Scienctific terminology useful for Grounds Management

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A scale used to estimate the cover and abundance of species within a defined area such as a quadrat, being estimated from a vertical perspective. The National Vegetation Classification use the following values, where for each recorded species an estimate should be made of its quantitative contribution to the vegetation.

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A state of inactivity for an entire plant or part of a plant. This can be a useful survival strategy when stressful environmental conditions are present, for example, shortage of available water, extreme heat, very cold conditions, or a shortage of nutrients. The plant is able to conserve what internal resources it has, ideally until the return of more suitable environmental conditions when normal growth and development may then continue.

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Two types of drought are routinely experienced on turf surfaces: shorter term Agricultural drought, and the longer-term Meteorological drought.

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The ability of a plant to respond to drought conditions. This can be achieved by some of the following: closing stomata; reduced photosynthetic activity; folding or rolling of grass leaves; or reducing leaf area. All of these actions have the aim of reducing water loss. This can also be improved by a plant having an extensive root system or through a higher root to shoot biomass ratio.

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The ability of a plant to complete its life cycle before the commencement of drought conditions.

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More commonly referred to as Drought Avoidance.

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The effect of very limited available water, typically during drier and warmer periods from May to September, to maintain plant health, resulting in wilting and depression of plant growth. Drought stress can affect small, irregular shaped areas, to entire area of a sports surface.

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More commonly referred to as Drought Tolerance.

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The ability of a plant to maintain adequate turgid cells, with reduced water content, whilst still maintaining adequate cellular metabolism, so as to be able to survive from and then recover after a drought. Dormancy is another means by which a plant improves its drought tolerance.

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1. The ability of a surface to withstand physical wear and tear from usage and also its ability to resist a range of environmental conditions such as UV degradation, or heat and cold damage. 2. Longevity of a surface.