Glossary

A guide to acronyms (and abbreviations), words and phrases used throughout the Environment Canterbury website. Look in the 'By Subject' tab to find groups of terms relevant to a specific topic.

Some terms might have definitions in addition to those in this glossary.

Use the online Māori Dictionary to help with translating words between Te Reo Māori/English.

Backflow: the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distributing pipes of a water supply from a source or sources other than intended. Back-siphonage is one type of backflow.

Backflow preventer: a device used to prevent water pollution or contamination in irrigation systems.

Background concentrations of hazardous substances: many hazardous substances are naturally present as trace elements in the environment, at background concentrations. When the concentrations of these substances exceed certain values in soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water or air, they can present a risk to human health or the environment.

Ballance Farm Environment Awards: recognises and celebrates good farm practices which promotes sustainable land management through an annual awards programme.

Bed material: boulders, stones, gravel, sand, silt and associated materials present in the beds of rivers.

Berm: elevated land between stopbanks and the main channel fairway designed to protect the stopbanks.

Bioaccumulation: the uptake of a substance (usually toxic substance) from the environment and from food, that is stored long-term (accumulates) in the tissues of living organisms.

Biodiversity: biological diversity (biodiversity) describes the variety of all biological life: the different species, fro micro-organisms to trees, animals and fungi; the genes they comprise; and the ecosystems they collectively form. This includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Biodiversity Pest Programme: seeks to protect biodiversity values in targeted areas by reducing or eliminating the threats imposed by certain plants (and animals).