Depreciation 
The gradual transfer of the initial cost of a fixed asset, from Capital Expenditure, such as an item of machinery, e.g. a ride-on mower, from the Balance Sheet to the Profit and Loss Account. The amount of depreciation shows how much an asset has lost of its value. For example, if an item of machinery was purchased for £25,000 and was valued as having a life span (or economic life) of 5 years, this would mean it would depreciate in value over 5 years, but the actual amount of depreciation would depend on the method used: typically either Straight Line Depreciation or Reducing Balance Deprecia
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Digital Ecosystem
A distributed and adaptive open socio-technical system. It has properties of self-organization, scalability and sustainability and has been inspired by natural ecosystems.
Diminishing Returns
The decrease in the rate of increase of an output due to a specific input. The application of nitrogenous fertilisers is a good example of where this occurs. With an initial application of nitrogen fertiliser there is often a significant increase in grass growth, however, as more fertiliser is added the growth rate and overall mass of vegetation reduces to very small gains for each additional input of nitrogen.
Direct Service Organisation
Direct Service Organisation
A term used primarily in the 1990s to describe a local authority department involved with the delivery of a contracted service, such as grounds maintenance work. The DSO would be contrasted with that of a private contractor who may have been successful in tendering for a particular contract. The term primarily arose due to the requirements of the Local Government Act 1988.
Directly Employed Labour
A term used primarily in the late 1980s and early 1990s to describe employees of a local authority, in contrast to staff of a contractor, used for grounds maintenance or other work. The term primarily arose due to the requirements of the Local Government Act 1988.
Downtime
Non-productive time when a system is not working, equipment is not being used or when staff are resting from work.
Drainage Benefits
There can be many benefits by having an area which is adequately drained; these can include:
• A drier surface;
• A rootzone with more air present for micro-organism activities;
• A surface which is more playable for longer periods of time;
• A reduction or elimination of match cancellations;
• Improved grass rooting, especially depth of rooting;
• A soil which is quicker to warm up, especially in springtime;
Drainage Layout
A plan of a pipe drainage system. The main layouts are Grid and Herringbone. Lesser used ones are Fan and Contour.
Drainage Problems
Common problems, many of which are interconnected, can arise from new and existing drainage systems.
Typical problems during installation and subsequent causal issues with the drainage can include:
Eat the Frog Technique
A time management technique which involves starting the day identifying and prioritising tasks.
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