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Structure (System Science) The relationships between different parts of a system
and between its parts and external systems. Structure establishes the potential for
function and the pathways of functional interaction. Structure is typically fixed
or slowly varying, especially when based upon infrastructure, and creates and
constrains the pathways and options by which a system can achieve its purposes.
Substitutability The extent to which human-made capital can be substituted for
natural capital (or vice versa).
Supply Chain Management (SCM) An integrative approach to planning and controlling material flows from suppliers to end-users that aims to enhance system
performance through the coordination of manufacturing, logistics, and materials management within the entire supply chain network. SCM encompasses the
entire value chain and addresses materials and supply management from the
extraction of raw materials to the end of a product’s useful life as well as disposal, recycling, and reuse.
Supply Chains The sequences of steps in the production and delivery of goods
and services.
Supporting Ecosystem Services Ecosystem services that are necessary for the
maintenance of all other ecosystem services. Some examples include biomass
production, production of atmospheric oxygen, soil formation and retention,
nutrient cycling, water cycling, and provisioning of habitat (MA 2005a).
Sustainability A characteristic or state whereby the needs of the present and local
population can be met without compromising the ability of future generations or
populations in other locations to meet their needs (MA 2005a).
Surface Water Freshwater that flows on the surface of the earth, such as in streams
and lakes.
Survey A census method for collecting data, especially usage, production, or transportation data.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) A set of managerial practices
that include impact assessment within a framework of triple bottom line outcomes
(i.e., social, environmental, and economic) and a consideration of all stages across
the entire value chain for each product and the entire product life cycle.
Sustainable Use (Ecosystems) The use of ecosystems in a way that benefits present generations while maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations
of future generations.
SWAT (Model) The Soil and Water Assessment Tool is a small watershed to
river basin-scale model used to simulate the quality and quantity of surface and
groundwater and predict the environmental impact of land use, land management
practices, and climate change. SWAT is widely used in assessing soil erosion
prevention and control, non-point source pollution control and regional management in watersheds.
System A system is a set of things that connected in a way that creates some unified whole.
Technology Adoption The uptake of new technologies, such as electric vehicles
or solar energy, as a strategy for adapting to changes in natural FEW systems.
Glossary
Structure (System Science) The relationships between different parts of a system
and between its parts and external systems. Structure establishes the potential for
function and the pathways of functional interaction. Structure is typically fixed
or slowly varying, especially when based upon infrastructure, and creates and
constrains the pathways and options by which a system can achieve its purposes.
Substitutability The extent to which human-made capital can be substituted for
natural capital (or vice versa).
Supply Chain Management (SCM) An integrative approach to planning and controlling material flows from suppliers to end-users that aims to enhance system
performance through the coordination of manufacturing, logistics, and materials management within the entire supply chain network. SCM encompasses the
entire value chain and addresses materials and supply management from the
extraction of raw materials to the end of a product’s useful life as well as disposal, recycling, and reuse.
Supply Chains The sequences of steps in the production and delivery of goods
and services.
Supporting Ecosystem Services Ecosystem services that are necessary for the
maintenance of all other ecosystem services. Some examples include biomass
production, production of atmospheric oxygen, soil formation and retention,
nutrient cycling, water cycling, and provisioning of habitat (MA 2005a).
Sustainability A characteristic or state whereby the needs of the present and local
population can be met without compromising the ability of future generations or
populations in other locations to meet their needs (MA 2005a).
Surface Water Freshwater that flows on the surface of the earth, such as in streams
and lakes.
Survey A census method for collecting data, especially usage, production, or transportation data.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) A set of managerial practices
that include impact assessment within a framework of triple bottom line outcomes
(i.e., social, environmental, and economic) and a consideration of all stages across
the entire value chain for each product and the entire product life cycle.
Sustainable Use (Ecosystems) The use of ecosystems in a way that benefits present generations while maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations
of future generations.
SWAT (Model) The Soil and Water Assessment Tool is a small watershed to
river basin-scale model used to simulate the quality and quantity of surface and
groundwater and predict the environmental impact of land use, land management
practices, and climate change. SWAT is widely used in assessing soil erosion
prevention and control, non-point source pollution control and regional management in watersheds.
System A system is a set of things that connected in a way that creates some unified whole.
Technology Adoption The uptake of new technologies, such as electric vehicles
or solar energy, as a strategy for adapting to changes in natural FEW systems.
Glossary