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A
ABS
Australian Bureau of Statistics
ACF
Australian Conservation Foundation
acid sulphate soils
a mix of low-lying coastal clays and sands that contain sulphur-bearing compounds, which form sulphuric acidic when exposed to air.
AGO
Australian Greenhouse Office
air toxics
gaseous, aerosol or particulate contaminates present in trace amounts in ambient air, with characteristics (toxicity, persistence) which make them a hazard to human health, plant and animal life.
airshed
an area delineated by topographic or meteorological characteristics within which admitted pollutants interact.
ambient
the background or surrounding parameters occurring in the environment.
amenity
intangible environmental and social benefits such as peace and beauty.
anaerobic
without atmospheric oxygen
ANZECC
Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council
ARA
Appropriate Regulatory Authority
arboreal
living in trees
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B
BASIX
Building Sustainability Index
bioaccumulation
the process by which chemicals taken up by organisms from the environment become concentrated in body tissues.
biodegradable
Able to be broken down into simpler substances by the activities of living organisms and therefore unlikely to persist in the environment.
biodiversity
the variety of living things - the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form.
biodiversity survey
a process used to assess the biodiversity of an area.
biological control
use of organisms (predators, herbivores, parasites and disease-producing organisms) to control pests and weeds.
biological indicators
assessment of living organisms used to measure ecosystem health.
biota
living organisms
bloom
an unusually dense and visible growth of organisms (algae or phytoplankton) in water, caused by increased nutrients (e.g. phosphorus). Blooms can be toxic and generally result in reduced oxygen in the water.
blue-green algae
members of the cyanobacteria (or Cyanophyta), characterised by blue-green pigmentation and a lack of cellular organisation.
BOM
Bureau of Meteorology
Bushcare
a volunteer program that encourages people to become involved in looking after their local bushland.
bushland
an area where there is vegetation that is either a remnant of the natural vegetation of the land or if altered, is still representative of the structure and floristics of the natural vegetation. It applies to the whole ecosystem, which encompasses not only native vegetation but also the surface and subsurface soils, leaf litter, the seed bed etc.
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C
CAMBA
China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (1986). An intergovernmental agreement for the protection of migratory birds.
carnivore
flesh eating animals
catchment
the drainage basin of a water body that captures all precipitation that falls on it.
CCP
Cities for Climate Protection
CH4
Methane
Climate Change
In modern usage, refers to changes in modern climate which, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), are 90-95% likely to have been in part caused by human action.
CLM Act
Contaminated Land Management Act 1997
CMA
Catchment Management Authority
CO
Carbon Monoxide
CO2
Carbon Dioxide
coliform bacteria
a group of bacteria originating from animal (including human) intestines and used as an indicator of the sanitary quality of water.
community (ecological)
aggregation of organisms characterised by a distinctive combination of two or more ecologically related species.
contaminated land
Land in which a substance is present at a concentration above that which naturally occurs. Land that poses, or is likely to pose, an immediate or long term risk to human health or the environment.
corridors
an area of vegetation that connects one vegetated area to another (e.g. like a hallway connecting one room to another).
CRC
Cooperative Research Centre
CSIRO
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
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D
DA
Development Application
DCP
Development Control Plan
DECC
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (encompassing the Environment Protection Authority or EPA, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Resource NSW, and the Botanic Gardens Trust).
degradation
any decline in the quality of natural resources. Commonly caused by human activities.
DEWR
Department of Environment and Water Resources (Federal)
disturbance (ecological)
any discrete event in time which disrupts ecosystem structure and resource availability.
DWE
NSW Department of Water and Energy
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E
ecological community
a group of two or more ecologically related species living in a defined area.
ecological footprint
a measure of the impact of direct and indirect consumption of resources and production of wastes.
ecological sustainability
the capacity of ecosystems to maintain their essential processes and functions to retain their biological diversity without impoverishment.
ecologically sustainable development (ESD)
using, conserving and enhancing the communities resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased.
ecosystem
a functional system which includes communities of living organisms and their associated physical, non-living environment, which interact to form an ecological unit, (for example, a tidal rockpool, wetland or forest).
eight part test
an assessment to determine whether a proposed development is likely to have a significant effect on threatened species of plants and animals, ecological communities or their habitats.
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement
El Nino
a natural pattern in the ocean-atmosphere system that leads to substantial changes in atmospheric circulation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
emissions
gaseous or liquid discharge, or noise given out by a source.
EMP
Environmental Management Plan
EMS
Environmental Management System
endangered ecological communities
a group of different species living in a particular area that is likely to become extinct if threats continue.
endangered species
species or ecological communities likely to become extinct unless action is taken to remove the factors that threaten their survival.
endemic
Originating in a given area and confined only to that area.
energy efficiency
occurs when less energy is used to generate the same or higher levels of output.
enhanced greenhouse effect
refers to the expected rise in the earth's temperature due to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations from human activity.
environmental flow
the minimum amount of water necessary to maintain all ecosystem processes in a water body.
environmental weed
plants considered to be a threat to the natural environment, but are not covered by legislation.
EP & A Act
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
EPA
Environment Protection Authority (now part of NSW DECC)
EPHC
Environment Protection and Heritage Council
erosion
the loosening and transportation of sediment, usually by wind or water.
ESD
See Ecologically Sustainable Development
eutrophication
the over-enrichment of a water body with nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorous.
exotic
a plant or animal that has been introduced to a region in which it does not naturally occur.
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F
fauna
animals
feral
refers to domesticated animals which have adapted to living in the wild.
floodplain
areas subject to inundation of water by the overflow of adjacent rivers.
flora
plants
fossil fuel
any hydrocarbon deposit that may be used for fuel such as petroleum, coal and natural gas.
fragmentation
the division of habitat, which isolates species and limits gene flow. Usually caused by vegetation clearance for human activities.
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G
garden escapes
exotic or introduced species, grown in gardens that have escaped into and colonised bushland.
genetic diversity
the diversity of genes present in a given population or species.
global warming
the result of the enhanced greenhouse effect (See also enhanced greenhouse effect).
GMR
Greater Metropolitan Region
GPT
gross pollution trap - a device that captures gross pollutants, such as litter and leaves from the stormwater system, creeks and rivers.
GRCCC
Georges River Combined Council's Committee
GreenPower
electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, biomass and hydro power.
greenhouse effect
the natural warming of the earth's atmosphere as a consequence of particular gases in the atmosphere which retard the escape of heat radiation (see also Enhanced Greenhouse Effect).
greenhouse gases
atmospheric gases which have the capacity to retain heat. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour.
greywater
wastewater from the shower, bath, hand basins, laundry tubs and washing machines.
groundwater
Water derived from rainfall that infiltrates into and through the soil, flowing through a saturated zone of soil or rock.
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H
habitat
home that one lives in, or, an area that can provide enough resources to sustain a population.
HARP
Health and Air Research Program
hazard reduction burn
the deliberate and controlled burning of understorey vegetation. Used to reduce fuel loads and therefore reduce the incidence of wildfires.
hazardous waste
any harmful solid, liquid or gaseous waste product which is inherently dangerous to handle or dispose of.
herbicide
any chemical agent that destroys or inhibits plant growth.
herbivore
an animal that consumes plants.
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I
ICLEI
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
indicator
a measurable item or unit that is used to monitor and report changes.
industrial revolution
a widespread change in industrial methods towards production by machine and away from manual labour which began in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
infrastructure
essential services, utilities and facilities necessary for human communities to function.
inorganic
non living material (not containing a combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen).
intertidal
the area between the levels of low and high water tide; also the littoral zone.
invertebrate
an animal without a backbone composed of vertebrae. Includes insects, worms, mussels, snails, prawns etc.
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Established by the World Meteorological Organisation and United Nations Environment Program to assess scientific, technical and socio- economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.
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J
JAMBA
Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (1974). An intergovernmental agreement for the protection of migratory birds.
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K
key threatening process
things which harm threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or could cause other species to become threatened.
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L
landfill
place where wastes are buried in the ground.
LAQMP
Local Air Quality Management Plan
leachate
liquid containing dissolved solids which has percolated through soil or rock.
LEP
Local Environment Plan
LGA
Local Government Area
littoral zone
refers particularly to the area of the sea floor lying between the levels of low and high tide.
local provenance
of local origin.
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M
macroinvertebrate
invertebrate (animal without a backbone) clearly visible with the human eye.
macrophyte
a plant visible to the naked eye, usually particular to an aquatic habitat.
methane
a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, lighter than air, which reacts violently with chlorine and bromine in sunlight.
microorganism
a microscopic organism, unable to be seen with the naked eye.
mulch
Material placed on the soil around plants. Generally mulch is organic material such as wood chips or partly decomposed garden waste, but may be inorganic such as pebbles or aggregate.
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N
NaTHERS
National House Energy Rating Scheme
native
organisms that have not been recently introduced into an ecosystem.
natural areas
areas undisturbed by human activities.
naturalised
exotic or introduced species which have become established.
NEPM
National Environment Protection Measure
NHMRC
National Health and Medical Research Council
NO
Nitrogen Oxide
NO2
Nitrogen Dioxide
non-renewable resources
natural resources that are fixed in supply.
NOx
Oxides of Nitrogen
noxious weeds
plants considered to be a threat to human and animal health, agricultural production, and the environment, which by law must be managed.
NPI
National Pollutant Inventory
NPWS
National Parks and Wildlife Service
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O
O3
Ozone
OECD
Office of European Cooperative Development
omnivore
an organism that feeds on both animals and plants.
organic
chemical compounds based on carbon - constitutes all living or once living organisms or materials.
organic certification
when an organic certifying group (such as Australian Certified Organic) audits a business’ methods to ensure that they comply with national or international standards for organic farming and processing.
ozone
a gas made of 3 oxygen atoms. Occurs naturally in the stratosphere. See also ozone layer. where it provides protection for the earth from solar ultraviolet radiation.
ozone layer
a layer of ozone in the stratosphere which provides protection for the earth from solar ultraviolet radiation.
ozone-depleting substances
substances that destroy ozone which allows increased ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth. (See also ozone and ozone layer).
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P
pathogen
a disease-causing organism.
pesticides
any substance used to harm or kill pest organisms.
petrochemical smog
forms in the lower atmosphere through the action of sunlight on pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons.
pH
a measure of the degree of acidity or alkalinity. Expressed on a logarithmic scale of 1 to 14 - 1 is most acid, 7 is neutral and 14 most alkaline.
photosynthesis
process whereby plants and some other organisms take energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air and water and convert it into oxygen and sugars to aid growth.
plans of management
a document that outlines the most effective strategies for enhancing community use of sites and protecting the local environment.
PoEO
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
pollution
the presence of a contaminant in the environment, for example: water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution or land pollution.
POM
Plan of Management
potable (water)
fit for human consumption.
precipitation
the term given to rain, drizzle, dew, hail, snow and other forms of moisture from the atmosphere which reaches the ground.
putrescible
liable to foul decay or decomposition, especially by anaerobic bacteria.
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R
RAMSAR
commonly used name to describe the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, which was signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
rare species
species which are uncommon but which are not currently considered endangered or vulnerable.
recovery plan
a plan designed to return a threatened species, population or ecological community to a point where their survival in nature is viable.
recycle
the process where materials used in an item are re-processed into a new article.
remediation
to clean up a contaminated area to the level required for intended use.
remnant (ecologic)
a small fragmented portion of the former dominant vegetation of an area.
renewable resources
those materials that can be replaced within a reasonable time frame by natural processes.
retrofitting
a modification of existing equipment.
riparian vegetation
vegetation situated on a river or stream bank (See also riparian zone).
riparian zone
any land which adjoins, directly influences, or is influenced by a body of water.
ROC
Reactive Organic Compounds
RPI
Regional Pollution Index
run-off
any amount of precipitation which is not absorbed by the land surface and so flows across.
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S
SEDA
Sustainable Energy Development Authority
sedimentation
deposition of material away from it's site of origin. Can be organic or inorganic and usually moved by the action of water, wind, gravity or ice.
sewage
waste matter discharged to a sewerage system (see also sewerage system).
sewerage system
infrastructure for collecting treating and disposing of sewage (see also sewage).
site audit
An independent review by a site auditor, of any or all stages of the site investigation process, conducted in accordance with the Contaminated Land Management Act.
site audit statement
a certificate issued by a site auditor stating for what use the land is suitable.
site auditor
a person accredited by the EPA under the Contaminated Land Management Act to conduct site audits.
SMP
Stormwater Management Plan
SO2
Sulpur Dioxide
SoE
State of the Environment Report
species
a group of organisms which are biologically capable of breeding and producing fertile offspring.
species diversity
a measure of the number of individual species and their relative abundance in an area.
SROC
Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
SSROC
Southern Sydney Organisation of Councils
stormwater
the run-off from rainfall events.
stratification
the arrangement of a body of water into two or more horizontal layers of differing characteristics (often temperature).
stratosphere
a layer of atmosphere approximately 12-50 kilometres above the earth.
sustainable
To keep in existence or maintain for now and for future generations - particularly referring to the earth's resources (such as water, air, flora and fauna etc.).
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T
TCM (total catchment management)
the coordinated and sustainable use and management of natural resources, such as land, water and vegetation on a catchment basis.
threat abatement plan
a plan that addresses a key threatening process. This plan will outline actions to be taken identify how actions will be managed, identify responsible authorities and identify time frames, resources and costs involved.
threatened species
a species facing processes which may jeopardise the survival, abundance or evolutionary development of that species (See also key threatening process).
turbidity
a measure of the amount of suspended solids (usually clay or silt) in water.
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U
ultraviolet (UV)
shortwave radiation, invisible to the human eye, but may cause damage to humans. The UV spectrum has 3 bands UV-A, UV-B and UV-C.
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
UNFCCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
urban consolidation
policies/programs intended to increase the density of dwellings and population in urban areas to make more efficient use of the existing infrastructure.
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V
vertebrate
an animal with a backbone. Includes fish, birds, mammals, reptiles etc.
VKT
Vehicle Kilometres Travelled
VOC
Volatile Organic Compounds
vulnerable species
species that may soon become endangered if threatening processes continue.
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W
waste
Any unwanted by-products. Generally by-products of human activities, these are the materials for which we have no further use and wish to dispose of.
waste hierarchy
the levels of waste management, from most to least beneficial - avoid, reuse, recycle, reprocess and disposal.
waste stream
designated sectors of waste, i.e.. putrescible waste, recycling, garden waste, organic waste. Also municipal, commercial, industrial and construction and demolition.
waste water
water that carries waste from homes, business and industries.
water cycle
the natural cycle of water in the environment.
weeds
a plant growing out of it's natural region that has a negative impact on it's surrounding environment.
wetlands
land areas situated along water courses (both fresh and saltwater) that are inundated with slow moving or stationary water on a temporary or permanent basis.
WSROC
Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, of Which Bankstown is a part.
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