Essential Variables and Separable Sets in Universal Algebra
  The study of essential and strongly essential variables in functions defined on finite sets is a part of $k$-valued logic. We extend the main definitions from functions to terms. This allows us to apply concepts and results of Universal Algebra. On the basis of the concept of a separable set of variables in a term we introduce a new notion of complexity of terms, algebras and varieties and give examples. 
Slavcho Shtrakov, Klaus Denecke