Definition: A federal agency of the United States created in 1935 (as the Soil conservation Service or SCS) to assist private landowners and managers with conservation and protection of soil, water, and other natural resources. The NRCS provides information and consultation services, as well as financial assistance for conservation projects and programs.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Agriculture, Conservation and Sustainability, Forestry, Hydrology, Management, Science, Water

The first step in the scientific method, observation is the act of examining, inspecting, or scrutinizing natural or other phenomena in such a manner that leads to the use of abductive reasoning to explain them.

The actual outcome of a designed experiment using the scientific method. This outcome is compared to the expected outcome as described in the research hypothesis, and a conclusion is made that the experimental data either supports or contradicts the hypothesis.

Surface runoff that is flowing toward a confining channel such as a river or stream. Some overland flow is captured by surface bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, or wetlands before it can reach the stream or river channel.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Ecology, Forestry, Hydrology, Science, Water

The process by which precipitation seeps into sub-surface layers of the soil; some is held as soil moisture recharge, some resurfaces as streamflow, and the remainder becomes part of groundwater flows (aquifers).
Also known as Infiltration.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Ecology, Forestry and Silviculture, Hydrology, Science, Water

Occurring regularly or semi-regularly in time, as a periodic tenancy, periodic rent, periodic portfolio review, etc.

Definition:
1. (n.) Area of plain or rolling land along the foot of a mountain range
2. (adj.) Located at the base of a mountain or mountain range.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Ecology, Geography, Geology, Science

1. A unit of length or area equal to one linear rod or one square rod, commonly used in land surveys. The terms, rod, pole, and perch are equivalent and may be used interchangeably, although "rod" is the most common. One (1) pole is equal to 25 links, 16.5 feet, or 1/4 (0.25) chain. For conversions and examples, see Rod, pole, or perch equivalents and conversions and the various Converting rods, poles, or perches to... entries.
2. A roundwood product used primarily for structural support. Tree species used for poles are selected for resistance to weather, wear, and mechanical stress and include lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and a variety of southern pines.
3. Term applied to trees that have too small a diameter to be considered sawlogs, but are useful as structural supports, flagpoles, etc.
4. The end of an axis, as in poles of the earth or of cellular mitotic spindles in plants and animals.
5. Either of two opposing parts, forces, or situations, as in magnets, batteries, or opinions.

Definition:
1. (n.) A body of still or standing water smaller than a lake, often artificially created.
2. (v.) To collect by aggregation, as in the ponding of water in low-lying areas.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Agriculture, Biology, Ecology, Geography, Hydrology, Science, Water

Definition:
Natural Sciences: 1. A body of water smaller than a pond; a small puddle of water or other liquid.
2. A relatively deep portion of a stream or river where the current is slow and the water is still.
3. An isolated collection of underground oil or natural gas.
Real Estate: 4. Swimming pool.
Finance and Investment: 5. The total amount of capital invested by a group or organization formed for that purpose.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Ecology, Finance and Investment, Geography, Hydrology, Real Estate, Science, Water

Water that falls from the atmosphere to the earth's surface due to climatic factors, primarily in the forms of rain and snow.

Refers to the era prior to European settlement of North America, especially to the period before industrialization made it possible for these settlers to induce unprecedented ecosystem changes.

A ridge of rock, coral, or sand at or near the surface of a body of water.

A point in history that is considered to be representative of the natural conditions of an ecosystem. This point, which may be in the past or present, is chosen such that it is within the historic or natural range of variability for a particular area.

A pattern of regular or semi-regular occurrences or processes that characterizes and governs a natural system, as in precipitation regime, fire regime, disturbance regime, etc.

Definition:
1. Biology, Ecology, Forestry: A species of plant or animal existing in geographic or temporal isolation; plants or animals that exist in local areas smaller than their historic ranges, either from an earlier time period or as some of the last remaining examples of nearly extinct species.
2. Restoration: Isolated areas of ecosystems that have not been impacted by human activities and are still subject to a historic and natural disturbance regime.
3. Geology: Minerals, rocks, or other geologic structures or features that remain after the exterior material that previously covered or surrounded them is no longer there, as through erosion or chemical reaction.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Biology, Botany, Conservation and Sustainability, Ecology, Forestry and Silviculture, Geology, Management, Restoration, Science and Research

Definition: The gradual and permanent acquisition of dry, usable land due to receding waters in a non-navigable waterway.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Agriculture, Geography, Hydrology, Real Estate, Science, Survey, Water

Definition:
1. Finance: Cash or other liquid assets held back by a business to cover both anticipated and unforeseen costs and expenses.
2. Biology, Conservation, Forestry: Land that has been saved or set aside in order to preserve its natural qualities, structure, function, or composition; land where development is prohibited or only limited development may occur. Example: Forest reserve, Bio-reserve, Wildlife reserve, Watershed reserve, etc.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Biology, Conservation and Sustainability, Ecology, Finance and Investment, Forestry, Geography, Hydrology, Management, Real Estate, Restoration, Science and Research, Water, Wildlife

Definition: A natural or artificial body of water used to collect and store water for future use, usually formed by damming a free-flowing watercourse, such as a river or stream; reservoirs also serve as mechanisms to regulate and control water's flow.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Agriculture, Ecology, Geography, Hydrology, Science, Water

The outcome of an experiment conducted using the scientific method. This observed result is compared to the expected result according to the research hypothesis, and a conclusion is made about whether the results support or contradict the hypothesis.

The bank of a stream or river channel located to the right as one faces in the direction of the current (downstream).

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Geography, Hydrology, Science, Water

A main or primary drainage channel and its associated tributaries, larger than a stream.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Ecology, Forestry, Geography, Hydrology, Science, Water

The semi-impermeable and impermeable layers located at the bottom of a river or stream channel; the bottom of a river channel, beneath which water does not penetrate or penetrates extremely slowly.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Geology, Hydrology, Science, Water

Water that flows over the earth's surface; precipitation that falls to the earth, is not infiltrated, evaporated, or transpired, and exceeds the capacity of the soil or the vegetation to absorb it.
Also known as Surface runoff.

Terms, Definitions, and Concepts: Agriculture, Ecology, Forestry and Silviculture, Hydrology, Management, Pollution, Science, Water

1. The series of rational steps that leads to the proof (or disproof) of a scientific or research hypothesis. The steps are observation, which leads to the formulation of a hypothesis through abductive reasoning, followed by tests or experiments to determine the validity of the hypothesis (deductive reasoning). The observed result of the experiment is compared to the expected result, and a conclusion is made supporting or contradicting the hypothesis. 2. The scientific method is the process by which scientific facts are discovered, proven, or learned.