Changes to the Water Cycle Flashcards
What are 5 changes to the water cycle?
- seasonal changes
- water abstraction
- deforestation
- farming practices
- land use change
How does deforestation impact the water cycle on a smaller scale?
- reduced interception
- more surface runoff and more infiltration
- increase river discharge
How does large scale deforestation impact the water cycle?
- reduced evapotranspiration
- reduced rainfall
- so less water in a drainage basin system, more water elsewhere
How does irrigation impact the water cycle?
reduces water in river channels
How does ploughing soil impact the water cycle?
- increases pore spaces
- more infiltration
- potentially more soil erosion
How does compacting soils impact the water cycle?
- less infiltration
- more overland flow
How does deforestation for agriculture impact the water cycle?
- interception reduced, larger vegetation replaced with arable crops
- however, at least some crops and not urbanisation
Why might urbanisation be a significant factor affecting the water cycle in the future?
population growth putting pressure on urban areas to expand
How does urbanisation impact the water cycle?
- impermeable surfaces
- water enters river channels more quickly
How does water abstraction impact the water cycle?
- less water in aquifers/groundwater
- takes longer to be recharged and can deplete ground water stores
- reduces water flowing to rivers
Why might water abstraction be a significant factor affecting the water cycle in the future?
population growth, especially in countries with less rainfall