The natural growth of a piece of land resulting from forces of nature.

Area measurement (square measure) used primarily in the United States. One (1) acre is equal to 43,560 square feet, 4,046.86 square meters, or 0.4047 hectares.

One (1) acre equals 43,560 square feet. One (1) acre equals ten (10) square chains. One (1) acre equals 160 square rods, poles, or perches. One (1) acre equals 4,840 square yards. One (1) acre equals 4,046.856 square meters. One (1) acre equals 0.4047 hectares. One (1) acre equals 0.0016 square miles or sections. One (1) acre equals 0.004 square kilometers. One (1) acre equals 0.0000434 townships. One (1) acre equals 1.183676 arpents. One (1) acre equals 4.0 roods.

Administered by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), the state's Active Management Areas (AMA's) were established to provide long-term management and conservation of limited groundwater supplies. The five (5) AMA's - Prescott, Phoenix, Pinal, Tucson, and Santa Cruz - cover the majority of Arizona's agricultural land and urban population centers that exist where groundwater supplies are extremely limited. Rules governing water use and land development in AMA's are generally more stringent and focused on conservation of water resources in than elsewhere in the state. Applications for new development and subdivisions are managed by ADWR's Office of Assured and Adequate Water Supply under the Assured Water Supply Program.

Term describing the incorporation of ecological considerations into agricultural operations, with special emphasis on ecological and ecosystem sustainability.

Agricultural production that includes ecological and sustainability concerns in addition to economic and commodity values. Also known as sustainable agriculture, this set of farming methods often includes organic farming, locally-based food production, biological pest control, and unique marketing strategies. This type of system is sustainable in the sense that the social, economic, and ecological benefits can last for extended periods of time without degradation of natural resources.

See "Alternative agriculture"

The Department of Water Resources is Arizona's state water management agency. Created during enactment of the Groundwater Management Code (1980), the department is charged with securing long-term water supplies for communities within the State of Arizona. Principal duties of ADWR include implementation of the Groundwater Management Code, registration of all surface and groundwater rights, ensuring the safety of non-federal dams, assisting with local management of floodplains, and representing Arizona in interstate water discussions.

Program of Arizona Department of Water Resources Office of Assured and Adequate Water Supply. This program operates within designated Active Management Areas (AMA) to ensure the availability of water for new subdivisions for the next 100 years. A public report from the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) that allows subdivision lots to be sold will only be issued if the 100-year water supply has been demonstrated to be legally, physically, and continually available.

A set of land management guidelines that emphasize soil conservation and water quality. BMP's are often formulated and adopted at the state level.

The trunk of a tree.

Snags, logs (dead tree stems on the ground), chunks of wood, large branches and roots, and stumps generally near or on the forest floor

Trees and lesser vegetation naturally grouped on the basis of environmental factors and their ability to compete.

A thorough and intensive master plan to guide the long-term physical development of a particular area based on identified objectives, strategies, and timelines for implementation. Includes plans for land use, housing, community facilities and utlities, transportation of goods and people, and energy use and conservation. Zoning ordinances and policies are developed for different areas or zoning districts based on the master plan.

1. An easement designed to preserve and protect open space or important natural areas.
2. A legal agreement between a landowner and either a land trust or government entity that restricts land use and development on a parcel of real property so as to preserve and protect its conservation and natural resource values.

Diameter of a tree bole measured at a height of 4.5 feet. Usually recorded in inches (in) or centimeters (cm).

1. Variation in the physical characteristics of ecosystems across a landscape caused by variation in soil, slope, aspect, elevation, climate, and geology, and the accompanying variation in biotic communities. Also known as ecological or biological diversity.

A depression in the earth formed from running water from rain or winter thaw.

The interface or transition zone between two ecosystems that differ in overall species composition, plant communities, structure, and function of key processes. These areas are often characterized by a higher degree of species diversity than either of the two adjoining ecosystems alone.

The right of state, federal, or municipal government to take private property for a necessary public use, with just compensation paid to the owner. The court action that allows private property to be acquired by a government entity is known as condemnation.

A deep ditch or channel cut in the earth by running water usually from rain or winter thaw.

The locality in which an organism lives; the physical environment that will support a plant or animal in the absence of disturbance.

Different or dissimilar in structure, function, composition, quality, or origin.

A body of water, such as a pond, lake, tank, or reservoir, that is confined within a human-built enclosure.

A scale comparing relative values with each other or a predetermined reference.