Glossary of terms
- aquatic invertebrates - animals without a backbone (e.g. insects) that spend the majority of their lifecycle in freshwater, marine of estuarine environments
- aquatic vegetation - a plant that grows partly or wholly in water
- arisings - grass cuttings left after mowing
- biodiversity - the variety of plant and animal life across the world
- biodiversity net gain - an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better condition than before
- biosecurity - measures aimed at preventing the introduction or spread of harmful organisms
- deadwood - parts of a tree or branch that are dead
- differential mowing- cutting grass to different heights and at different times
- ecosystems - a community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
- invasive non-native species- those species that have been introduced to a country by humans, whether accidentally or on purpose
- local distinctiveness- the unique character of a place
- marginal vegetation- aquatic plants found around the edges of a pond or stream
- perennial - living for several years
- principle Importance- those species and habitats that are most threatened, in steepest decline or where the UK has a significant proportion of the world total
- priority habitats and species- a range of habitats and species that were identified as the most threatened and requiring conservation action
- riparian - the edge of a river, or relating to this area
- river catchment area- the area from which water flows into or is drained by a river
- saproxylic species- those species that are dependent on dead or dying wood
- sward height - the height of the grass before it is cut
- symbiotic relationship - a close ecological relationship between two or more different species
- wildlife Corridors - a strip of natural habitat connecting areas of habitat or species otherwise separated by cultivated land, roads or buildings.