AGROVOC

Ethics are a system of moral principles and a branch of philosophy which defines what is good for individuals and society. (BBC. 2014. Ethics: a general introduction. {Cited 11 November 2024]. https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/intro_1.shtml)

A layer or combination of layers of pervious materials designed and installed so as to separates solids from fluids (liquids or gases) by adding a medium through which only the fluid can pass. (Adapted from Nijland, H.J., F.W. Croon and H.P. Ritzema, 2005. Subsurface Drainage Practices: Guidelines for the implementation, operation and maintenance of subsurface pipe drainage systems. Wageningen, Alterra, ILRI Publication no. 60, pp. 608. https://edepot.wur.nl/264729 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter)

Fly ash is the finely divided residue that results from the combustion of pulverized coal and is transported from the combustion chamber by exhaust gases. (Federal Highway Administration. 2017/ Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineershttps://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/recycling/fach01.cfm)

A foodborne disease (FBD) can be defined as a disease commonly transmitted through ingested food. FBDs comprise a broad group of illnesses, and may be caused by microbial pathogens, parasites, chemical contaminants and biotoxins. (WHO, 2015.)

Land on which the vegetation is dominated by trees or, if trees are lacking, the land bears evidence of former forest and has not been converted to other vegetation or land use. (Allen, Vivien & Batello, Caterina & Berretta, E.J. & J, Hodgson & Kothmann, M.M. & X, Li & J, McIvor & J, Milne & Morris, Craig & Peeters, Alain & Sanderson, Matt. (2011). An International Terminology for Grazing Lands and Grazing Animals. Grass and Forage Science. 66. 2-28. 10.1111/j.1365-2494.2010.00780.x. )

A process to transfer one or a few foreign gene(s) into an organism. The foreign gene can be from other species or from the same species. (The State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, FAO, 2019)

Geochemistry is the application of the science of chemistry to understanding the Earth and the universe in which it exists. (Geosciences. 2025. Geochemistry https://www.mdpi.com/journal/geosciences/sections/geochemistry)

Glyphosate is a non-selective systemic herbicide. Since the 1970s, the volume of substances containing glyphosate as an active ingredient has increased significantly, and it is widely used in combination with glyphosate-resistant genetically modified plants. (FAO. 2023. The impact of pesticide residues on the gut microbiome and human health – A food safety perspective. Food Safety and Quality Series, No. 19. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc5306en)

Cryptosporidium is an intestinal parasite infecting a variety of animals, e.g. humans, cattle, sheep, rodents, cats and dogs, but also birds, fish and reptiles (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2024. Cryptosporidiosis. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/cryptosporidiosis)

Gravel is a loose aggregation of rock fragments. Gravel is classified by particle size range and includes size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravel)

Gross margin is the percentage of revenue left over after a company’s direct costs are subtracted (i.e., the cost of producing or selling goods or services). (Adapted from Business Development Bank of Canada. 2025. https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/entrepreneur-toolkit/templates-business-guides/glossary/gross-margin)

Harvest index: The proportion of the above ground biomass (in the case of cereals) that is found in the grain, i.e. a harvest index of 33 percent results in a ratio of 2 kg straw:1 kg grain (https://www.fao.org/3/y0501e/y0501e07.htm)

Induced parturition is the deliberate initiation of labour using medical interventions, such as drugs and hormones, or other methods to control the timing of birth for management purposes, such as synchronizing births or addressing health concerns. (AGROVOC Team, 2024)