SPECIES ABUNDANCE

A measure of the absolute number of a particular species in an area.

SPECIES DIVERSITY

An ecological concept that incorporates both the number of species in a particular sampling area and the evenness with which individuals are distributed among the various species.

SPECIFIC YIELD

The ratio of the volulme of water that will drain under the influence of gravity to the volume of saturated rock.

SPILLWAY

Open or closed channel, conduit or drop structure used to convey excess water past a dam.

SPIT

A small point or low tongue or narrow embankment of land having one end attached to the mainland and the other terminating in open water.

SPLIT SAMPLE

A sample prepared by dividing it into two or more equal volumes, so that each volume is considered a separate sample but representative of the entire sample.

SPOIL

Overburden or other waste material removed in mining, quarrying, dredging, or excavating.