Aspect

(1) Aspect [ Ecology - Landscaping ]
Synonym: Orientation

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names


	The cardinal direction toward which a slope faces. The aspect is important in hilly or mountainous terrain and affects site quality and species composition; Also called orientation. (e.g. North-facing , south-facing , etc.)

The aspect is the orientation to which a sloping land mostly faces in relation to the compass direction (or to other factors like sun, prevailing winds etc.) that is, if you were standing on a hillside and looking down the slope, the direction you were facing would be the aspect of the slope. A hillside facing east has an eastern aspect.

The aspect influences the vegetation growing on shore sites in several important ways. It determines the amount and duration of sun exposure, temperature, and the severity and type of environmental stresses, especially wind, that represents a potential health threat to living organisms. Sun exposure has a profound affect on species. In the hills, the difference between north and south facing slopes can be astounding.

A south-facing slope have the most sun exposure is generally hotter and dryer than a north-facing and has warm soil temperatures.
A steep east-facing slope have progressively less exposure. will receive full sun in the morning during summer but be in shade by afternoon. And has cool soil temperatures
A slope oriented towards the west will be exposed to the sun throughout the afternoon and evening during long summer days.
North-facing slopes are generally colder.

The influence of aspect is complicated by topographic features such as canyons and stream courses, causing complex local microclimates that can support radically different plant communities within a small geographical area.

(2) Aspect [ Ecology - Landscaping ]


	The visual first impression of vegetation at a particular time or seen from a specific point

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Holdfast roots [ Botany ]
Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Some species of climbing plants develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place.

Climbing plants, like the poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place. Usually the Holdfast roots die at the end of the first season, but in some species they are perennial. In the tropics some of the large climbing plants have hold-fast roots by which they attach themselves, and long, cord-like roots that extend downward through the air and may lengthen and branch for several years until they strike the soil and become absorbent roots.

Major references and further lectures:
1) E. N. Transeau “General Botany” Discovery Publishing House, 1994