Ecological Glossary
If the use of any of the words on this site are not clear to you, then this glossary will explain some of the more common ecological terms to you.
B
Biodigester
A biodigester breaks down waste water (both black and grey) and through the degradation process, produces clean water, a slurry that makes an excelent fertiliser, and gas that can be used for a number of different activities, including cooking, heating and lighting.
Biofuel
This is the name given to the fuel that is produced by a biodogester and can be used as a substitute for natural gas and propane.
C
Carbon offsetting
This is the act of undertaking activities that will offset the damage caused by the release of carbon into the environment by either an individual or a business. It usually involves the planting of enough trees in a sustainable forest to remove the same amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that the person or business will add to the environment through their own activities.
Companion planting
See symbiotic planting
Composting toilet
A composting toilet contains and controls the composting of excrement and toilet paper. A properly installed composting toilet can break waste down to around 20% of its original volume, removing organism that cause human disease from the waste matter, and providing a usable fertiliser at the end of the process. They can heavily reduce, or remove altogether, the need for water to flush the toilet as well.
Coppicing
Coppicing is a traditional method of managing woodland. Young tree stems are repeatedly cut down to almost ground level so that in subsequent years, new shoots will emerge, each eventually growing into a trunk of its own. Coppicing maintains trees at a juvenile stage, and a regularly coppiced tree will never die of old age.
E
Earthship
An earthship is a sustainable home that theoretically draws on the earth for all of its power, heating and lighting requirements. They are traditionally made from old tyres filled with earth and packed together, with plaster or adobe filling the gaps to make the wall smooth.
F
Flowforms
Flowforms are water features that move deoxygenated water in such a manner as to agitate it so that the oxygen level within the water itself is increased - making for healthier water that can better support life.
G
Geothermal pump
A geothermal pump is a heating system that consists of pipes buried below ground. The natural warmth of the earth heats the contents of the pipes, and when this heat is required in the home, it is pumped into the heating system - warming the house by using the earth's natural energy.
P
Permaculture
Permaculutre is an approach to designing human communities and agricultural systems that are similar to those found in natural ecologies. The word is taken from joining 'permanent' with 'agriculture' and the aim is to train people to build self-sufficient human settlements that stop destroying the earth's ecosystems
Perpetual Garden
Our perpetual garden will take the form of an eco-dome where it will be possible to grow tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs all year round, in Cork! Our aim is to prove that such tropical treats need not be flown vast distances at great cost to the environment, and can instead be produced on a much more local level.
Photovoltaic panels
A photovoltaic panel uses solar energy in order to generate electricity for domestic and commercial use. The energy can be transferred and used in this fashion with photovoltaic panels, unlike more traditional solar panels which are most effective for heating water on the site itself, rather than generating power for use elsewhere.
Polytunnel
A polytunnel is similar to a greenhouse, but they can be more efficient and can considerably extend the growing season. It is constructed from a metal skeleton and a polythene sheet which allows 90% of light through, and diffuses it to ensure that it is evenly distributed within the polytunnel.
Pumped hydro plant
Pumped hydro plants generate electricity by using water from one reservoir to power a turbine as it flows into a lower reservoir. In this manner, the electricity generated at offpeak times, such as overnight, by other renewable sources such as wind farms, can be used to power the pump to return all the water to the higher reservoir. Then, during the day, when there is a greater need for that electricity, the water can be released, generating power at a time when it is more likely to be needed.
R
Rainwater harvesting
This is a method of storing and using rainwater that falls on the land of either an individual residence or a business and reusing it for a variety of purposes - including irrigation and drinking water.
Reed beds
Reed beds are traditionally found in floodplains, but they can also be artificially created. As a habitat for different varieties of reeds, they are often used as a way of cleaning grey water as the reeds remove pollutants, leaving cleaner water behind as a result.
Solar showers
A solar shower does pretty much what one would expect - it uses solar energy to heat the water supply that is used for the shower. The cost is much less than using gas or electricity to heat the water
S
Solar thermal panels
Solar thermal panels utilise the sun's energy and transfer it as thermal energy to heat water for use in baths, showers, swimming pools and such like. They are different from photovoltaic panels which convert solar energy directly into electricity.
Sustainable living
Sustainable living is a concept whereby individuals or societies try to reduce their use of the earth's natural resources. Those who practice sustainable living usually try to minimise their carbon footprint by using alternative methods of transport, energy consumption and diet, among other things. The aim is to live in natural balance with the earth, so that we are not taking earth's resources without replacing them.
Symbiotic planting
This is a method of planting crops that grow in harmony with each other and can take different forms. It may be some plants grow well together because they provide nutrients that the other feeds off, or the size and shape of one plant may provide a windbreak to enable the other to grow. Alternatively, one crop may attract wildlife that keeps away the creatures that would normally feed on the other, eliminating the need to use pesticides.
T
Timber frame houses
Timber frame houses have many advantages over traditional building techniques. Not only are they better for the environment (as they encourage the growth of trees for lumber that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere) but the frames can also be erected very quickly indeed. They are strong structures, built to last, and because of the way the weight of the building is distributed throughout the frame, it is possible to have very large rooms that would not be possible with a more traditional building technique.
W
Wormery
A wormery is a home too hundreds or thousands of worms who will eat biodegradable waste and turn it into nutrient-rich natural fertiliser. They are easy to construct, and can be a great way to help maximise the growth potential in anyone's garden!