Category: E

ecological restoration: The process of renewing and maintaining the health of an ecosystem. Ecological restoration benefits farmers by enhancing ecosystem services and land productivity.

experimental horticulture station: An experimental farm which specializes in plants, rather than livestock. Abbr EHS. Learning from EHS research helps farmers enhance their crop production techniques.

energy balance: A series of measurements showing the movement of energy between organisms and their environment. In farming, a common use of the energy balance is to assess the ratio between the amount of energy used to grow a crop and the amount of energy that crop produces. Understanding energy balance helps farmers optimize resource use and improve sustainability.

Environmental Change Network: An association which monitors trends in climate change and produces statistics. Abbr ECN. Participation in the ECN helps farmers stay informed about climate trends and adapt farming practices for sustainability.

ethanol: A type of alcohol used as a biofuel. Producing ethanol from crops can provide renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

egg eating: A form of behavior by intensively housed poultry in which birds eat their own eggs. It may be due to eggs being broken because of thin shells. Managing egg eating behavior helps farmers reduce losses and improve egg quality.

ethylene: A hydrocarbon occurring in natural gas and ripening fruits. It is used in the production of polythene and as an anesthetic. Also called ethene. Understanding ethylene helps farmers manage crop ripening and storage.

ecotone: An area between two different types of vegetation which may share the characteristics of both, e.g., the border between forest and moorland. Ecotones can be managed by farmers to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services.

entomology: The study of insects. Understanding entomology helps farmers manage pests and protect crops.

essence: A concentrated oil extracted from a plant, used in food, cosmetics, analgesics, and antiseptics. Vanilla essence. Understanding essence extraction helps farmers in value-added production and marketing.