Glossary

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

 SACCO

Statistical Analysis of Computer Code Outputs.

 Scale

Difference in spatial extent or over time or in magnitude; critical determinant of Vulnerability, Resilience etc.

 Scenario

A plausible description of a situation, based on a coherent and internally consistent set of assumptions. Scenarios are neither predictions nor forecasts. The results of Scenarios (unlike forecasts) depend on the boundary conditions of the Scenario.

 Sensitivity

Refers to either: the Resilience of a particular receptor to a given Hazard. For example, frequent sea water Flooding may have considerably greater impact on a fresh water habitat, than a brackish lagoon; or: the change in a result or conclusion arising from a specific perturbation in input values or assumptions.

 Sensitivity Analysis

The problems encountered in Flood Risk management often involve many sources of uncertainty and the propagation of uncertainty through a cascade of Models. This then results in a problem of deciding how to reduce the dimensions of the problem to a manageable computational requirement. One way of doing so is to carry out a Sensitivity Analysis (SA) of the various components in the Modelling problem ...

 Severity

The degree of Harm caused by a given Flood Event.

 Social learning

Processes through which the Stakeholders learn from each other and, as a result, how to better manage the system in question.

 Social resilience

The capacity of a community or society potentially exposed to Hazards to adapt, by resisting or changing in order to reach and maintain an acceptable level of functioning and structure. This is determined by the degree to which the social system is capable of organising itself to increase its capacity for learning from past disasters for better future protection and to improve Risk reduction measu ...

 Source

The origin of a Hazard (for example, heavy rainfall, strong winds, surge etc).

 Spatial planning

Public policy and actions intended to influence the distribution of activities in space and the linkages between them. It will operate at EU, national and local levels and embraces land use planning and regional policy.

 Stakeholder Engagement

Process through which the Stakeholders have power to influence the outcome of the decision. Critically, the extent and nature of the power given to the Stakeholders varies between different forms of Stakeholder Engagement.

 Stakeholders

Parties/persons with a direct interest (stake) in an issue — also Stakeowners.

 Standard of service

The measured Performance of a defined Performance indicator.

 Statistic

A measurement of a Variable of interest which is subject to random variation.

 Statistical inference uncertainty

See Knowledge uncertainty

 Statistical model uncertainty

See Knowledge uncertainty

 Strategic spatial planning

Process for developing plans explicitly containing strategic intentions referring to spatial development. Strategic plans typically exist at different spatial levels (local, regional etc).

 Strategy

In the context of flood risk management.
A strategy is a combination of long-term goals, Aims, specific targets, technical measures, policy instruments, and process which are continuously aligned with the societal context.

 Susceptibility

The propensity of a particular receptor to experience Harm.

 Sustainable Development

Is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

 Sustainable flood risk management

involves:

- ensuring quality of life by reducing Flood damages but being prepared for Floods

- mitigating the impact of Risk management measures on ecological systems at a variety of spatial and temporal Scales

- the wise use of resources in providing, maintaining and operating infrastructure and Risk management measures

- maintaining appropriate economic activity (agricultural, in ...

 Sustainable flood risk management strategy

An approach which

- Aims to be effective in the long term, and

- can be combined ('integrated') with other international, national and regional activities (transport, environment, conservation etc.)

 System

An assembly of elements, and the interconnections between them, constituting a whole and generally characterised by its behaviour. Applied also for social and human systems

 System state

The condition of a system at a point in time.