651
Discrete Data Data collected by regular/irregular intervals through time/space.
Note that natural phenomena occur in a continuous way. However, analytics on
discrete data is easier and more manageable than continuous data.
Distributed Infrastructure Infrastructure that is organized with a decentralized
structure comprised of many small systems to minimize the cost and risk associated with centralized systems. Compare to Decoupling.
Distributional (Distributive) Effects How policies may differentially affect different portions of the population, such as urban and rural residents, or high- and
low-income populations.
Disturbance (Ecological) An event which causes a significant temporary or longterm change in ecosystem functioning. Natural disturbances include intense
fires, floods, storms, diseases, and droughts. Anthropogenic disturbances include
the introduction of non-native species, global climate change, large-scale land
use changes, and major species predation.
Drought Worse than Drought of Record (DWDR) Drought condition under
LCRA’s 2015 Water Management Plan based on inflows, drought duration, and
combined storage, where an ongoing drought has a real likelihood of becoming
a new Drought of Record. A DWDR declaration by LCRA’s Board of Directors
would trigger action to cut off interruptible stored water and implement mandatory pro rata curtailment of water for firm demands.
Drought A period of abnormally low precipitation which results in a shortage of
water.
Dynamic System Accommodation Comprehensive strategies that capture and
adapt to the complex and dynamic nature of FEW systems and allow for adaptation to change.
Dynamics Changes through time, often expressed as rates of change.
Ecological Process Any change or reaction which occurs within ecosystems, either
physical, chemical or biological. Ecosystem processes include decomposition,
production, nutrient cycling, and fluxes of nutrients and energy.
Economies of Scale The ability to produce goods at a lower cost per unit by producing large amounts of goods either within a single process or in amalgamation
with related goods.
Ecosystem Accounting The process of constructing formal accounts for
ecosystems.
Ecosystem Diversity The diversity of ecosystems in a particular region, a component of the earth, or the earth as a whole. Ecosystem diversity is a type of
biodiversity. See Biodiversity.
Ecosystem Function A subset of the interactions between ecosystem structure
and processes that underpin the capacity of an ecosystem to provide goods and
services.
Ecosystem Health A state or condition of an ecosystem that expresses attributes of
biodiversity within “normal” ranges, relative to its ecological stage of development. Ecosystem health depends inter alia on ecosystem resilience and resistance.
Glossary
Discrete Data Data collected by regular/irregular intervals through time/space.
Note that natural phenomena occur in a continuous way. However, analytics on
discrete data is easier and more manageable than continuous data.
Distributed Infrastructure Infrastructure that is organized with a decentralized
structure comprised of many small systems to minimize the cost and risk associated with centralized systems. Compare to Decoupling.
Distributional (Distributive) Effects How policies may differentially affect different portions of the population, such as urban and rural residents, or high- and
low-income populations.
Disturbance (Ecological) An event which causes a significant temporary or longterm change in ecosystem functioning. Natural disturbances include intense
fires, floods, storms, diseases, and droughts. Anthropogenic disturbances include
the introduction of non-native species, global climate change, large-scale land
use changes, and major species predation.
Drought Worse than Drought of Record (DWDR) Drought condition under
LCRA’s 2015 Water Management Plan based on inflows, drought duration, and
combined storage, where an ongoing drought has a real likelihood of becoming
a new Drought of Record. A DWDR declaration by LCRA’s Board of Directors
would trigger action to cut off interruptible stored water and implement mandatory pro rata curtailment of water for firm demands.
Drought A period of abnormally low precipitation which results in a shortage of
water.
Dynamic System Accommodation Comprehensive strategies that capture and
adapt to the complex and dynamic nature of FEW systems and allow for adaptation to change.
Dynamics Changes through time, often expressed as rates of change.
Ecological Process Any change or reaction which occurs within ecosystems, either
physical, chemical or biological. Ecosystem processes include decomposition,
production, nutrient cycling, and fluxes of nutrients and energy.
Economies of Scale The ability to produce goods at a lower cost per unit by producing large amounts of goods either within a single process or in amalgamation
with related goods.
Ecosystem Accounting The process of constructing formal accounts for
ecosystems.
Ecosystem Diversity The diversity of ecosystems in a particular region, a component of the earth, or the earth as a whole. Ecosystem diversity is a type of
biodiversity. See Biodiversity.
Ecosystem Function A subset of the interactions between ecosystem structure
and processes that underpin the capacity of an ecosystem to provide goods and
services.
Ecosystem Health A state or condition of an ecosystem that expresses attributes of
biodiversity within “normal” ranges, relative to its ecological stage of development. Ecosystem health depends inter alia on ecosystem resilience and resistance.
Glossary