aquifer – geological formation of permeable rock, gravel, or sand containing or conducting groundwater

barrens – also known as shrubland, are derived by drought-induced landscape-level fires in woodlands or savannas.

benthic organisms – organisms living on or in the benthon (bottom) of a lake

best management practices (BMP) – a measure used to control the adverse stormwater-related effects of development. BMPs include structural devices (e.g., swales, infiltration basins, and detention basins) designed to remove pollutants, reduce runoff rates and volumes, and protect aquatic habitat.  BMPs also include non-structural urban site design measures such as minimizing impervious surfaces, utilizing native landscaping, and establishing buffers along streams, lakes, and wetlands. Finally, BMPs include institutional measures such as public education efforts to stop dumping of household chemicals into storm drains.

biotechnology – the use of living organisms or other biological systems in the manufacture of drugs or other products or for environmental management.

bog – glacial relict wetlands restricted to hydrologically isolated kettles.

buffer – strip of land along a stream, lake, or wetland planted with native vegetation. The width of the buffer is measured from the ordinary high water mark of the perennial or intermittent stream, lake or pond, or the edge of a wetland. Development within buffers is typically limited to improvements such as piers or docks necessary to allow access to the water.

calcareous – groundwater where tufa (recrystallized calcium and magnesium carbonate deposits) forms.

channel – any river, stream, creek, brook, branch, natural or artificial depression, ponded area, flowage, slough, ditch, conduit, culvert, gully, ravine, wash, or natural or manmade drainage way, which has a definite bed and bank or shoreline, in or into which surface or groundwater flows, either perennially or intermittently.

detention basin – a facility designed to temporarily store runoff either on, below, or above the ground surface, accompanied by controlled release of the stored water.

erosion – the general process whereby earth is removed by flowing water, wave action, or wind.

fen – created and maintained by the continuous flow of mineralized groundwater

filter – layer of fabric, sand, gravel, or graded rock placed between bank revetment and soil for the following purposes: 1) to prevent the soil from moving through the revetment by piping, extrusion, or erosion; 2) to prevent the revetment from sinking into the soil; and 3) to permit natural seepage from the streambank, thus preventing the buildup of excessive hydrostatic pressure.

floodplain – a relatively level, continuous area adjacent to a lake or stream channel which is submerged during times of flood; and natural depressions including wetlands which are periodically inundated by stormwater.

floodway – the channel and that portion of the floodplain adjacent to a stream or watercourse which is needed to convey the anticipated existing 100-year frequency flood discharge with no more than a 0.1 flood increase in stage due to any loss of flood conveyance or storage and no more than a ten percent increase in velocities. In some cases, the floodway may include that portion of the floodplain containing 90% of the floodplain storage volume. Floodways can be calculated based on either existing or future land use runoff condition.

graminoid – containing a formation of Sphagnum peat

greenway – scenic trail or route set aside for recreational activities

heronry – place where a colony of herons breeds

hydric – pertaining to, or adapted to a wet or moist environment

hydrologic budget – the components of atmospheric water which include precipitation, evaporation, surface runoff, subsurface runoff, and groundwater recharge.

impervious surfaces – manmade or natural materials through which water, air or roots cannot penetrate and which prevents the movement of surface water down to the water table.

littoral zone – the region of freshwater lake beds from the sublittoral zone up to and including damp areas on shore.

mainstem – the principal course of a river

marsh – hydrologically cyclical wetlands dominated by emergent reed, graminoids, cyperoids, and aquatic plants. Basin marshes occur in glacial kettles, potholes and swales, most often found in community complexes with savannas or prairies. Streamside marshes are restricted to the floodplains of creeks and rivers.

meanders – a meander in a river consists of two consecutive loops, one flowing clockwise and the other counter-clockwise.

multi-use trail – trails that allow more than one type of recreational use, i.e. hiking, biking, cross-county skiing

native vegetation – plants that are inherent and original to an area

nonpoint source pollution – pollution which has no single discharge point or origin. Pollutants are usually comprised of sediment, organic compounds, toxic metals and various pathogens. Sources of nonpoint source pollution typically include urban and agricultural runoff and effluent from septic systems and landfills.

pervious surfaces – areas that can be penetrated by moisture

panne – unique interdunal wetlands on calcareous moist sands of the lake plain within one mile of Lake Michigan.

point source pollution – pollution which is discharged from a single point or structure. Most often, a point source is a pipe delivering effluent from a wastewater treatment facility or industrial facility.

prairie – area dominated by grasses on mineral soil. Trees may be present, but less than 10% of the area has a tree canopy.  Four natural communities: fine-textured-soil prairie, sand prairie, gravel prairie, dolomite prairie.

riparian zone – bank area of a river or other body of water

riverine – situated or dwelling beside a river

runoff – water which moves through the landscape, either as surface or subsurface flow, which originates from atmospheric precipitation, initially in the form of rain or snow.  Runoff is that portion of the hydrologic budget which produces surface water in streams, lakes, and wetlands.

savanna – wooded community with graminoid groundcover.  Two natural communities:  fine-textured-soil savanna and sand savanna.

sedge – any rushlike or grasslike plant of the genus Carex, growing in wet places.

sedge meadow – sedge dominated grasslands with wet prairie grass co-dominants on organic or sand substrates.

seep – a small spring, pool, or the like, where liquid from the ground has oozed to the surface.

sinuosity – a curve, bend or turn.

wetland – area with saturated or flooded soils fro all or most of the year. This condition excludes or greatly reduces oxygen availability to plant roots and soil dwelling animals and decomposers.  This oxygen deficiency is the most important factor determining the function and composition of wetlands. Important factors differentiating the six wetland natural communities recognized are fire frequency, water source, water chemistry, and topographic location.  Wetland types:  marsh, bog, fen, sedge meadow, panne, and seep & spring.


Glossary in printable pdf file