Drainage basin - WATER CYCLE

Question 1

What is a Drainage basin?

Answer 1

It can be considered as an open system as an amount of water can change over type, influence over soil type, rock type etc

Question 2

What are the three Fluxes ( rate of flow between stores) in the drainage basin

Answer 2

• Interception is when water is stored in the vegetation
• There are three main ways: interception loss, through fall and stem fall

Question 3

What does interception depend on? ( three factors)

Answer 3

• The type of tree. E.g dense needles of a coniferous tree allows for greater accumulation of water.
• Storm rolling dry period
• Meteorological conditions - wind speed, intensity of rainfall and amount of rainfall.

Question 4

What are the 7 physical factors the affect the drainage basin cycle?

Answer 4

1. Geology - Impermeable/ permeable rocks ( porosity)
2. Topography
3. Climate
4. Soil
5. Vegetation
6. Irrigation (water for crops etc)
7. Dams - river management

Question 5

How do humans disrupt the drainage basin? (3 factors)

Answer 5

Through:
- Urbanisation
- Deforestation
- Change in agricultural use