Permaculture Glossary
ABSORPTION: Ability of soil to hold water or nutrients
ADAPTED SPECIES: Plants or animals that thrive in a given environment
AMENDMENTS: Additives to the soil that improve its structure and fertility
BERM: Small hillock that captures water runoff
BIOMASS: Accumulation of biological materials above and below the ground
COMPOST: Well rotted plant material used to improve soil fertility and water holding capacity
CONTOUR: A line in a landscape connecting points along the same elevation
DETENTION: An area that holds water for short periods of time
HABITAT: Natural home of an organism
HUMUS: Well decomposed organic material in between the mineral soil and the mulch
INFILTRATION CAPACITY: Ability of soil to absorb water
INVASIVE SPECIES: An introduced species that adapts very well to local conditions displacing previously existing species either plant or animal
MULCH: Undecomposed organic materials including wood, leaves and hay used to preserve soil moisture and fertility
NATIVE SPECIES: Plants or animals that exist in a certain region
ORGNIC FERTILIZERS: Usually amendments rich in nitrogen
PERMEABLE PAVING: Hard surfaces that provide stable walkways and allow water access to the underlying ground
PERMEABILITY: Ability of a substrate to allow the passage of water
RAIN GARDEN: A depression that will act as a temporary water retention site, usually planted with species adapted to both dry and wet conditions
RETENTION: An area that holds water for long periods of time
SWALE: Small ditch that allows runoff water to infiltrate into the ground