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Glossary
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A-Z Glossary
Food sustainability depends on a healthy
environment, and that comes from making informed choices! Learn how you can become more environmentally aware!
Email us at info@foodshedproject.ca
with your questions on food sustainability.
Biodegradable: Degrades
naturally to produce environmentally-friendly components.
Bioregion: A natural region defined by
its ecological coherence. Each bioregion has a distinct set of geological
formations, climatic conditions and ecology.
Bioregionalism: The belief that human
communities should be fully integrated with the particular bioregion
they occupy. A good example is the Ozark Area Community Congress (OACC).
The OACC is founded on the principle of 'political economy', which
means that political decisions must be bioregionally orientated, and
so operate according to ecological laws. Political bioregionalism is
another way to describe this form of government, and it works within a
foodshed framework, and food sovereignty, system of beliefs.
Biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given
ecosystem, and is used as a measure of health of a biological system.
The biodiversity of life has evolved from 3.5 million years of
evolution on planet Earth. Environmental impacts, such as
climate change and global warming, can negatively impact biodiversity
because of increased seasonal variability and changes within ecosystems.
Carbon Dioxide: An atmospheric gas
that is capable of absorbing radiation in wavelengths similar to the
heat producing long-wave radiation emitted by the Earth. CO2 therefore
acts as the Earth's blanket, keeping in terrestrial radiation and
causing the natural greenhouse effect. Without CO2 in the atmosphere,
our planet would freeze up and with too much and it warms up. An
excess of CO2 from carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels is called the "enhanced greenhouse effect" and
it is contributing to global warming and climate change.
Companion Planting: A system of garden planning that maximizes the
characteristics of specific plants to attract pollinators, repel
harmful insects, or trap other types of insects.
Carcinogen: A proven cancer causing agent.
Climate System: The Climate
System is comprised of five main components:
- the atmosphere
- the ocean
- the cryosphere (snow and ice)
- the biosphere
- the geosphere
Processes that regulate the transfer of energy
between these systems determines how global warming will change our
climatic weather patterns.
Composting: Composting is
the purposeful biodegradation of organic matter, such as yard and food
waste. Decomposition is preformed by micro-organisms, including
bacteria, yeasts and fungi. There are a wide range of organisms
that contribute to the process, depending on temperature conditions
and the stages of organic breakdown. The end point is a
chemically stable product called humus. The breakdown of organic
material can either be anaerobic or aerobic, with aerobic being the
process that most home gardeners are looking to achieve. Aerobic
composting requires a balance of nitrogen
(greens - fruit scraps, plant trimmings, houseplants cuttings, egg
shells, and small amounts of grass ) and carbon (brown - leaves,
straw, dried grass), moisture, and air, within the mixture.
Cultivar: Plants that are selected for
specific properties, such as color, shape, or some other feature.
Cultivar names may be one or two words, and are always set apart by
quotation marks. Iris siberica "Butter and
Sugar" is an example of a Siberian iris cultivar. The genus
would be Iris and the species would be siberica.
Cultivars are selected, bred, and propagated by breeders. A
cultivar is not the natural variation that distinguishes it within the
species.
Dew Point Temperature (°C):
The dew point temperature in degrees
°C,
and is a measure
of the humidity of the air. It is the temperature to which the air would
have to be cooled to reach saturation with respect to liquid water.
Saturation occurs when the air is holding the maximum water vapour
possible at a specific temperature and atmospheric pressure.
DEET: Diethyl toluamide - used as an
insect repellant. Can irritate eyes and skin. It is easily absorbed by
the skin and damages the nervous system. Do not use full strength on
children, who have a higher surface to volume ratio than adults. Try
some of the new botanical products first. Contact your
local health unit if you are unsure about procedures to take against West Nile virus -
remove any
sources of standing water as an important first step (see: Integrated
Pest Management).
Diatomaceous Earth: Ground up skeletal
remains of marine organisms are called diatoms. They are a natural way
that you can kill garden slugs. It works by penetrating the exoskeleton, causing
dehydration. Implementing proper integrated pest management
systems can assist to monitor plants and reduce infestations early
before they spread.
Dioxins: Dioxins are highly toxic
chlorinated compounds that are the by-product of incineration or
chlorine bleaching. Dioxins are a carcinogen, and the cause of many negative
health impacts.
Ecological footprint: The ecological
footprint of a given population is "the total area of productive
land and water required on a continuous basis to produce the resources
consumed, and to assimilate the wastes produced, by that population,
wherever on Earth the land (and water) is located" (Rees 1997).
Ecosystem: A living biological web of
inter-related organisms that function to maintain a balance between
all of the biological, chemical and physical attributes of the system.
If it often used to describe the holistic interconnectedness of all
existence on Earth because all ecosystems, and the plant-animal food
webs that are dependent on climate.
Food Miles: The calculated distance in miles that food
travels from the farm to your plate. It is estimated that the
average North American meal travels between 1500 to 1500 kilometers
before being consumed on our dinner plates. Refer to the FoodShare
- Fighting Global Warming at the Farmers Market report for
more definitions and food miles calculations.
Food Security: According a Position Paper of the Canadian Home
Economics Association on Food Security, having food security means
that "Access to food is available to all people, at all times, in
order to have an active, healthy life". Food security also
encompasses household, community, national and global levels.
Food also needs to be available, accessible, affordable, culturally
and environmentally appropriate.
Foodshed: A conceptual definition to
describe sustainable food systems, defining the origins and
destinations of food within a particular bioregion. See the Wisconsin
Foodshed Research Project at the University of Wisconsin.
Also: A restrictive definition would have the foodshed of a city
correspond with the area next to a city whose food production is
largely destined to supply the city in its daily food needs. A more
encompassing definition has the foodshed of a city to include
"all the areas that supply food products to it: local, rural, or
foreign." A foodshed can be defined for each food group, and the
ecological resources required to feed the population is an indicator
of the sustainability of the diet.
Fair Trade: A
trading process that involves a cooperative association that ensures
that marginalized and disadvantaged world producers and farmers
receive sufficient compensation for goods and produce. Usually
associated with the coffee
industry, and identified with the Fair
Trade logo.
Fumigant: A
chemical used to as a solvent to propel pesticides.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's):
GMO's are created when genes are transferred from one organism to
another - to create a new type of unnatural organism.
Gaia Theory: The
Gaia Hypothesis, proposed by Lynn Margulis and James Lovelock, is the
theory is that the earth is a self-regulating environment. All the
living organisms and the inorganic material of the planet are part of
a dynamic system that regulates conditions to support life.
Growing Degree Days: Growing degree
days, or GDD, are used to estimate the growth and development of
plants and insects during the growing season. They are calculated in
much the same manner as CDD but with different base temperatures. The
basic assumption is that development will only occur if the air
temperature exceeds some minimum developmental threshold or base
temperature. The increase in development is also assumed to be close
to linear in relation to an increase in temperature or heat energy
accumulation. The base temperatures are determined experimentally and
are different for each organism.
Greenhouse Gases (GHG's):
Gases which are measured in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents.
Carbon dioxide is the most widely dispersed gas in the atmosphere, and
it absorbs long wave radiation (see Greenhouse Effect). CO2 is
used as a standard to compare other gases, such as methane and CFC's
(chlorofluorocarbons - which also cause ozone depletion). These
are considered more "potent" greenhouse gases, though they
are not as abundant as CO2 in the atmosphere. Natural
Resources Canada (NRCan) and Environment
Canada, have sections on their website on climate change, and how
it relates to various types of GHG's.
Greenhouse Effect: Long-wave
radiation is heat. Short-wave radiation comes from the sun, but as it
is absorbed by the Earth's surface it is reradiated as long-wave.
Long-wave radiation is then captured by water vapor, carbon dioxide,
and other components of the atmosphere. Once absorbed, the
long-wave radiation is then re-radiated out again in all directions,
including back to Earth. This causes the temperature of the Earth's
surface and atmosphere to rise.
Green Roofs: Roof
top gardens, which result in significant environmental gains, such as
increased insulation values in winter with increased cooling values in
summer. Downloadable manual available at: PWGSC_GreeningRoofs_wLinks.pdf
Heating Degree
Days: Heating
degree-days for a given day are the number of Celsius degrees that the
mean temperature is below 18°C. If the temperature is equal to or
greater than 18°C, then the number will be zero. For example, a day
with a mean temperature of 15.5°C has 2.5 heating degree-days; a day
with a mean temperature of 20.5°C has zero degree-days. Heating
degree-days are used primarily to estimate the heating requirements of
buildings.
Heavy metals: Dense
metals with a high relative atomic mass. This includes lead, arsenic,
zinc, mercury, and cadmium. These metals are found in many soils, and
you should always get your soil tested before you grow your own
garden. Many heavy metals, such as mercury, can be transferred
to the baby in pregnant women. For more
information on "fetal toxicants" purchase: Having
Faith: An Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood. (Perseus
Publishing, Cambridge).
Humidex: The humidex is an
index (a computed value as opposed to something measured) devised to
describe how hot or humid weather feels to the average person. The
humidex combines the temperature and humidity into one number to
reflect the perceived temperature. It takes into account these two
important factors that affect summer comfort. It is therefore a better
measure of how stifling the air feels than either temperature or
humidity alone.
Humus: Degraded
organic material in soil, which causes some soil layers to be dark
brown or black. Humas is formed when the organic material has
reached a point of stability, where it will not break down any futher.
Physically, it helps the soil maintain water by increasing
microporosity and assists in the formation of good soil structure.
Humas is dark and spongy, and is the last stage in the composting
process. Humas retains nutrients for plant use, whether they are
positively or negatively charged compounds. Hence, it retains
nutrients more in more forms than clay can. Also, humas shares
nutrients with plants, whereas not all nutrients in clay are available
to plants. Humas also acts to moderate soil temperature because
it holds water, which means it is slower to heat up and to slow down.
Irrigation:
The rate of irrigation should not exceed the infiltration rate
otherwise soil erosion will occur. Ensuring that water has
sufficient time to infiltrate is essential. Infiltration is
dependent on the type of soil in the garden or lawn. In a course
textured soil, water must be applied close to the plant because the
movement is downward. Another example is with clay soils, where
irrigation is best between the rows, as the water will have a tendency
to move outward.
Lindane: The pesticide Lindane
is an organochloride insecticide and fumigant.
Mutagen: A
substance that can alter genetic material resulting in changes that
can be inherited.
Net Zero: A
zero energy building (ZEB) or net zero energy building is a general
term applied to a building
with a net energy consumption of zero over a typical year. This can be
measured in different ways (relating to cost, energy, or carbon
emissions) and, irrespective of the definition used, different views
are taken on the relative importance of energy generation and energy
conservation to achieve energy balance. Although zero energy buildings
remain uncommon in developed
countries, they are gaining in importance and popularity. The
zero-energy approach is promoted as a potential solution to a range of
social and environmental issues, including reducing carbon
emissions, reducing dependence on oil
power, fuel imports, and the use of fossil
fuels in general, and providing a measure of energy
security against future energy
crises. Most definitions do not include the emissions generated in
the construction of the building and the embodied energy of the
structure which would usually invalidate claims of reducing carbon
emissions. (From Wikopedia)
Neurotoxin: A
substance that causes damage to the central nervous system.
Organic food:
Food that is produced
without pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics,
artificial additives, food coloring, ionizing radiation, and is not
genetically modified in any way (such as with terminator
genes).
Open Pollination: Open pollination is done naturally by
insects, birds, wind or other mechanisms. Open pollinated plants
will produce new generations of those plants, however because breeding
is uncontrolled, my result in plants with a variety of genetic traits.
Open pollination increases biodiversity.
Perched Water Table:
A perched water table occurs when two dissimilar soil texture
classes are laid one on top of the other. A barrier forms between the
layers because the pore size are different and the pores do not line
up so water can not move in the capillaries from one soil texture to
the other. The water percolates through the upper layer but the second
layer will not begin to wet until the first layer is saturated,
creating a perched water table. This phenomena occurs in
flowerpots if the bottom is clay or plastic, and if a dissimilar
soil is added without being thoroughly mixed in.
Phthalates: Chemical compounds that
are used as plasticizers. These compounds cause health effects such as
endocrine disruption, kidney or liver damage.
Round-Up: The
most commonly used pesticide in the world - Round-Up
- Glyphosate
Renewable energy effectively utilizes natural resources
such as sunlight,
wind, tides
and geothermal
heat, which are naturally replenished. Renewable energy
technologies range from solar
power, wind
power, and hydroelectricity
to biomass
and biofuels
for transportation. (From Wikopedia). Renewable energy is
"clean" - producing few or no hazardous emissions or
pollutants, and having minimal impact on fragile ecosystems. Other
links to the five main types of renewable energy: hydro,
biomass,
geothermal,
solar
and wind.
Rhizosphere
is the narrow region of soil that is directly influenced by root
secretions and associated soil microorganisms. It is teeming
with bacteria that feed on sloughed-off plant cells, termed rhizodeposition,
and the proteins and sugars released by roots. The protozoa and
nematodes that graze on bacteria are also concentrated near roots.
Thus, much of the nutrient cycling and disease suppression needed by
plants occurs immediately adjacent to roots.
Self-reliance: A
self-reliant community or city exploits to the fullest its own local
resources, assets, and capacities to satisfy its own food needs,
thereby reducing as much as possible its dependence on imports.
Self-sufficiency:
Food self-sufficiency refers to complete
independence from imports to cater to a community or city's food
needs, a goal hardly achievable even under the most optimistic
scenario.
Social Capital: Human
life and values can be defined as social
capital. Defining the biological demands of human life
also falls under the discipline of human
ecology.
Systems Theory: Systems
Theory sees our world in terms of 'systems', where each system is a
'whole' that is more than the sum of its parts, but also itself a
'part' of larger systems. For example, a cell is more than just a pile
of molecules and itself is a part of larger systems eg. an organ. An
organ is on one level a whole in itself, but on another, it is a part
of a system at the level of an individual person. A family and a
community can both be seen as 'systems' where the 'parts' are people.
Sustainable Agriculture: A term used to define agricultural
processes that operate within the limits and principles of natural
ecosystems. A more vegetarian based diet is important in
the development of sustainable food system.
Subsistence vs
self-provisioning: Subsistence
production was a term coined through research on peasant economies and
rural societies largely isolated from market forces. In such
economies, producers earmark most of their output for their own
consumption. There is only minimal trade. In urban agriculture, the
term has been applied to designate any portion of an urban producer's
food output that they dispose of through non-market channels,
including direct supplies to their own household. This usage has been
criticized as inappropriate in urban settings, where a market economy
prevails; here, food is both produced and consumed at source and
does have
monetary value (cost and benefit), and any effort to secure it at a
lower cost than priced potentially brings cash savings. Instead, in
urban agriculture, the term "self-provisioning" is
increasingly used.
Sustainable Diets:
A dietary guideline that contributes to
personal health as well as to the sustainability of the food and
agricultural system (Gussow and Clancy - 1986). This refers to foods
that are produced, processed and distributed locally. FYI-
Local foods, such as those grown and sold to restaurants from farmers
markets in France, created the unique culture of French cuisine.
Sustainable Food Systems: A
sustainable community food system is a collaborative network that
integrates sustainable food production, processing, distribution,
consumption and waste management in order to enhance the
environmental, economic and social health of a particular place.
Farmers, consumers and communities partner to create a more locally
based, self-reliant food economy. One of the most important aspects of
sustainable community food system projects is that they increase
resident participation in supporting local agriculture and to adjust
their diet to one that is more locally-based.
UA: Urban
agriculture. There are many definitions of UA. CFP
used the following: "An industry located within (intra-urban) or
on the fringe (peri-urban) of a town, a city, or a metropolis, which
grows or raises, processes, and distributes a diversity of food and
nonfood products. It (re)uses on a daily basis human and natural
resources, products, and services largely found in and around that
urban area and, in turn, supplies on a daily basis human and material
resources, products, and services largely to that urban area." Intra-urban
agriculture refers to agriculture carried out within city limits
(as defined by ratio of built-up area, population density, or
administrative boundary line). Peri-urban agriculture is
carried out beyond that city limit and outward, up to a certain point.
Where one sets the outer boundary of the peri-urban agricultural zone
will depend on the criteria used, and several have been used in past
research. But the degree of development of the local transportation
infrastructure and system tends to be key in defining the
"width" of this zone around the city (see UPA).
Variety: The variety of a plant is always indicated by
the form "var", an example is the doublefile Viburnum - Viburnum
plicatum var. tomentosum. It is a natural variation
that distinguishes it within the species.
Watershed: A drainage basin whose boundary defines how the head
waters flow into separate river systems. A catchment area where water
cycles through different systems (rain, groundwater, transpiration).
Zeolites: Natural
or synthetic crystalline substances that remove odors from the air
through an electrochemical process.
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