P
PaleotsunamiTsunami
occurring prior to the historical record or for which there are no written
observations. Paleotsunami research is based primarily on the identification,
mapping, and dating of tsunami deposits found in coastal areas, and their
correlation with similar sediments found elsewhere locally, regionally, or
across ocean basins. As work in this field continues it may provide important
new information about past tsunamis to aid in the assessment of the tsunami
hazard.
ParticipationOccurs when decision-making and development activities are participatory.
ParticipatoryThe quality of an approach to development and/or government in which the underlying principle is that the key stakeholders (and especially the proposed beneficiaries) of a policy or intervention are closely involved in the process of identifying problems and priorities and have considerable control over the related activities of analysis, planning and the implementation of solutions. To facilitate this approach there are a variety of participatory methods or techniques that can be used.
Participatory Activitiessee participatory.
Participatory Developmentsee participatory.
Participatory MethodsThese are methods that are used to encourage people’s participation in the processes of identifying/analyzing livelihood opportunities and problems, setting priorities and planning, implementing solutions, and monitoring and evaluating changes and impacts. They are very important for understanding livelihoods and are designed so as to promote learning and empower people in their dealings with external agencies and institutions.
PartnershipsRefers, in the SL Approach, to Partnerships in the development process.
Passenger LinerVery large ships built to transport lots of
people. They have many bedrooms (cabins) and eating areas. They are like
floating hotels.
Patch Reef A mound like or flat-topped organic reef, generally
less than 1 km across, frequently forming part of a larger reef complex
Peat Dark-brown to black, fibrous material produced by plants
which grow in marshes or bogs. When exposed on the beach face, it indicates
long-term erosion and landward barrier migration.
PebblesRounded lumps of rock. These were broken off
the cliff and made round by the waves rolling them up and down the beach.
Pelagiccapable of living any place from top to bottom in the oceanic water column; not restricted to living at the bottom.
People centeredSustainable poverty elimination will be achieved only if external support focuses on what matters to people, understands the differences between groups of people and works with them in a way that fits in with their current livelihood strategies, social environment and ability to adapt.
Perched Beach - Beach or fillet of sand retained above the otherwise normal profile level by a submerged dike or sill.
Perched Beach A beach or fillet of sand
retained above the otherwise normal profile level by a submerged dike
Photic ZoneThe zone extending downward from the ocean surface within which the light is sufficient to sustain photosynthesis. The depth of this layer varies with water clarity, time of year and cloud clover, but is about 100m in the open ocean.It may be considered the depth to which all light is filtered out except for about one percent and may be calculated as about two and a half-times the depth of a secchi disk reading.
Photogrammetry The science of deducing the
physical dimensions of objects from measurements on images (usually
photographs) of the objects
PhotomosaicAn assemblage of
photographs, each of which shows part of a region, put together in such a way
that each point in the region appears once and only once in the assemblage, and
scale variation is minimized
PierA vertical structure that support the spans of a bridge. Pier structures are sometimes referred to as jetties.
Pile - Long, heavy section of timber, concrete or metal driven or jetted into the earth or seabed as support or protection.
Pile, Sheet - Pile with a generally slender, flat cross section driven into the ground or seabed and meshed or interlocked with like members to form a diaphragm, wall, or bulkhead.
Plunge PointFor a plunging wave, the
point at which the wave curls over and falls.The final breaking point of the
waves just before they rush up on the beach
Pocket beachA beach located between two headlands
Point source pollutionpollution that is discharged from a fixed location such as the end of a pipe.
PolicyOne of the components of Policy, Institutions and Processes (PIPs), Policy can be thought of as a course or principle of action designed to achieve particular goals or targets. These tend to be broader and less specific than those of the programmes and projects used to implement Policy.
PollutantA contaminant that in a certain concentration or amount will adversely alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of the environment-includes pathogens, heavy metals, carcinogens, oxygen-demanding materials, and all other harmful substances, including dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, and industrial, municipal, and agricultural wastes discharged into coastal waters.
Polluter pays principlePolitical/economic principle stating that polluters should pay the full environmental costs of an activity. Some experts extend the principle to state that users that should pay the full social costs of an activity, but this is not universally accepted.
Polluter-pays Principle The principle adopted by
the OECD countries in 1972, requires that the polluter should bear the
costs that pollution damage or pollution control impose upon society
PollutionThe man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological, or radiological integrity of an aquatic ecosystem.
POPs(persistent organic pollutants) A diverse group of
chemicals that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web,
and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment.
A group of twelve POPs (the "dirty dozen") have been initially
selected for international action by the International Programme on Chemical
Safety (IPCS).
PortA coastal town where ships and boats come and
go.
Post project evaluationA procedure to review the performance of a project with respect to its original objectives and the manner in which the project was carried out.
potentially active beach.
Precautionary approach The essence of the approach
is expressed in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration that states "Where
there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of scientific
certainty shall not be used as a reason to postponing cost-effective measures
to prevent environmental degradation." The approach is concerned with
avoiding risk that has not been assessed, i.e. uncertainty
Present value PVThe value of a stream of benefits or costs when discounted back to the present time.
Primary productionThe amount of plant life produced in a given area or environment
Primary waste treatmentA process that removes material that floats or will settle in sewage, accomplished by using screens to catch the floating objects and settling tanks for heavy matter, and often including chlorination; removes of about 30% of BOD and less than half of metals and toxic organics.
ProbabilityThe likelihood of some event occurring.
Problem formulationThe first phase of ecological risk assessment, which includes a preliminary description of exposure and ecological effects, scientific data and data needs, key factors to be considered, and the scope and objectives of the assessment. This phase produces the risk hypotheses, conceptual model and analysis plan, around which the rest of the assessment develops.
Process approachAn approach to interventions in which broad objectives for change may be identified and agreed but the exact means by which these objectives will be achieved may, at the outset, be unknown and unknowable. Such interventions are approached in an exploratory mode. Implementation takes place in successive, defined, iterative stages with future activities being planned in the light of results gained as implementation proceeds.
ProcessesOne of the components of Policy, Institutions and Processes (PIPs). ‘Processes’ attempts to capture the dynamic element of policies and institutions and avoid a ‘snapshot’ approach. It refers to how things are done rather than what is done. It also refers to the ways policies and institutions change and/or interact with broader processes of change.
ProgramA programme is a set of activities designed to achieve a specific purpose. The term may describe a mix of projects, training and capacity building, budgetary support and policy dialogue. A programme may focus on a region – such as southern Africa –, a country, or an area within a country. It may be multi-sectoral or focus on a single sector.
Project ScopeThe range of activities and issues addressed by a project.
Protected areaa natural area of land or water set aside by governmental action, as a right of ownership, to protect its resources from degradation.