2002 Draft Natural Resources Management

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APPERIDIX E 'Glossa.r�r �f TPr,hnic�l Terms* Acre-Foot Volume of water that woulcf cover an acre of land to a depth of one foot (43,560 cubic feet). ASluvium Material, such as sand and gravel, deposited by running water. River terraces and outwash plains are examples of landforms compased of aifuvium. Barrens Usually refers to an area with sparse vegetation or stunted plants, caused by harsh growing conditions such as infertile, droughty, or ihin soils; also, a plan# community that has very sQarse cover or is composed of stunted p{ants. Bedrock Any solid rock exposed at the earth's surface or covered by unconsolidated material such as till, gravel, ar sand. Best Managemeni Practices: Methods, measures, or practices to prevent or reduce waier pollution, including but not lirnited to str�c#ural and non-structural controls, operation and mainfenance procedures, and scheduling of specific activities. Acrpnym is BMPs. Biowout An area, on a dune or other sand deposit, where wind has eroded a bowl- shaped hollow in the sand. Blowouts generally are sparsely vegetated. Bluegreen algae A type of aEgae whose popufation often increases dramaticafly at high nutrient concentrations in lakes. They can form objectionable surface scums, cause taste and odor problems, and secrete toxins poisonous to warm-blooded animals. Bog A w�tland composed of a layer of acidic peat on which grows a specialized group of herbs and low shrubs. Bogs are distinguisk�ed from closely related poor fens by extremely nutrient-poor conditions and the absence of most of the minerotrophic species that occur i� poar fens. Bounce In Hydrologic references, the rise in levei in a wetfand or lake resulting from a rainstorm event. The difference in elevation betweer� the normal water elevation and the peak water elevation of a pond #or a given size runoff event. � Many of tha definitions used in this section are borrowed from Minnesota's Si. Croix River Va11ex and Anoka 5andpiain, Worcha et a1, Ntinnesota DNR, 1995. Glossary Brushland An upiand plani community composed of shrubs and tree sprouts. Buffer strip: A band af un-maintained, preferably native, vegetatian left along the edge of a stream, lafce or wetland to filter runoff anci/or s#abilize the shareline Calcareous Describes a soil or substrate that contains a significant amount of calcium carbonate. Canopy Aerial branches and leaves of terrestrial plants; generally the #allest layer of foGiage in a plant community. Chlorophyll a The primary photosynthetic pigment in plants, a measure of the algal biomass in lakes Colluvium�A deposit of rock and soii at tF�e base of a cliff ar s1o�e, #orrned by gravitational actian. Colonial nesting birds Species that nest in colonies (groups or aggregations}, either with others of the same species or in mixed- species aggregaiions. Cover The proportion of the ground shadeci when the living plant canopy is projected vertically dawnward; also a general term used to describe any component of the habitat that conceals animals from view. DBH (diameter at breast height) — a s#andard measure af tree trunk diameter taken appraximately 4.5 feet above ihe ground level. Dominant Describes a plant species that shapes the character of a community by �irtue of its size, abundance, dense shade, or effects on soils. Dominant species generally inffuence the presence, growth, and distribution of other piant species in the community. Degradation A decrease in quality. DQtention Pond A pond designecf to catch and temporarily store runoif before discharging the waier downstream. The �olume of the pool of standing water in the pond is importan# in deterrnining how effective the pond wi11 be in treating the incoming stormwater.