Glossary

• Field distribution and structuring (size, shape, orientation, continuity or fragmentation) resulting especially from processes of land consolidation or the merging of holdings.

• Arrangement of soil horizons, from the surface (seed‑bed, mulch) down to the maximum or potential depth reachable by roots, including the upper and lower limits of the cultural profile. 

• Organization of crops and agronomic practices (rotations, catch crops, cover crops) that are embedded within this spatial and soil framework. 

This concept enables the evaluation of the conditions in which crops and the living communities of a field develop, as well as the possibilities for agroecological optimisation at the scale of an observation station or an agricultural watershed

Decision support system: A coordinated assemblage of people, devices or other resources that analyzes, typically, business data and presents it so that users can make business decisions more easily.

Diagnosis: Identification of the nature and cause of a problem or a disease.
Dicots: A plant with two cotyledons. One of the two major classes of flowering plants (along with the monocotyledons). Examples include many crop plants (potato, pea, beans), ornamentals (rose, ivy) and timber trees (oak, beech, lime).

Diet composition: The set of elements (feedstuffs, ingredients, additives, and nutrients) that are combined according to a rational calculation to form a ration—that is, the precise blend of commodities intended to satisfy the nutritional requirements of a livestock animal or a human population.
Digestion: Digestion is the process of mechanically and enzymatically breaking down food into substances for absorption into the bloodstream.

Diploid: An organism or cell whose chromosome number comprises two complete sets (2n), i.e., two copies of each chromosome of a species. In teosinte, the diploid number is 2n = 20, the same as in maize, whereas tetraploid forms possess four sets (2n = 40).
Direct seeding: An agricultural technique that involves planting a crop directly into plant cover without first tilling the soil. There are two types: one where the cover is destroyed and its biomass is left on the soil surface, and one where the cover is kept alive.

Drinking: The action of consuming liquids, usually water or other beverages, by ingesting them through the mouth.
Dung: Excrement from the intestines, containing unabsorbed solids, waste products, secretions, and bacteria of the digestive system.

Dung and urine removal: A set of practices and techniques aimed at removing, transporting, treating, or valorising animal excreta (manure, slurry, and urine) from livestock areas in order to prevent environmental contamination, reduce health risks, and promote the reuse of these organic inputs (composting, fertilisation, etc.) within a framework of sustainable resource management and bio‑security.

Genetics: The science that is concerned with the study of biological inheritance.

Geological features: Attributes or properties of the rock substrate and soil of a given area, encompassing its mineral composition, texture, structure, age, origin (formation, tectonics, sedimentation), as well as the physical and chemical processes that shape it. These features influence the pedoclimatic conditions, fertility, water‑holding capacity, and, more broadly, the adaptation of organisms (plants, animals, humans) to their local environment.

Goat: A hardy domesticated ruminant mammal that has backward-curving horns and (in the male) a beard. It is kept for its milk and meat, and noted for its lively behaviour.

Grass quality: The set of agronomic, nutritional, and sensory characteristics of a grass or pasture that determine its value for animal production. It includes the available biomass, botanical composition (species diversity), protein content, fiber (cellulose, lignin), mineral and energy content, digestibility, and palatability. These attributes directly influence the productivity, health, and performance of livestock as well as the sustainability of farming systems.
Grasses: A very large and widespread family of Monocotyledoneae, with more than 10.000 species, most of which are herbaceous, but a few are woody. The stems are jointed, the long, narrow leaves originating at the nodes. The flowers are inconspicuous, with a much reduced perianth, and are wind-pollinated or cleistogamous. The fruit in single-seeded, usually a caryopsis. Grasses are the most important of all species for food and feed.
Grassland: Biome found in regions where the average annual precipitation (ca. 25–76 cm) is sufficient to support the growth of grasses and other herbaceous plants but generally insufficient to support continuous tree cover. In wetter regions grassland is maintained as a result of grazing by herbivores.

Grassland connectivity: The degree of spatial interconnection among different parcels or strips of permanent grasslands, which facilitates the movement of organisms (herbivores, pollinators, beneficial species), genetic flow, the circulation of ecosystem services (food provision, soil‑ and water‑regulation, carbon sequestration), and the resilience of the pastoral network within agro‑ecological systems.

Grassland cutting schedule: A pre‑established temporal program that defines the periods for cutting (mowing) permanent grasslands. It is set according to agronomic indicators (grass height, phenological stage, leaf number, species composition, length of rest period) and production objectives (quantity and quality of the forage), as well as the preservation of ecosystem services (soil protection, carbon sequestration, biodiversity). The schedule aims to optimise the use of the grassland while limiting losses due to trampling and refusals, and it is incorporated into low‑input livestock systems and agro‑ecological practices.

Grassland diversity: The collective variety of living organisms—mainly plants—that compose a grassland, encompassing genetic, species‑level, and agroecosystem diversity, together with their interactions with other taxa (insects, microbes, etc.). This diversity constitutes a resource for the quantity and quality of forage production, the conservation of wild species and the maintenance of habitats for associated wildlife.

Grassland fertilisation: The set of nutrient inputs (organic, mineral, or mixed fertilizers) applied to a permanent grassland in order to maintain or optimise its forage productivity, biodiversity, and ecological balance. It includes: 
1. Agronomic objectives: support grass growth, ensure the availability of high‑quality forage for grazing and cutting, and preserve plant species richness. 
2. Practices: application of fertilisers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, secondary nutrients) according to soil and vegetative‑cover needs, taking into account the phenological stage of the plants and the resting period of the grassland. 
3. Environmental impacts: moderate fertilisation promotes floristic diversity and soil life; intensive fertilisation, especially mineral, can lead to a reduction in species number and impair the ecological functions of the grassland. 

In practice, grassland fertilisation is part of an integrated vegetative‑cover management system, combined with grazing, mowing and the monitoring of indicators (grass height, leaf number, floristic composition). It also constitutes a component of agricultural heritage, influencing the quality of PDO‑protected products (milk, cheese, meat).

Grassland management: A set of practices and strategies for the planning, maintenance, and renewal of permanent (or natural) grasslands aimed at optimizing both their agronomic performance (yield, quality, and early availability of forage) and their ecosystem services (species diversity, carbon sequestration, soil protection, water purification, support for beneficial insects and pollinators, and landscape aesthetics). It is particularly applied to low‑stocking‑density livestock systems, favors natural resources (unseeded or over‑seeded pastures with diverse species mixes), and uses species diversity and abundance as indicators of agronomic and environmental potential.
Grazing: Feeding on standing vegetation, as by livestock or wild animals.

Grazing animals: The collection of livestock activities and management systems aimed at obtaining animal‑origin products (meat, milk, eggs, fibers, etc.) from domestic animals. This concept encompasses animal health and welfare, soil preservation and biodiversity, the reduction of inputs (pharmaceutical, veterinary, plant‑protective), as well as agro‑ecological approaches and the “One Health” principle, seeking to reconcile economic performance, environmental sustainability, and the resilience of production systems.

Grazing and mowing practices: In agroecology, a suite of pasture‑management techniques that combine the grazing of herbivores (often in rotation – rotational grazing) with the mowing (cutting or harvesting) of vegetation. This dual approach aims to optimise forage production, preserve biodiversity, reduce tractor work, and maintain soil health by exploiting the growth phases of grasses (tillering, mowing) in a complementary manner.

Grazing design: The set of principles, methods, and planning decisions used to organize the use of herbaceous land by livestock. It includes: 
1. Dividing the grazing area into parcels of appropriate size. 
2. Defining a rotation schedule with specific grazing (presence) and rest (restitution) periods for each parcel (e.g., simplified rotational grazing ≈ 10 days, dynamic rotational grazing ≈ 1–2 days). 
3. Choosing the management mode (continuous versus rotational grazing) according to agronomic, ecological, and socio‑economic objectives. 
4. Integrating agro‑ecological concepts (ecosystem services, sustainability, respect for the natural functions of the landscape) and, where relevant, the ethical and philosophical dimensions derived from permaculture. 

In short, grazing design aims to optimise animal productivity while preserving pasture health and the resilience of agroecosystems.

Grazing efficiency: The ability of a grazing system to simultaneously achieve the targeted agronomic, economic, and ecological objectives. It is measured by the pasture capacity to:
– Maximize animal performance (growth, milk production) for a given number of livestock, 
– Optimize the use of available vegetative surface** (stocking rate, animal density, grazing duration), 
– Maintain or improve the health and biodiversity of the vegetation cover** (service plants, agro‑ecological infrastructures), 
– Preserve soil fertility and ecosystem functions** (nutrient cycling, water retention), 
– Reduce external inputs (bought forage, fertilizers, energy) and environmental impacts (erosion, greenhouse‑gas emissions).

In practice, grazing efficiency results from implementing principles such as rotational grazing, the “laws of rational grazing,” and integrated agroecosystem management. It may be expressed, for example, by tripling the animal stocking rate without pasture degradation, or by increasing milk production while conserving local biodiversity.

Grazing groups: A set of animals (typically livestock) placed simultaneously on a specified pasture parcel for a defined period as part of a rotational or dynamic grazing management system. This group constitutes the operational unit used to monitor pasture condition indicators (grass height, phenological stage, grazing pressure, rest period, etc.) and to optimize the ecosystem services provided by grazing.

Grazing management: Organisation of grazing by the farmer on an annual, seasonal or daily basis, including the allocation of plots to the different groups of animals that make up the herd.

Grazing period: The period of time during which livestock are permitted to graze a specific plot or pasture before it is rested, determined according to the grazing plan and the pasture condition indicators (grass height, phenological stage, leaf count, species present, etc.).

Grazing practices: The collection of livestock‑feeding methods that rely on grazing, encompassing particularly continuous grazing (where the herd remains on the same plot) and rotational grazing (the pasture is divided into smaller paddocks and the herd is moved among them). Rotational grazing may be “simplified,” with a stay of roughly ten days per paddock, or “dynamic,” limiting the stay to one or two days. These practices are embedded in an agroecological approach that seeks a sustainable agriculture that is economically viable, ecologically sound, ensuring social equity.

Grazing time: The period, expressed in days (or hours), during which livestock remain on a given paddock before being moved to another paddock as part of a rotational grazing system. It is one of the key indicators of grazing management, influencing the phenological stage of the grass, pasture rest, and animal stocking rate.
Ground: The top layer of the land surface of the earth that is composed of disintegrated rock particles, humus, water and air.

Habitat connectivity: Landscape connectivity is defined as the degree to which the spatial configuration of the landscape facilitates or disturbs movement, dispersal, and gene flow between habitat patches.

Habitat diversity: The variety and richness in the number and types of habitats (natural or agricultural environments) present within a given area, characterized by a diversity of physical, chemical, and biological conditions that enable the coexistence of multiple species. This diversity represents a component of biodiversity, influencing resource availability, trophic interactions, and ecosystem services.

Habitat enhancement: The term “habitat improvement” means restoring, enhancing, or establishing physiographic, hydrological, or disturbance conditions necessary to establish or maintain native plant and animal communities, including periodic manipulations to maintain intended habitat conditions on completed project sites.

Habitat maintenance: A suite of management, conservation, and restoration practices applied to natural, semi‑natural, or service habitats located within or around an agroecosystem, intended to maintain or enhance biodiversity and ecological functions (such as support for beneficial organisms, pollinators, pest regulation, and ecosystem services). These practices contribute to more sustainable, environment‑friendly agriculture.
Habitat preservation: The preservation, maintenance, protection, restoration and enhancement of habitats for wild species.
Harvest: The amount or measure of the crop gathered in a season, and collecting thanks to the harvesting.

Harvest system: A coherent set of operations, agronomic practices, techniques, and equipment organized to ensure the harvest of plant biomass at an optimal stage of maturity. It encompasses:
– Planning – determining the harvest timing based on maturity criteria; 
– Implementation – selecting appropriate cutting, threshing, sorting, and storage tools or machines;
– Logistical coordination – handling transport, packaging, and residue management.

All of these elements are integrated within a systemic perspective that aims to optimize yield, quality, and the sustainability of the agroecological system.

Health management: A coordinated set of knowledge, practices, and strategies implemented by the actors of a system (farmers, work collectives, institutions) to ensure and optimise the health of an organism or a group of organisms. It is based on a holistic and systemic approach (ecopathology, “One Health”) that integrates: 
1. Disease prevention; 
2. Strengthening resistance or tolerance to pathogenic agents; 
3. Curative care when necessary; 
4. Reduction of the use of medicinal inputs (antimicrobials, antiparasitics, etc.); 
5. Improvement of animal or human well‑being in connection with soil health, ecosystem health, and consumer health. 

This management aims to reconcile sanitary performance, environmental sustainability, and socio‑economic viability of production systems.

Heat stress: Condition in which crop performance or survival is compromised by periods of exposure to high temperatures.

Hedge pruning: Maintenance operation involving the selective cutting or trimming of the branches of a hedge (especially a composite hedge) in order to:
– maintain or improve its structure and density,
– promote regeneration and the complementary coexistence of plant species,
– optimise the ecosystem services it provides (run‑off control, wind protection, reduction of evapotranspiration, soil enrichment, production of timber or firewood, fruits, forage),
– preserve or enhance its value as a refuge and ecological corridor for wildlife,
– prevent excessive ageing or imbalance of the hedge while ensuring its durability within the context of the agro‑ecological transition.

Hedge size: A pruning or cutting operation (often applied to composite hedges) intended to control their height, density, and shape. This practice helps maintain or optimise ecosystem services (erosion control, wind‑break, habitat provision, ecological corridor), agronomic functions (soil fertility, production of wood, fruit, and forage), and the aesthetic appearance of the landscape.

Hedge width: Transverse dimension of a hedge, measured between its two outer edges (from the first twig or shrub on one side to the first twig or shrub on the other side). This measurement, expressed in meters or centimeters, characterises the thickness of the linear vegetative structure and consequently influences, in particular: 
– the capacity to provide shade and wind protection; 
– the density of vegetative strata and the diversity of habitats offered to auxiliary organisms; 
– the amount of resources produced (wood, fruit, forage); 
– the aesthetic impact and landscape integration. 

In the context of an agroecological composite hedge, hedge width contributes to the delivery of multiple ecosystem services (biodiversity, animal welfare, support to crops) and constitutes a key design criterion for the agroecological transition.
Hedgerow: A line of closely planted bushes or shrubs, marking the boundaries of a field. The type of hedge varies between parts of the country, and its age can be dated from the number of species of tree and shrub present. Over the last thirty years hedge-row removal has had a marked visual effect on lowland agricultural landscapes. From the farmer’s point of view, in areas of predominant arable or intensively managed grazing, there is little or no economic justification for retaining hedges.
Herbicide: A substance that kills or inhibits the germination, growth and development of plants. Herbicides may be synthetic chemicals, natural chemicals or biological agents.

Heterogeneity: Diversity or variability of traits within a biological or agroecological set. In agronomy, it denotes a plant population whose individuals possess different genetic/specific backgrounds while maintaining similar characteristics, thereby conferring the collective with evolutionary potential. When heterogeneity refers to the genetic diversity within a given variety/accession, it may the population from meeting the stability and homogeneity criteria required for officially recognized commercial varieties. This is especially an issue for forage grasses and legumes where most species present a open-pollination.

High-quality feed stock: A raw agricultural or food product that meets stringent agronomic, environmental, and health quality standards; it originates from a production system that controls costs (by maximizing grazing and limiting inputs), enhances ecosystem services (such as biodiversity and carbon sequestration), and is often certified by an official label guaranteeing its traceability, nutritional properties, and a positive impact on human health.

High-quality forage: Forage that meets high agronomic and nutritional criteria, characterized by a sufficient protein and energy density, good digestibility, a low content of undesirable substances (molds, toxins, contaminants), and palatability suited to the herd. It originates from well‑managed vegetative covers (pastures, forage crops, grazing areas) and/or agro‑ecological infrastructures, and contributes to the farm’s forage self‑sufficiency while supporting ecosystem services (biodiversity, carbon sequestration). Its recognition is often based on quality indicators (compositional analysis, production yields, compliance with official quality labels).

Hoof disease: In agroecology and ecopathology, a generic term for ailments affecting the hooves (nails) of livestock animals (cattle, sheep, goats, etc.). These pathologies, resulting from multifactorial interactions among the animal, its diet, its rearing environment, and management practices, are considered as “products” of the agroecosystem. They serve as an indicator of overall herd health and the sustainability of the production system.
Horse: A large plant-eating domesticated mammal with solid hoofs and a flowing mane and tail, used for riding, racing, and to carry and pull loads.
Housing: a) Dwelling-houses collectively and the provision of these. b) Shelter, lodging.

Income: The gain derived from capital, from labour or effort, or both combined, including profit or gain through sale or conversion of capital.
Infrastructure: The basic network or foundation of capital facilities or community investments which are necessary to support economic and community activities.
Injury: A stress upon an organism that disrupts the structure or function and results in a pathological process.
Insect: A class of the Arthropoda typically having a segmented body with an external, chitinous covering, a pair of compound eyes, a pair of antennae, three pairs of mouthparts, and two pairs of wings.

Intervention: An intervention is a coherent set of planned activities, intended to bring about change in a given population, sector or system.
Invasive: Species that are non-native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction and spread cause, or are likely to cause, socio-cultural, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
Investment: Any item of value purchased for profitable return, as income, interest or capital appreciation.

J

Job creation: Action or process of generating new jobs, i.e., creating paid positions within an economy, a company, an industry sector, or a project. This job creation may result from the launch of new productive activities, the expansion of existing activities, public or private investment, public employment policies, or training and professional‑integration programmes aimed at increasing the number of employed workers. 
Job satisfaction: A feeling of accomplishment, well‑being, and commitment experienced by an employee toward their work. It results from the employee’s subjective evaluation of the multiple dimensions of the job (tasks, working conditions, relationships with colleagues and management, recognition, compensation, opportunities for advancement, work‑life balance, etc.). High satisfaction promotes motivation, performance, staff retention, and mental health, whereas low satisfaction can lead to disengagement, absenteeism, and turnover.

Lameness: Lameness occurs when an animal has leg or foot pain that affects how they move.

Rain: Precipitation in the form of liquid water drops with diameters greater than 0.5 millimetres.
Redclover: Perennial fodder legume used as fodder for creating artificial and temporary grasslands. Red clover is also used as a service plant because it improves soil structure (cover crop) and enriches the soil with organic matter (green manure).
Region: A designated area or an administrative division of a city, county or larger geographical territory that is formulated according to some biological, political, economic or demographic criteria.

Regrowth: Vegetative bud and shoot elongation, either after shoot is cut or after shoot has attained sufficient maturity.
Resilience: The ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions.
Resource: Any component of the environment that can be utilized by an organism.
Riparian: Frequenting, growing on, or living on the banks of streams or rivers.
Risk: The expected number of lives lost, persons injured, damage to property and disruption of economic activity due to a particular natural phenomenon, and consequently the product of the probability of occurrence and the expected magnitude of damage.
Risk management: The process of evaluating and selecting alternative regulatory and non-regulatory responses to prepare for the probability of an accidental occurrence and its expected magnitude of damage, including the consideration of legal, economic and behavioral factors.

Rodent: A gnawing mammal of an order that includes rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, porcupines, and their relatives, distinguished by strong constantly growing incisors and no canine teeth.

Scheme: A set of coordinated and planned actions, often organized as a timetable or a computerized tool, intended to achieve a specific objective. In an agricultural context, this could be, for example, a harvest schedule programmed according to vegetable tenderness, or an action plan structuring the implementation of an environmental initiative such as the High Environmental Value (HEV) certification.

Seasonal grazing: Seasonal grazing means that grazing occurs only during part of the year on a given site.
Security: State of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk.
Seed: Originating from the development of an ovule, what is referred to as “seed” is the simplest type of seed, consisting of three essential parts: the embryo, the reserve tissues, and the integuments.
Self-sufficiency: State in which a person, being, or system needs little or no help from, or interaction with others.

Selling channel: A network of actors, infrastructures, and logistical flows that ensure the transport, marketing, and provision of agricultural or food products to consumers, typically within a defined territory. It brings together production, processing, and distribution organizations and their interrelationships.
Sheep: Domesticated animals of the species Ovis aries kept in flocks mainly for their milk, wool or meat.

Short selling: A distribution system in which the distance between producer and consumer is minimized, largely eliminating or strongly limiting intermediaries. It relies on direct sales (farmers’ markets, community‑supported agriculture boxes, producer shops, on‑farm sales, agritourism) or on local networks (buying groups, nearby‑area platforms). The short‑supply‑chain promotes the relocalisation of agriculture, enhances transparency of production methods, strengthens the economic viability of farms, creates added value within the territory, and often incorporates an agro‑ecological dimension and social‑justice considerations.
Shrubs: Woody perennial plant, generally more than 0.5 meters and less than 5 meters in height at maturity and without a definite crown.
Silage: Feed preserved by an anaerobic fermentation process in which lactic acid and volatile fatty acids (produced by fermentation) lower the pH of the silage.

Size: The magnitude of a quantity, such as length or mass, relative to a unit of measurement.
Slurry: A liquid mixture of animal faeces and urine and straw collected from stables and spread on agricultural land.
Soil compaction: An increase in bulk density (mass per unit volume) and a decrease in soil porosity resulting from applied loads, vibration, or pressure. More compacted soils (or other materials) can support greater loads (load-bearing capacity). Bulk density can be increased by controlling the moisture content, compaction forces and treatment procedures, as well as by manipulating the type of material being compacted.

Soil cover: The observed physical and biological cover of the Earth’s land surface including natural features such as vegetation, soils and waterbodies, as well as human-made features such as buildings and roads. Land cover is distinct from land use, which refers to the activities people undertake on a particular land cover type.
Soil fertility: The status of a soil with respect to the amount and availability to plants of elements necessary for plant growth.
Soil health: The capacity of a specific kind of soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation. In short, the capacity of the soil to function.
Soil organic matter: Any measurable characteristic related to the organic matter compounds of the soil.
Soil test: A set of analyses carried out on a soil sample with the aim of better understanding the physical, chemical and biological characteristics and properties of soils.

Sorghum: The word “sorghum” typically refers to cultivated sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench subsp. bicolor), a member of the grass family Poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae, and subtribe Sorghinae that is grown for its grain (grain sorghum), its sugary sap (sweet sorghum) or as a forage (forage sorghum). A variety of common names are used in different regions to refer to cultivated sorghum, including great millet, guinea corn, broomcorn, kaffir corn, durra, mtama, milo, jowar or kaoliang.
Sowing: A major operation in crop establishment that involves creating a soil profile conducive to crop establishment, planting seeds, and various other operations aimed at promoting the establishment of the crop by modifying the various components of its physical or biological environment.
Species: In sexually reproducing organ­isms, a group of interbreeding individuals not normally able to interbreed with other such groups. A species is given two names in binomial nomenclature (e.g. Homo sapiens), the generic name and specific epithet (italicized in the scientific liter­ature), similar and related species being grouped into genera. Species can be sub­divided into subspecies, geographic races, and varieties.

Spreading: Application of nutrients for the benefit of plant growth in general. It includes applications for agricultural and other purposes, including recreational and sporting facilities, public and private gardens and lawns.
Squirrel: Member of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-sized rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels (including chipmunks and prairie dogs, among others), and flying squirrels.
Storage: A series of actions undertaken to deposit or hold goods, materials or waste in some physical location, as in a facility, container, tank or dumping site.
Streamside vegetation: Plants growing in areas adjacent to rivers and streams.

Summer: The season of the year that falls between spring and autumn, characterized in the Northern Hemisphere by the longest days and the highest temperatures. It roughly spans from June 21 (the summer solstice) to September 22 (the autumnal equinox) in the Gregorian calendar.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the term denotes the opposite period, from December 21 to March 20.

Supermarket: A large‑scale retail establishment offering a very wide assortment of food products (fresh produce, grocery items, beverages, frozen goods, etc.) and everyday consumer goods (personal hygiene items, cleaning products, household articles, etc.). A supermarket is characterized by a department‑based layout, competitive pricing policies, self‑service where customers freely move through the aisles, and often additional services such as self‑checkout counters, fuel stations, and dining areas. The term refers both to the physical store and, more broadly, to the mass‑distribution model employed by local outlets or large chain operators.

Supplementation: Refers to the addition of micronutrients to a food irrespective of whether the nutrients were originally in the food before processing or not.

Supply chain: The network created amongst different companies producing, handling and distributing a specific product. It encompasses the steps it takes to get a good or service from the supplier to the customer.
Sustainable farming: A type of agriculture that applies the principles of sustainable development to the agricultural world: its goal is to enable farms to be autonomous, economically viable, ecologically sound, transferable, socially acceptable and active players in their local area. By adopting these principles, sustainable agriculture aims to enable farmers to make a decent living from their work while reducing their environmental impact and playing an active role in their local area.

Temporary grassland: Fallow that is planted with species such as grass or legumes to regenerate the soil more rapidly.

Temporary pasture: Grassland sown and composed of forage grasses, either alone or mixed with forage legumes. Grassland used for grazing or mowing to produce hay and silage. Grassland with a lifespan of 0 to 5 years. Artificial grasslands, sown exclusively with perennial forage legumes, are sometimes counted as temporary grasslands.
Transhumance: The seasonal migration of livestock to suitable grazing grounds.
Treatment: A process in which the act is intended to modify or alter some other material entity.
Tree: Any large woody perennial plant with a distinct trunk giving rise to branches or leaves at some distance from the ground.

U

Urine: Wastes removed from the blood stream via the kidneys and voided as a liquid.

Variety: A grouping of plants defined by the reproducible expression of its distinctive characteristics such as growth habit, color, size, disease resistance, or other traits. Essentially, a plant variety is characterized by its uniformity, stability, and distinctiveness from other groupings within the same species.

Vegetation: The plant cover of an area, considered generally, and not taxonomically.
Vegetation coverage: Number of plants growing on a certain area of land.

Veterinary: A person registered or licensed by the relevant veterinary statutory body of a country to practise veterinary medicine/science in that country.
Veterinary services: The combination of governmental and non-governmental individuals and organizations that perform activities to medically treat and care for animals.

Water resource: Water in any of its forms, wherever located – atmosphere, surface or ground – which is or can be of value to man.
Waterway: A river, canal, or other navigable channel used as a means of travel or transport.

Weather conditions: Atmospheric conditions at a particular time in a particular location, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, wind, and visibility. Weather conditions do not happen in isolation, they have a ripple effect. The weather in one region will eventually affect the weather hundreds or thousands of kilometers away.
Weed control: Freeing an area of land from weeds in order to limit or avoid their competition with crops. This is achieved by several means, such as herbicides, tillage, burning, mowing, and crop competition.
Wetland: Area habitually saturated with water. It may be partly or wholly covered permanently, occasionally or periodically, by fresh or salt water up to a depth of 6 metres. Wetlands include bogs, fens, wood meadows, marshland and salt marshes, shallow ponds, river estuaries, and intertidal mudflats, but exclude rivers, streams, lakes and oceans.
Wetland conservation: Strategy and processes to preserve an area that is saturated by surface or ground water with vegetation adapted for life under those soil conditions.
Wildlife conservation: A series of measures required to maintain or restore the natural habitats and the populations of species of wild fauna and flora at a favourable status.

Wildlife management: The application of science-based and local knowledge in the stewardship of wild animal populations (including game) and their habitats in a manner that is beneficial to the environment and to society.
Work time: Actual time spent working per day, week, month or year.
Working conditions: Use for the social, physical and psychological environment of human laborers.

Workload: Quantity of work, tasks, or processes that an individual, a group, a computer system, or an organization must accomplish within a given period of time. A workload can be expressed in number of operations, transactions, work hours, physical or mental work loads, and is used to assess performance, capacity, efficiency, or stress level of an actor or of an infrastructure. In ergonomics and human‑resources management, it denotes the work load assigned to an employee or a team, including the complexity, duration, and frequency of the tasks.