vocabulary Flashcards
Floodplain
area of land adjacent to stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to a certain level that experiences flooding during periods of high discharge.
Floodway
the stream channel and adjacent areas that actively carry flood flows downstream
Flood Stage
the water level in which sufficient inundation to areas is reached that threatens lives, property, commerce, or travel.
Programming
defines the projects objectives and functional requirements, including the proposed activities, area allocated for each activity, and functional or spatial relationships between those activities.
Exactions
payments made to either the local or county government to mitigate development impacts. Could be impact fees, or dedications of land for public uses depending on government.
How accurate are contours considered to be on a topographic survey?
vertical accuracy per the US National Map Accuracy Standards is one half the contour interval.
what are common street classifications
arterial, collector, and local
how do arid and barren surfaces affect temperature changes?
arid and barren surfaces permit the greatest temperature changes
Ericaceous plants
Ericaceous plants belong to the plant family Ericaceae; their key characteristic is the need for acidic soil. This term can also be used to describe any plant that likes acidic soil.
Boreal Forest
(or Taiga) vegetation composed primarily of cone bearing, needle leaved, or scale-leaved evergreen trees in regions with long winters and moderate to high annual precipitation.
Hemlock-Hardwood Forest
pine and hemlock are predominant, but this type of forest has a mix of other trees like beech, oak, maple, ash, etc.
Tropical Rainforest
hot and moist, located near equator, one of the most diverse areas of the world with plant and animal species
Temperate Rainforest
mild climate (temperate), has two seasons: one is long and wet with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, the other is short and dry with temperatures rarely exceeding 80.
Eastern Deciduous Forest / Carolinian Forest (Canadian term)
primarily deciduous or broad leafed trees
Estuary
partially enclosed body of water along the coast where fresh and salt water mix. Most productive environment on earth, and support unique plant and animal communities.
Savanna
grassland ecosystem with trees widely spaced, located frequently in transitional zones between forest and desert or grassland.
Watershed
an area of land where surface water converges to a single point at a lower elevation, usually the exit of the basin, where the water joins another waterbody such as a river, lake, or ocean.
What do anaerobic bacteria do and produce?
Anaerobic bacteria break down nutrients and produce carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia gasses
Variety (in relation to plants)
group of plants found in nature that are so different from the species that they warrant further classification
Cultivar
single plant or group of genetically identical plants that have been cultivated or domesticated by humans to maintain specific characteristics
Angle of Repose
maximum angle to which a material can be piled before slope failure
Angle of Deflection
degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load
Aspect
Direction in which a slope faces
Solar Altitude
describes the angle of the sun 90 degrees or less above the horizon
Solar Azimuth
Describes which direction the sun is, relating to east and west.
Insolation
(INcoming SOLar radiATION) measure of solar radiation energy received on a given surface at a specific time
Geomorphology
the study of landforms and the process that shapes them
Igneous Rock
minerals forming and fusing together from the cooling of magma (ex. granite, basalt, obsidian)
Sedimentary Rock
often the result of accumulation of small pieces broken off existing rocks that are compacted and cemented together (ex. shale, limestone, sandstone)
Metamorphic Rock
Any rock can become metamorphic. The rock moves to an environment where the minerals of the rock become unstable and the minerals then change to become stable again. (ex. slate, schist, gneiss, marble)
Soil Types
soils grouped according to size (sand, silt, clay)
Soil Horizons and name main horizon classifications
soil horizons generally parallel the soil surface. (top to bottom) O, organic matter; A, surface soil; E, eluvium (found in older more well developed soils); B, subsoil; C, parent rock; R, bedrock.
Mass Wasting
downhill movement of soil and rock under the influence of gravity
Epiphytes
plants that grow on other plants
Hydrophytes
plants that grow either partly or totally submerged in water
Mesophytes
plants adapted to neither a particularly wet or dry environment
Xerophytes
plants adapted to survive in environments with little water
Lithophytes
plants that grow on rocks. They feed off nutrients from rain water or decaying plant material.
Annual
Plants that complete entire life cycle in one year
Biennial
Plants requiring two years to complete their life cycle
Perennial
plants that PERsist for many growing seasons
Topiary
plants pruned, trained, or grown into ornamental shapes
Fastigiate
having erect and almost parallel branches tapering towards the top
Espalier
practice of controlling plant growth so it grows relatively flat against a structure
Water Table
underground surface below which soil and rock are filled with water
Saturation Point
the point at which no more can be absorbed
Succession
sequential development of plant or animal communities. In some environments, succession can reach a climax of a stable community.
Eutrophication
process when a water body has a high concentration of nutrients like nitrates and phosphates. This promotes algae growth which depletes the water of oxygen which can kill other organisms like fish.
What distance should be maintained between intersections on a collector street?
150 feet
Impact Assessment
the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to decisions and commitments being made.
Arable Land
Land that is ploughed or tilled regularly, generally under a system of crop rotation
What is the recommended minimum pavement width for a one-lane bike path?
5’-6” (4’ of bike lane and 1’-6” gutter)
What is the recommended amount of sitting space in a plaza?
1 linear foot per 30 SF of plaza
What is the desirable width and slope of a two-way outdoor ramp?
min. 5’ and max. 8.33%
What are the distance ranges for social interactions for the following classifications? Intimate, Personal, Social, and Public
Intimate (your body space), Personal (1.5’-4’), Social (4’-12’), Public (12’-25’)
Complementary colors
colors opposite each other on the color wheel
Value of a color
the lightness and darkness of a color
Analagous colors
colors that are next to each other on the color wheel
TDR (Transfer of Development Rights)
market based technique that encourages voluntary transfer of growth from places the community would like to see less development to places the community would like to see more development.
Site Inventory
focused process of collecting and mapping essential attribute date for the site and its context
What site data is conveyed on a topographic map?
property lines, easements, building setbacks, contours, HP/LP, vegetation, boreholes, wetlands, surface water, utilities, structures, circulation elements (curb, pavement, ROW)
Panchromatic Photography
a black and white film that is sensitive to light of all visible wavelengths, but not as sensitive to subtle variations of green
what can infrared film convey
infrared film can convey the health of vegetation
Thermal Infrared Imagery
can detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, emitted from all objects based on temperature
PUD (Planned Unit Development)
a special type of floating overlay district that can permit a developer to meet density and land use goals without being bound by existing zoning requirements
Littoral Shelf
In fresh water applications, it is the zone at the edge of lakes and rivers
Crest
the highest part of a hill or mountain range
Ridgeline
chain of mountains forming a continuous elevated crest for some distance
Toe of slope
the base of the slope/hill
