Glossary

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the gaseous oxides of nitrogen. Nitrogen oxides irritate and damage the respiratory system and are responsible for the formation of acid rain.

A method of fermenting food waste including meat and dairy in a sealed anaerobic container. The fermented material can then be composted quickly and effectively in a rodent-proof aerobic compost pile or wormery.

Soil conditioners are soil-improving soil additives that can increase soil fertility and soil life. Due to their low nutrient content, soil additives are not considered fertilizers.

The term “lichen” is used to describe the symbiosis between a fungus and an alga. The fine fungal threads weave around the algae or penetrate them. This enables the exchange of substances between the two life partners. The alga uses sunlight and chlorophyll to produce starch, which is the basis of life for the fungus.

In the thermohaline circulation, four of the five oceans are connected by ocean currents. The circulation is caused by differences in temperature and salt.

Cellulose and lignin are components of the cell walls of plants. At around 50 percent, cellulose is the main component and is therefore the most common organic compound. Lignin is deposited in the cell walls and leads to wood formation, also called “lignification”, of the cell wall.

The troposphere is the layer of the earth’s atmosphere closest to the ground. Most of the weather occurs in this layer.

Red lists provide information about the endangerment status, the endangerment factors and the measures to protect the species in certain regions.

Expanded shale consists of crushed shale. The grains have a plate-like shape and are very light.

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.

The goal of green manure is to improve the soil. Certain plants are left in the field or planted for this purpose and then incorporated into the surface of the soil or used for mulching. This improves soil life, builds up humus, protects the soil from erosion, improves the supply of nitrogen to the following

Reduction is a chemical reaction in which a substance gains electrons. In return, another substance gives up the electrons and is oxidised in the process. The reduction is therefore a partial reaction of a redox reaction.

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.

Fertilisers containing nitrogen as the main nutrient element for plants. Nitrogen is considered the most important form of fertiliser and is taken up directly by plants in the form of nitrate, ammonium and urea. There are limitations on the amount of nitrogen fertiliser that should be used, as high levels of nitrate leaching endanger the

All atmospheric circulation systems are summarized under the term “planetary circulation” (also called general, planetary or global circulation). The weather dynamics in the earth’s atmosphere are determined by their interaction.

Recycling means the treatment and reuse of waste for new products.

Boards planed on the front, levelled on the back and edged on the sides, which have tongue and groove joints.

Carbon monoxide is a chemical compound made up of carbon and oxygen. The molecular formula is CO. Carbon monoxide is odourless and colourless and very toxic. It is formed during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing substances.