El Niño: A phase of the ocean-atmosphere oscillation in the Pacific Ocean characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and resulting in important consequences for weather around the globe; this condition typically brings rain and flooding to the U.S. Gulf states.
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO): An oscillation of the tropical atmosphere and ocean system that occurs somewhat regularly, generally every 3-7 years. The ENSO cycle includes three phases: the La Niña, the neutral and El Niño phase. The ENSO oscillation affects the global climate in various ways.
El Niño: This cycle is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. In Florida, El Niño increases the chances of above normal rainfall in the dry season.
La Niña: This cycle brings unusually cool ocean temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. In Florida, La Niña increases the chances of below normal rainfall in the dry season.
Environmental Resource Permit (ERP): A permit issued by the SFWMD under authority of Chapter 40E-4 F.A.C. to ensure that land development projects do not cause adverse environmental, water quality or water quantity impacts.
Estuary: The part of the wide, lower course of a river where its current is met by ocean tides or an arm of the sea; a water passage at the lower mouth of a river where fresh and salt water meet.
Eutrophication: The gradual increase in nutrients in a body of water. Natural eutrophication is a gradual process, but human activities may greatly accelerate the process.
Evapotranspiration (ET): Water losses from the surface of water and soils (evaporation) and plants (transpiration).
Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA): The area south of Lake Okeechobee used for agricultural production; specifically, the area extending south from Lake Okeechobee to the northern levee of Water Conservation Area 3A and from its eastern boundary at the L-8 canal to the western boundary along the L-1, L-2 and L-3 levees. The EAA comprises almost 3,000 square kilometers (1,158 square miles) of highly productive agricultural land.
Everglades Forever Act (EFA): A 1994 Florida law (Section 373.4592, F. S.), amended in 2003, to promote Everglades restoration and protection. This will be achieved through comprehensive solutions to issues of water quality, water quantity, hydroperiod and invasion of exotic species to the Everglades ecosystem.
Everglades Protection Area (EPA): As defined in the Everglades Forever Act, the EPA is comprised of Water Conservation Areas 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and ;, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge; and Everglades National Park.
Exotic Plant Species: A nonnative species that tends to outcompete native species and become quickly established, especially in areas of disturbance or where the normal hydroperiod has been altered.
Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.): The Florida Administrative Code is the official compilation of the administrative rules and regulations of state agencies.
Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services (FDACS): FDACS communicates the needs of the agricultural industry to the Florida Legislature, the FDEP, and the water management districts and ensures participation of agriculture in the development and implementation of water policy decisions. FDACS also oversees Florida's soil and water conservation districts, which coordinate closely with the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP): The SFWMD operates under the general supervisory authority of the FDEP, which includes budgetary oversight.
Florida Statutes (F.S.): The Florida Statutes are a permanent collection of state laws organized by subject area into a code made up of titles, chapters, parts and sections. The Florida Statutes are updated annually by laws that create, amend or repeal statutory material.
Floridan Aquifer System (FAS): A highly used aquifer system composed of the Upper Floridan and Lower Floridan Aquifers. It is the principal source of water supply north of Lake Okeechobee. The upper Floridan Aquifer is used for drinking water supply in parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Flow: The actual amount of water flowing by a particular point during a specified period of time. In the context of water supply, flow represents the amount of water being treated, moved or reused. Flow is frequently expressed in millions of gallons per day (MGD).
Food Web: The totality of interacting food chains in an ecological community.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): The abstract representation of natural or cultural features of a landscape into a digital database, presented in a geographic form.
Governing Board: Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District.
GPD: Gallons per day.
GPM: Gallons per minute.
Groundwater: Water stored beneath the soil surface.
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