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Glossary

Aquifer
An underground rock formation that stores water, most commonly one that stores sufficient quantities of water for people to use.
Biodiversity
Variation of life at all levels of biological organisation on earth, including diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems.
Biofuel
Fuel that is derived from biomass (recently living organisms such as wood) or their metabolic by-products (such as tallow from cows). Biofuels are a renewable energy source.
Biosecurity
Measures taken to protect a nation’s food supply, agricultural resources, and natural environment from introduced pest species and other unwanted organisms.
Cleanfill
A waste disposal site that accepts only inert wastes such as clay, soil, rock, concrete, and bricks which, when buried, will have no adverse effect on people or the environment.
DDT
Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, an insecticide that is also toxic to humans. It can no longer be legally used in New Zealand.
De-couple
To decrease the dependency between variables. It is often used in relation to the ability of an economy to grow without corresponding increases in environmental pressure.
Ecosystem
All plants, animals, and micro-organisms in a particular area, which interact with that environment’s non-living physical factors.
Effluent
Liquid waste that enters the environment from a farm, factory, commercial establishment, or household.
Endemic
Something that is found only in its own place or region, which does not naturally occur anywhere else. It may also refer to species that breed only within a specified locality/region and are unique to that area.
Environmental indicator
A physical, chemical, or biological variable that may be used to track trends in the environment over time.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
The area of sea and seabed beyond coastal waters, from 12 to 200 nautical miles offshore.
Fish stock
Any fish, seaweed, or other aquatic life of one or more species that are treated as a unit for the purposes of fisheries management.
Forest sink
The ability of a forest to remove a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. In New Zealand, forests are the primary carbon sink.
Gross domestic product (GDP)
The value of all goods and services produced in New Zealand during a specified time period.
Hybrid vehicle
A vehicle with an internal combustion engine (petrol or diesel) which provides power to the wheels while also charging a battery. An electric motor then uses stored energy in the battery to move the vehicle at low speeds and while accelerating.
Landfill
An area for the controlled disposal of solid waste.
Maximum sustainable yield
The largest average annual catch of a fish stock that may be taken sustainably.
National environmental standards
Regulations to protect the environment and human health developed under the Resource Management Act 1991. These are binding on local authorities.
Nutrients
Chemicals needed by plants and animals for growth, especially nitrogen and phosphorus.
PM10 particulates
Airborne particles that are smaller than 10 microns in diameter (about a fifth of the thickness of a human hair).
PM2.5 particulates
Airborne particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter.
Point source pollution
Discharge of pollutants from a single fixed point, such as a pipe. Examples include discharges from wastewater treatment plants and factories.
Riparian planting
Revegetating the banks of rivers and streams to reduce erosion and pollutant run-off to the waterway.

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