Glossary (trial version)

Click on the first letter of the word/phrase you wish to look up.

Declaration on Environment and Biodiversity

also known as the “Rio Convention”, that was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992

Decomposition

metabolic degradation of organic matter into simple organic and anorganic compounds, with consequent liberation of energy

Degraded peatland

Peatland that has been affected by human activity or natural phenomena to such an extent that functioning, products and attributes are reduced along with the capacity to recover.

Discharge hydrograph

A graph or a table showing the flow rate as a function of time at a given location in a stream.

Drainage

The removal of excess surface and subsurface water from the land to enhance crop growth, including the removal of soluble salts from the soil.

Drainage base

The water level at the outlet of a drained area.

Drainage by gravity

drainage in an area with variable outer water levels, so that drainage can take place by gravity when outside water levels are low.

Drainage system

(1) A natural system of streams and/or water bodies by which an area is drained. (2) An artificial system of land forming, surface and subsurface drains, related structures, and pumps (if any), by which excess water is removed from an area.

This glossary is based up on the published glossary taken from the following publication:

Rieley, J. O. and S. E. Page, (2005), Wise Use of Tropical Peatlands: Focus on Southeast Asia, ALTERRA - Wageningen University and Research Centre and the EU INCO - STRAPEAT and RESTORPEAT Partnerships, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the publication - http://www.restorpeat.alterra.wur.nl/download/WUG.pdf (Filesize: 23.3 Mbytes)