California Climate Change Glossary
Letter N
Natural Regeneration. A management practice which utilizes naturally occurring tree propagules, such as seed, naturally occurring seedlings or volunteer growth, suckes, or coppice, for the renewal of stack in the forest or for reforestation after a harvesting operation. Natural regeneration is often enhanced by management activities, e.g. seedbed prepar4ation, supply of viable seed, etc. (Australia)
Nitrogen Fertilization. Enhancement of plant growth through the deposition of nitrogen compounds. In IPCC reports, this typically refers to fertilization from anthropogenic sources of nitrogen such as, man-made fertilizers and nitrogen oxides released from burning fossil fuels. (IPCC)
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). Gases consisting of one molecule of nitrogen and varying numbers of oxygen molecules. Nitrogen oxides are produced in the emissions of vehicle exhausts and from power stations. In the atmosphere, nitrogen oxides can contribute to formation of photochemical ozone (smog), can impair visibility, and have health consequences; they are thus considered pollutants. (EPA)
Nitrous Oxide (N2O). A powerful greenhouse gas with a global warming potential of 320. Major sources of nitrous oxide include soil cultivation practices, especially the use of commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass burning. (EPA)
Non-linearity. Process without a simple proportional relation between cause and effect. The climate system contains many non-linear processes, resulting in a system with very complex behavior which may lead to rapid climate change. (Lenn)
No Regrets. Measures whose benefits - such as improved performance or reduced emissions of local/regional pollutants, but excluding the benefits of climate change mitigation - equal or exceed their costs. They are sometimes know as "measures worth doing anyway." (APCC)
No Regrets Mitigation Options. Those whose benefits, such as reduced energy costs and reduced emissions of local/regional pollutants, equal or exceed their cost to society, excluding the benefits of climate change mitigation. They are sometimes known as "measures worth doing anyway." (IPCC)
Non-market Damages. Damages generated by climate change (or some other environmental change) and that cannot be evaluated by a competitive market because of a lack of information and/or the inability to act on the information. (IPCC)