Glossary

Under the influence of hydrocarbons and oxygen, nitrogen can be converted into photo-oxidants with the help of solar radiation. These include ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and nitric acid. All of these contribute to air pollution.

The buffering capacity describes the amount of acid that can be absorbed by the soil’s buffering function without causing a significant change in pH.

Mapping means the graphic representation of objects and facts of the earth’s surface on maps or in plans.

Microorganisms, also called microbes, are microscopic creatures that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These include, for example, bacteria, microalgae and many fungi.

In the context of landscape planning, the term “zoning” refers to the administrative act by which something is released for public use and subject to public law.

Based on the cadastral plan (on which all properties in a municipality are marked), all areas are assigned a dedication in the zoning plan.

Synthetic fertilisers or mineral fertilisers are inorganic plant fertilisers that can be used in conventional agriculture. The most common ingredients are nitrogen and phosphate compounds.

Originally, a “pergola” was a sun protection standing on columns or pillars, which adorned the path from the house to the terrace. Today, these canopies are placed in all possible variants in different places as sun protection. They are usually overgrown with climbing plants.

Wood fibres, wood chips or bark products obtained from wood waste, which are used in potting soil instead of peat. They have good properties similar to those of peat, but no bogs are destroyed in order to obtain them.

The fauna – also called “animal world” – includes all animals and their habitat.

The term describes the grouping of particles of a certain grain size. There is no internationally valid definition. In German-speaking countries, for example, there are the fraction groups fine soil, fine skeleton and coarse skeleton, which in turn are subdivided into main fractions (e.g., clay, silt, sand, gravel).

In soil science, “siltation” refers to the displacement of soil particles through the influence of rain. The consequences are the closure of soil pores, which reduces water drainage and the filter effect, levelling, erosion and crust formation after drying. This hinders plant growth.

The top 20 to 30 centimetres of soil form the topsoil.