Glossary (trial version)

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Oligotrophic peat

Peat with a low mineral content.

Ombrogenous peat

Peat that depends entirely on rainwater for its growth.

Ombrotrophic

receiving nutrients exclusively from precipitation

Open drain

A drain with an exposed water surface that conveys drainage water.

Organic soils

Soils with a high content of composed or decomposed organic carbon and a low mineral content.

Outlet

The terminal point of the entire drainage system, where it discharges into a major element of the natural open water system of the region (e.g. river, lake, or sea).

Overland flow

Water flowing over the soil surface towards rills, rivulets, channels, and rivers. It is the main source of direct runoff.

Oxidation

Oxidation is the volume reduction of peat above the groundwater level resulting from loss of organic matter due to decomposition by biochemical processes. It starts as soon as peat becomes unsaturated and air enters. It results in CO2 emission.

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)