Glossary of Wetland Terms

[Taxa–velocity of a stream]
 

Taxa (singular, taxon): categories in the biological classification system for all living organisms. Taxa are used to help organize information about the natural world.

tertiary consumer: a carnivore that feeds on other carnivores.

threatened species: a species that is close to being endangered.

tolerance: the ability to endure; resistance to toxic substances or other pollutants.

topsoil: the surface layer of soil, usually rich in humus.

total dissolved solids (TDS): dissolved and suspended solids in water; material left behind after a water sample is filtered and evaporates. Rainwater will have TDS less than 10 ppm; municipal water systems will have TDS less than 500 ppm.

total phosphorus: a test that measures all the forms of phosphorus in a sample.

toxic: a substance that is harmful or, in some cases, poisonous, if ingested or touched. A substance that damages the pristine state of the environment.

transect: a long, narrow sample study area.

trash: dry waste material, such as boxes and cans.

tree of heaven: Ailanthus altissima; an exotic invasive plant, originally from China, that grows at the wood’s edge.

tributary: a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river or stream. Usually, a number of smaller tributaries merge to form a river.

turbidity: the amount of solid particles suspended in water that cause light rays shining through the water to scatter. Turbidity is measured in nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs) or Jackson turbidity units (JTUs).

unbiased: impartial; without prejudice.

urban: pertaining to or constituting a city.

variable: a condition in a scientific experiment or observation that is subject to change. A variable factor in which change occurs naturally or is made to occur by the investigator is called the independent variable; a variable that changes as a result of change in the independent variable factor is called the dependent variable.

vegetation: plants or plant life, in general. The condition of the vegetation around a stream is a good indication of the health of the aquatic environment.

verge vegetation: vegetation that starts at the top of the stream bank and extends from the bank to the next major vegetation or land use change.

velocity of a stream: the speed and direction of the water flowing in a stream, an important factor in determining what organisms can live in the stream; measured in units such as feet/second or meters/second.

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