Ecological Concepts 
Ideas, considerations and understandings of the interactions and inter-relationships with and between ecological processes, ecosystems and the management of ecosystems.
Ecological Niche
The range of conditions and resources over which a species can continually exist. There are many often interrelated variable factors which influence an ecological niche, and it can be considered a multi-dimensional space of relationships (called an n-dimensional hypervolume).
The competitive ability of a species to successfully extract required resources within an environmental space will be a major driver in determining abundance of the species within a niche, along with its impact on co-existence with one or more other species.
Ecology
The study of the interrelationship between organisms and their environments. Understanding the ecology of a turf grass system is essential if a sustainable turf grass surface is to be produced.
Ecosystem
An interconnected community of organisms living within the same environment. A relationship exists between the different organisms, from higher plants to micro-organisms, typically ranging from symbiotic to antagonistic, and the abiotic factors, such as soil pH, soil moisture, available nutrients, temperature, etc.
The soil ecosystem within a turfgrass system is constantly being impacted in a negative way through intensive maintenance practices and the routine use of artificial materials, especially pesticides. This creates conditions which reduce the overall competitiveness of the desirab
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Ectomycorrhiza
Ectotherm
An organism which relies on external sources of heat for temperature change. Examples include algae, fungi, plants, insects, amphibians and reptiles. Compare with endotherm.
Electrocide
The use of electricity to control weeds.
Element
A chemical element consisting of just one type of atom. For example, Phosphorus, Potassium, or Nitrogen.
Endodermis
An inner layer of cells which encloses the vascular bundle in roots and stems, being absent in the latter in woody plants. The Casparian strip is located within the endodermis of roots.
Endophyte
An organism which lives inside the tissues of another, growing between plant cells; being the leaves and stems of plants, not roots. This might be for all its life, or for just part of its lifecycle. Typically, this is a bacterium or fungus. Endophytes often live in a mutually beneficial (that is symbiotic) relationship with a host plant. There is no external mycelium (unlike Mycorrhizae) to interconnect the endophyte with the outside environment. There are numerous examples of endophyte-infected turfgrass cultivars of Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue. The claimed benefits of endophyte-infec
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