agriculture

Traditional terraces consist of nearly level platforms built along contour lines of slopes, mostly sustained by stone walls, used for farming on hilly terrain.ﾠ When properly built and well maintained, terraces can reduce erosion and surface run-off by slowing rainwater to a non-erosive velocity.ﾠ So-called traditional terracing involves less disturbance of the terrain than modern terracing, as it does not involve significant levelling or cutting using heavy machinery.ﾠ
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

The management of land to minimise soil erosion to maintain soil and water resources, and provide sustainable benefits in the long term.

Excavations, typically filled with gravel, designed to store water and allow it to infiltrate into underlying soils or aquifers.ﾠ Soakaways would typically receive point-source inflow (e.g. from roof drainage).ﾠﾠ
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Shallow, broad and vegetated channels designed to store and/or convey runoff.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Basins and ponds store surface run-off.ﾠ Detention basins are free from water in dry weather flow conditions but ponds (e.g., retention ponds, flood storage reservoirs, shallow impoundments) contain water in dry weather, and are designed to hold more when it rains.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

A gabion (from Italian gabbione meaning "big cage"; from Italian gabbia and Latin cavea meaning "cage") is a cage, cylinder, or box filled with rocks, concrete, or sometimes sand and soil for use in civil engineering, road building, and military applications.

A biophysical parameter is a measurable characteristic that can help in defining a particular system. It can cover individual substances, groups of substances or be defined by its measurement method like turbidity or the mesurement of oxygen consumption like BOD5 or COD. It is generally expressed by a value and its unit.

'Hard-edged' conveyance channels to move water between components in a SuDS 'train'.ﾠ Typically narrower than swales, but may also include vegetated aspects.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Gently sloping vegetated strips of land that provide opportunities for slow conveyance and infiltration. Designed to accept runoff as overland flow from upstream and to slow the progress of this runoff.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission

Early sowing refers to sowing up to six weeks before the normal sowing season.ﾠ This allows for an earlier and quicker development of crops and of a root network that leads to soil protection.ﾠ The period in which the soil lies bare is shorter and, therefore, erosion and run-off are less significant and water infiltration is improved.ﾠ Early sowing can also help to mitigate the extreme ETP rates typical of Mediterranean summers.ﾠ However, early sown plants are frost sensitive; therefore farmers run the risk of losing the crops because of the low temperatures.ﾠ In northern countries, temperature in spring (March) can be adequate but the risk of frost is still serious until May.ﾠ Therefore, early sowing requires specific tools (plastic tunnel covers, onsite green house, etc.) and cannot be applied by any farmers for any crops.
- Based on Stella definitions, adapted by NWRM project experts and validated by the European Commission