil mineral particles and organic matter by wind, flowing water, or both. Human activities which disturb the soil surface or remove vegetation - or both - can enhance or even trigger this natural process.
Soil Fertility - The ability of a soil to provide nutrients for plant growth.
Soil-Heat Flux - The rate of flow of heat energy into, from, or through the soil.
Soil Horizon - Refers to the layer within a soil profile that differs physically, biologically or chemically from layers above and/or below it.
Soil Moisture Recharge - Describes the process of water filling the pore space found in a soil (storage).
Soil Organic Matter - Organic constituents of soil.
Soil Permeability - The rate at which water and air move vertically through a soil.
Soil Porosity - The volume of water a particular soil can hold. (also refers to the ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume of the soil)
Soil Profile - The vertical arrangement of layers or horizons in a soil.
Soil Science - The study of soils from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Soil Solution - The aqueous liquid found within a soil, normally containing ions released from mineral particles, organic matter, or plant roots and leaves.
Soil Structure - The general term that describes how mineral and particles organic matter of are organized and clumped together in a soil.
Soil Taxonomy - The classification of a soil in a hierarchical system based on its various properties in groupings from general to specific.
Soil Texture - The relative quantities and distribution of different types and sizes of mineral particles in a soil.
Soil Water - The water found occupying pore spaces between soil particles.
Stability - The capability of a system to tolerate or recover from disturbances or an environmental stresses.
Stable Atmosphere - A condition in the atmosphere where isolated air parcels have a tendency to sink. These parcels of air tend to be cooler than the air that surrounds them
Stomata - The small openings found on the underside of leaves that are connected to vascular plant tissues. Some dry environment plants have the ability to open and close their stomata.
Temperature - Temperature is defined as the measure of the average speed of atoms and molecules. The higher the temperature the faster they move.
Temperature Inversion - A situation in a normal atmosphere where a warmer air layer exists above the surface of the Earth where air temperature decreases with altitude. In the warmer layer of air the temperature increases with altitude.
Transpiration - Transpiration is the process of water loss from plants through their stomata. It’s a passive process controlled largely by atmospheric humidity and the moisture content of the soil. Only about 1% of the transpired water passing through a plant is used in the growth process. Transpiration also transports nutrients from the soil into the roots and carries them to the various cells of the plant.
Unstable Atmosphere - The condition in the atmosphere where isolated air parcels have a tendency to rise. The parcels of air tend to be warmer than the air that surrounds them.
Weathering - The physical, chemical or biological breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller sized bits and particles.
Weather Map - A map displaying the relative condition of the physical state of the atmosphere, and its circulation at a specific time over a given area or region of the Earth.
