Section 1 Study Set C

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the Site Analysis lecture glossary.

Accuracy

Closeness of observations, computations, or estimates to true or accepted values.

Aerial

Of, pertaining to, or occurring in the air or atmosphere.

Aerial Photograph, Oblique

Photo taken with the camera axis between horizontal and vertical; high oblique shows the horizon, low oblique does not.

Aerial Photograph, Vertical

Photo made with the camera’s optical axis approximately perpendicular to the earth’s surface.

Algorithm

Step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, often given as words, notes, or flowcharts.

Alluvium

Material deposited by running water, forming floodplains and alluvial fans.

Altitude

Elevation above or below a reference datum, usually mean sea level.

Analog

Form of data display in graphic form such as curves.

Aquifer

Subsurface material that stores and readily transmits groundwater.

Area

Bounded, continuous two-dimensional space that may or may not include its boundary.

Aspect

Compass direction a slope faces; degrees clockwise from north.

Attribute

Defined characteristic of an entity, e.g., topographic slope.

Attribute Value

Specific quantity or quality assigned to an attribute, e.g., 15 % slope.

Band

Specific frequency or range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Baseflow

Portion of streamflow contributed by groundwater, steady even during dry periods.

Berm

Low, linear mound of earth or soil.

Buffer

(1) Protective zone around a wetland or lake; (2) zone of set distance around a map feature in GIS.

Cadastre

Parcel-based land information system.

Carrying Capacity

Development density or use an environment can support without undesirable degradation.

Characterization

Delineation or representation of essential site features or qualities.

Choropleth Map

Map of areas showing qualitative or quantitative phenomena, often mosaic-like.

Climate

General or representative atmospheric conditions of a place.

Clustering

Development concept grouping buildings to leave large contiguous open space.

Coefficient of Runoff

Number representing the proportion of rainfall converted to overland flow for a surface.

Color-Infrared Film

Film sensitive to visible and near-infrared wavelengths (≈0.4–0.9 µm).

Concentration Time

Time for rain falling at basin edge to travel to the outlet.

Constraint

Built or natural feature that poses an obstacle to proposed land uses.

Contour

Imaginary ground line connecting equal elevations above or below a datum.

Contour Interval

Elevation difference between adjacent contours.

Control Point

Station in a control system identified on a photo for data correlation.

Coordinate System

Reference system for uniquely defining location of any point on earth.

Crown Diameter, Visible

Apparent diameter of a tree crown on a vertical aerial photograph.

Data Set

File(s) containing related geometric and attribute information.

Datum

Reference system for measuring another attribute, such as location.

Decibel (dB)

Unit of sound loudness based on air pressure produced by noise.

DEM (Digital Elevation Model)

Topographic surface stored as regularly spaced x,y,z coordinates.

Design Storm

Rainstorm of specified intensity and recurrence used for stormwater design.

Detention

Stormwater strategy storing runoff onsite for later controlled release.

Development Density

Measure of land-use intensity, e.g., dwelling units or impervious cover per area.

Digitization

Conversion of a photo, map, or image into numerical format.

Discharge

Rate of water flow past a section, expressed as volume per unit time.

Discharge Zone

Area where groundwater seepage and springs are concentrated.

Disturbance

Environmental impact causing physical or biological change, e.g., forest clearing.

DLG (Digital Line Graph)

Digital vector representation converted from maps and sources.

DOQ (Digital Orthophotoquadrangle)

Rectified digital image combining photo detail with map geometry.

Drainage Network

System of stream channels connected hierarchically.

Drainage Basin

Area contributing runoff to a stream, river, or lake.

Easement

Right-of-way for limited public or quasi-public use of private land.

Ecosystem

Community of organisms linked by energy flow and their environment.

Ecotone

Transition zone between two vegetation groups.

Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

Energy propagated as interacting electric and magnetic fields.

Elevation

Vertical distance from a datum to a point on earth’s surface.

Endangered Species

Species in imminent danger of extinction in all or much of its range.

Environment

Aggregate conditions affecting existence or development at a site.

Environmental Site Characterization

Representation of all conditions and influences at a designated site.

Environmental Assessment

Preliminary study of a project’s potential environmental influence.

Ephemeral Stream

Stream that flows only during or just after rain or snowmelt; no baseflow.

Erosion

Removal of rock or soil by water, wind, or other agents.

Eutrophication

Increase of biomass in water body leading to infilling and loss of open water.

Evapotranspiration

Loss of water from soil via evaporation and plant transpiration.

Feasibility Study

Planning study to identify the most appropriate site use.

Filtration

Pollutant removal as water passes through soil, organic, or fabric media.

Floodway Fringe

Zone lightly inundated by the 100-year flood per U.S. policy.

Floor Area

Total area of all floors of a building.

Footprint

Ground area covered by a building.

Geocoding

Assigning a digital map feature an attribute value such as location.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Mapping system for analysis and management of overlapping spatial patterns.

Geomorphology

Science of land and submarine relief features and their origins.

Georeference

Establish relationship between map coordinates and real-world coordinates.

Geospatial Data

Information on geographic location and characteristics of features and boundaries.

Geostationary Satellite

Satellite that remains fixed over one earth area by orbiting with the planet.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Satellite-based NAVSTAR system providing passive navigation and positioning.

Global Coordinate System

Network of latitude and longitude lines using degrees, minutes, seconds.

Gradient

Slope or inclination of land, streams, roads, etc.

Ground Truth

Data obtained on the ground to aid interpretation of remote sensing.

Ground Resolution

Terrain area covered by a sensor’s instantaneous field of view.

Ground Data

Field-collected data supporting interpretation of airborne imagery.

Groundwater

Water occupying the saturated zone below the soil-water zone.

Habitat

Local environment providing resources for an organism.

Hardpan

Hardened soil layer from accumulation of colloids and ions.

Hazard Assessment

Evaluation of dangers to land use and people from environmental threats.

Horizon (Soil)

Soil layer formed by particle and chemical differentiation.

Hydric Soil

Soil saturated most of the year, often organic.

Hydrograph

Graph showing change in stream discharge over time.

Hydrologic Cycle

Planetary water movement from oceans to atmosphere to land and back.

Impervious Cover

Hard surfaces like asphalt that limit infiltration and increase runoff.

Infiltration Capacity

Rate at which ground material absorbs water through the surface.

Infrared Image

Image acquired in wavelengths ~0.7 µm and longer.

Infrared Film

Film recording near-infrared radiation up to about 0.9 µm.

Infrared Radiation

Long-wave radiation between ~3 and 100 µm; includes near-infrared 0.7–3 µm.

Isopleth Map

Map using lines that connect points of equal attribute value.

Lacustrine Wetland

Wetland associated with standing water bodies like lakes and ponds.

Land Cover

Materials such as vegetation or concrete that cover the ground.

Land Use

Human activities occurring on an area, e.g., agriculture or residential.

Layer (GIS)

Spatial data of a common type or theme in a GIS.

Legend

Explanation of symbols, colors, and styles on a map.

Lithosphere

Solid part of the earth, distinct from atmosphere and hydrosphere.

Lot

Parcel or tract of land established by plat or law.

Lot Frontage

Portion of a lot adjacent to a street.

Magnetic Declination

Angular deviation between magnetic north and true north.