Glossary

Agro-Ecology

an academic discipline studying the application of ecosystem processes into agricultural systems as well as the impacts of agricultural systems on ecological health and functionality.

Agroforestry

a broad term describing various forms of agriculture that integrate woody perennials (shrubs, trees) with crops and animals. Design and management can vary greatly, highly specific to context and needs.

Bioprecipitation

the phenomenon of the emission of specific volatile microbial particles (found on plants, in organic matter, in soil) that induce ice formation and crystal growth in clouds. The emission of these microbial aerosols from biologically rich and active landscapes result in cloud formation and increased precipitation. Bioprecipation is increased and amplified by an increase in humidity.

Earthworks

implies any moving of soil and shaping of landscape for a specific purpose, often related to water runoff catchment, diversion, storage, flood mitigation, tree systems establishment, building of ponds, infiltration basins, etc.

Ecobiological

means to describe a process that’s inherently based on ecology and biology, living ‘spontaneous’ systems. In our case, used to describe how forests (and wetlands etc.) provide the moisture for their own and distant surrounding forests’ precipitation primarily through evapotranspiration (ET). That high ET creates low pressure systems that draw in more moisture from surrounding areas (especially along the coast and bodies of water). This is called the ‘biotic pump’ or ‘small water cycle’.

Evapotranspiration

include different processes. Evaporation is the process of liquid water being turned into water vapor and emitted into the atmosphere (from lakes, irrigation, wet soil, etc.). Transpiration describes the water that is being pulled up by plants’ roots and ‘exhaled’/released as vapor through plants’ stomata (tiny pores in their leaves). Evapotranspiration is the overall total of water returned back into the air or atmosphere, a crucial step in our large and small water cycles.

Geomechanical

Geo meaning earth(-related), and mechanical meaning the ‘automated’ physical processes. In our case, it describes a large hydrological cycle, in which moisture/rain is ‘produced’ by oceans and moved around the globe with winds from the earth spinning, topography, temperature changes, etc.

Glyphosate

Patented by Monsanto, glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, one of the most commonly used herbicides in global agriculture. It kills plants by inhibiting them from producing essential proteins. It was originally developed as an antibiotic and is highly toxic to pollinators, like honey bees, and aquatic life. In high doses in humans, it is suspected to be linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and in lower doses, it has measured effects on the human microbiome. Read more here: Glyphosate: What You Need to Know About Its Health Impacts (drugwatch.com)

Infiltration Basin

a form of engineered sump or percolation pond that is used to manage stormwater runoff, prevent flooding and downstream erosion, and improve water quality in an adjacent river, stream, lake, or bay.

On Contour

each spot on a contour line has the same elevation. On topographical maps, the contour lines indicate the shapes (ridges, valleys, etc.) and steepness of a landscape. If a ditch holding water is on contour, water will not flow and will sit level.

Permaculture Design

a design approach most commonly applied to land stewardship based on 3 main ethics: earth care, people care, and creating a surplus to “re-invest” into the system. In other words, Permaculture takes a “whole systems approach” towards managing land and people, aiming to create abundance. A Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course teaches this in depth through a 72 hour curriculum.

Regenerative Agriculture

an approach to farming that focuses on regenerating or increasing topsoil, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and so on.

Topswale

the highest swale (in terms of elevation) of the slope or property.