Terrain
Terrain refers to the natural features of an area of land. It is likely to stem from terrenum. It relates to the terrenous meaning of the earth or earthly and terra which means dry land.
Geological features form part of a terrain for example rugged mountain terrains or desert terrains. There are in the region of 14 different terrains on the Earth:
- Canyon terrain remains where bodies of water erode large geological features such as mountains.
- Desert terrain is a harsh, hot, often barren, sandy landscape with little vegetation and very little water.
- Forest terrain is full with vegetation, plants and trees due to a temperate climate suited to growth.
- Glacial terrain describes large areas of glacial ice covered land or sea.
- Hilly terrain has small peaks, often formed by erosion and sediment, in clusters and with vegetation.
- Marsh terrain is low lying land that becomes water logged during different seasons often with plant growth.
- Mountain terrain describes geological peaks and rock formations often with icecaps.
- Oasis terrain describes small bodies of water located in deserts that are fertile, green and usually rare.
- Oceanic terrain is the salty water surface area which covers more that 70% of the globe.
- Open terrain might describe open areas of flat often fertile land with vegetation.
- River terrain runs alongside rivers of varying shapes and sizes, normally fertile and green or eroded rocks.
- Swamp terrain is a large area of continuous shallow water often with many creatures and plant types.
- Tundra terrain is barren land often quite cold - there are 3 types, arctic, antarctic and alpine tundra.
- Valley terrain are geological land depressions between mountains or hills, sometimes with rivers between.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Ancient woodland.
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Designated land.
- Eco-park.
- Ecological network.
- Geopark.
- Forests.
- Local Nature Reserve.
- National nature reserves.
- National parks.
- National Scenic Area NSA.
- Ramsar sites.
- Site of biological importance.
- Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
- Special protection areas.
- Types of land.
Featured articles and news
Designing sustainability and performance into buildings
Specifying and selecting sustainable resilient timber products.
Modifying wood to improve resistance to decay and movement.
A last minute, long look for built environment professionals.
The architecture of creative reuse. Book review.
Installing solar panels on listed structures.
Sustainable development global goals, history in progress?
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been."
Mike Kagioglou FCIOB named CIOB President
'Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction'
BSRIA training; a look at what's on offer
From energy management to compliance training.
TESP video warns to beware of rogue trainers.
Highlighting the slippery tactics of non-approved providers.
New Building Safety Wiki launched
Boosting awareness and understanding of the new fire safety regime.
New playbook on AI in construction published by CIOB
How to get to grips with, and the best from AI.
Digital Construction Report NBS
BIM, cloud, off-site, immersive tech, AI, twins and sustainability.
ECA learning zone and industry focus video series
From updates and amendments to circular economy, emergency lighting and much more.