Components of the hydrological cycle Flashcards
What are the inputs of the hydrological cycle?
Precipitation:
- Type
- Intensity
- Amount
- Distribution
How does the type of rainfall influence the hydrological cycle?
- Snow may take a while to melt, and can cause massive surface run off and a rise in river channels
- Rainfall is easily intercepted and infiltrated
How does the distribution of rainfall influence the hydrological cycle?
If rainfall falls directly into the channel, it will affect the rivers levels quicker than if it falls in the mountains
How does the intensity of rainfall influence the hydrological cycle?
Heavy rainfall means that the ground is quickly saturated, and surface run off will increase.
However it could lead to flooding
How does the amount of rainfall influence the hydrological cycle?
More rainfall could mean infiltration and percolation is increased, so the water table may rise due to more water being underground.
It will also increase surface run off and therefore increase channel flow
Name 3 stores within the hydrological cycle
- Interception
- Groundwater
- Soil water
What is interception?
Refers to water that is caught and stored by vegetation.
What are the three main types of interception?
1) Interception loss
2) Through-fall
3) Stemflow
What is interception loss?
Water that is retained by plant surfaces and is later evaporated away or absorbed
What is through-fall?
Water that falls through gaps in vegetation or drops in leaves
What is stem flow?
Water that trickles along twigs and branches, and finally down the main trunk
What is groundwater?
Water that has infiltrated and becomes subsurface water.
What is soil water?
Water that is stored in the soil, through infiltration
Name 4 flows within the hydrological cycle
- Overland flow
- Percolation
- Groundwater flow/baseflow
- Infiltration
What is overland flow?
Water that flows across the ground surface due to it being unable to infiltrate.
