Glossary W

The Environmental Glossary. Letter W +++ Popular Articles: 'Water', 'Waste', 'Weather'

A watershed is the land area that drains water to a particular stream, river, or lake.

Deutsch: Wasserweg / Español: Vía acuática / Português: Via aquática / Français: Voie aquatique / Italiano: Via d'acqua

In the environment context, a "waterway" refers to any body of water that supports ecosystems and provides pathways for water movement within various landscapes. These include rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and ocean currents that play crucial roles in ecological and hydrological systems. Waterways are vital for maintaining biodiversity, supporting aquatic and terrestrial life forms, and facilitating natural processes such as nutrient cycling and sediment transport.

Deutsch: Wetter / Español: Clima / Português: Clima / Français: Temps / Italiano: Meteo /

Weather is the specific condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. It is measured in terms of such things as wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, and precipitation.

Deutsch: Wettervorhersage / Español: Pronóstico del tiempo / Português: Previsão do tempo / Français: Prévision météorologique / Italiano: Previsioni del tempo

Weather forecasting is the scientific process of predicting atmospheric conditions for a specific location and time. It involves the use of data collected from satellites, weather stations, and other instruments to model and predict future weather patterns. In the environmental context, weather forecasting is essential for planning daily activities, protecting lives and property, and understanding climate patterns.

Deutsch: Unkraut / Español: Maleza / Português: Erva daninha / Français: Adventice / Italiano: Piante infestanti
A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, "a plant in the wrong place". Examples commonly are plants unwanted in human-controlled settings, such as farm fields, gardens, lawns, and parks.

Deutsch: Gewicht / Español: Peso / Português: Peso / Français: Poids / Italiano: Peso /

In the environmental context, 'weight' refers to the measure of the force exerted by an object due to gravity. It is an important concept when considering the impact of various factors on the environment. Weight can influence the distribution of resources, the stability of ecosystems, and the management of waste and pollutants.

German: Brunnen
A well is a Hole sunk into the ground to Reach a supply of water

Deutsch: Wohlbefinden / Español: Bienestar / Português: Bem-estar / Français: Bien-être / Italiano: Benessere

Well-being in the context of the environment refers to the state of overall health, comfort, and happiness that individuals or communities experience as influenced by their surrounding natural environment. It encompasses both physical and mental aspects, highlighting how access to clean air, water, green spaces, and a balanced ecosystem contribute to the quality of life.

A Wellhead Protection Area is the area surrounding a drinking water Well or Well field which is protected to prevent Contamination of the well.

Deutsch: Nassdeposition / Español: deposición húmeda / Português: deposição úmida / Français: dépôt humide / Italiano: deposizione umida

Wet deposition in the environmental context refers to the process by which atmospheric pollutants are removed from the air and deposited to the Earth's surface in the form of precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or fog. This process is a key component of the atmospheric deposition of pollutants, which includes both wet and dry deposition.